Afleveringen
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Greg and Ed tackle the age-old question for expats living in Thailand: Should I buy or rent a condo or house? The boys begin by making clear there is not one simple answer to this question, and it depends a LOT on a personâs particular circumstances, such as budget, length of stay, and investment expectations. Nevertheless, there are general questions that everyone should consider when making this decision. Hat tip to a video that ThailandBound posted for providing the brainstorming.
The guys go through seven separate topics, ranging from possible double pricing for Thais and foreigners, to the consideration that must be given to condo maintenance fees and the difficulty of finding repairmen if you are an owner. Further, Bangkok is famous for new construction, and each new building may have amenities that make your 5-year-old building feel (and look) ancient by comparison. On top of all this, there are cultural considerations, such as Thaisâ notorious fear of ghosts and bad luck in general, hence their preference for buying new rather than lived-in residences.
While thereâs no single answer for all expats, everyone planning a long stay in the Kingdom should certainly consider these factors before making such an important decision.
Donât forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know. -
Greg interviews writer and filmmaker James Newman, a long-time expat in Thailand who recently made a documentary film about our beloved city of Bangkok. James starts out explaining his background in London as an insurance executive, his subsequent departure to Thailand, and his career as a writer during the e-book boom of the naughts. Around 2017 he transitioned to filmmaking and made a successful short film called âCrazy Medicine,â directed by friend of the podcast Richie Moore.
But todayâs show centers on Jamesâ recent film, âBangkok: City of Angels,â an attempt to capture the chaotic appeal of Bangkok in documentary form. James discusses his decision to cover a broad arc of Thai history, from a cholera outbreak 200 years ago to the more recent COVID pandemic, explaining that he wanted to show the ways in which history can appear to repeat itself and the ways that Thais overcome adversity.
The two discuss the dozens of significant events in Thai history that have shaped Bangkok, from the founding of the city through to World War II and the Vietnam War. More recently, the film considers the 1997 financial crisis, the various political upheavals, up through the pandemic, during which the film was shot.
While it may be impossible to capture the true essence of Bangkok in one film, âBangkok: City of Angelsâ certainly is a serious effort in that direction.
Donât forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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In a first, the Bangkok Podcast turns its focus on itself as Greg and Ed explain the process by which they create two shows almost every week of the year. The boys begin discussing their approach to brainstorming topics for new shows. Given that the podcast has been around for more than 10 years and there are more than 700 back episodes in total, coming up with fresh ideas is not easy. So the guys tend to mine their personal experiences, the lives of their friends, evergreen news stories that highlight perennial issues with Thai society, and of course, suggestions from listeners. (In fact, if you have any good ideas, please send them in!)
Does the podcast follow a script? Conversationally, no. Greg and Ed simply have a topic and bullet points and they flow from there, but there is a structure to the show that includes background music, cues, and common themes. What about the recording process? Well, as two tech geeks, the guys do take advantage of semi-professional gear. Ed speaks into a dynamic microphone connected to a digital mixer that acts as an interface to his Windows 11 PC. Greg records with a condenser microphone connected to his MacBook Air. They record separately at home while on a Facebook call, and then upload the audio to a Google Drive folder. Greg then typically does the edit, recently with an open source but professional tool known as Reaper.
As for posting, the podcast uses a platform called Libsyn, which allows them to upload an episode to one location and then have it dispersed to multiple outlets.
When it comes to general advice, Ed encourages newbies to go easy on the technology. Today, the barriers to entry are low, and a couple iPhones with lav mics are probably all that are necessary to get started. However, over time, mastering better technology is undoubtedly key to making your life easier.
Donât forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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In a first for the podcast, the boys decide to review a part of the Bangkok Podcast website - the relatively new for Season 4 âResourcesâ section. A few weeks back we posted a page called âSome Thoughts on Thai Culture,â and it elicited some responses from friends of the podcast, so we decided to dig into it.
We donât want to rehash whatâs already there, so if you havenât read it yet, mosey on over and check it out. In brief, the page lists 5 key characteristics of Thai culture: 1) Respect for authority; 2) Being indirect; 3) High context; 4) Fitting in; and 5) No problems. Greg and Ed discuss each, trying to find exceptions and bring some nuance to the characteristics.
At the end, Ed brings up an âhonorable mentionâ: an important characteristic that didnât quite make the top five: Thais also are particularly concerned about appearing proper in public, but in private are no more conservative than most Westerners.
Of course, these are just our opinions and observations - weâd love to hear thoughts, feedback, or dissenting opinions. Listen in for the details!
As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And weâll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.
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Greg interviews our senior legal correspondent Dave Lawrence on the status of marriage equality in Thailand. Listeners may remember that the Thai parliament passed a same-sex marriage bill last year, and it has jumped through a few more hoops and is ALMOST in effect. Dave explains that on January 22, 2025, should be the magic date when marriage between two adults of either gender should be 100% legal and legit.
The guys run through a bunch of different topics, ranging from the history of marriage in Thailand to immigration and nationality, divorce, adoption and IVF. Perhaps not surprisingly, a change such as allowing adults of the same gender to get married has ramifications in many other areas of the law, all details that need to be ironed out in the coming months and years.
Greg and Dave conclude by noting the historic significance of this change in the law in Thailand as Asia in general is considered conservative when it comes to gender and sexuality. There is something unique about Thai culture however that allows it to be more progressive in at least some respects.
Donât forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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Greg and Ed revisit a favorite show theme: Thailand merit badges, achievements by expats which solidify your status as someone truly making a life in Thailand rather than just passing through as a tourist. For earlier merit badges, check out Season 5, Episodes 29 and 60.
Ed begins by bringing up a true sign that you are no longer a noob: learning some of the Northeastern dialect, or âpasaa Isaan.â Both guys confess they have yet to cross this barrier (central Thai is hard enough!). Greg then mentions a true rite of passage, surviving a Buddhist blessing ceremony on your knees. Thai people possibly have genetically superior knees and shins, because sitting on hardwood floors for extended periods of time is not for the faint of heart. Ed then returns to the world of Isaan by referring to the large number of regional cultural festivals that are off the beaten path of most tourists. The merit badge accrues though only if you manage to participate, rather than merely snapping a few pics.
The guys continue, hitting on such key breakthroughs as establishing some âintestinal fortitudeâ when it comes to spicy food and cracking some niches of the Thai language, such as idioms and animal noises. Listen in and let us know how many of these badges you have earned. Also donât forget to check out Waipod Phetsuphanâs fantastic Ding Dong here!
Donât forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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Ed interviews our buddy Phil Allen about his adventures visiting, and eventually living in, the Isaan region of Thailand. Phil begins by explaining his arrival in Bangkok about five years ago as a roving economist working primarily in financial technology. Unfortunately, the pandemic struck and Phil found himself in a very strange situation in a brand new country. He decided to take the aggressive approach and move from AirBnB to AirBnB in different neighborhoods around Bangkok before a full lockdown ensued.
Philâs story continues with his interest in motorbikes. Due to Bangkok traffic, he thought it would be safer to learn to ride in a small town, so randomly he and a friend began to visit Buriram, a town northeast of Bangkok and not too far from the Cambodia border. Thus, Philâs love affair with Isaan began, eventually leading him to Udon Thani, where he currently rents a house while traveling back to Bangkok a few days a week for work.
So what is it about Isaan that is so attractive? Phil discusses many things he likes about the region, from delicious, cheap food to truly engaging people. Ed and Phil talk about the pros and cons of Bangkok vs Udon, and Phil makes an excellent case for putting Isaan on your travel calendar, whether you are a tourist or an expat.
You can connect with Phil on Instagram at newphysiocracy.
Donât forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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Greg and Ed revisit an old topic from Season 2, Episode 48: Do you have to be weird to live in Bangkok/Thaiand as a foreigner? Ed begins by noting that the question depends on exactly why an expat has chosen to live here. Are they in the military? Are they on a corporate package? Are they here for a significant other? These options leave room for fairly ânormalâ people. But what about expats such as Greg and Ed, who seem to live in Thailand without an outside force making it necessary? And of course, what does âweirdâ even mean, exactly? Itâs subjective, but leaving all that is familiar to live in a chaotic city with no guarantees of success seems like a good place to begin.
Greg contends that in some basic ways it IS weird to leave your hometown and your country to live on the other side of the world. The simple fact is that the majority of people live close to where they were born for their entire lives. Ed notes that during his recent trip home for a high school reunion, his classmates treated his living in Thailand as something somewhat shocking and extreme.
Ed mentions that even among âexpats of choiceâ there is a lot of variety, but that itâs also true that expats tend to rarely be boring: they are either interesting in a good way, or interesting in a bad way. There is something about choosing to be an extreme minority in a foreign land that attracts a particular type of personality: perhaps one that craves new experiences or that enjoys the challenge of deciphering everyday interactions.
Donât forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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Greg and Ed begin a new series called âThailand: Land of Contradictionsâ with the first installment addressing a fascinating, apparent conflict in Thai culture: how can Thailand have so many temples on the one hand, but also so many âworking girlsâ on the other?
The Land of Smiles is well-known as a very Buddhist country, in the sense that approximately 95% of Thais identify as Buddhist. Now many might not be strict in the truly religious sense, but thereâs no doubt that many aspects of Thai culture and society are informed by underlying Buddhist beliefs. However, the country is also very well-known as providing many outlets for adult entertainment and companionship. The guys note that applying standard Western common sense, these two just donât seem to fit together.
However, with their combined over 40 years of experience swimming in the chaotic soup of Thai culture, Greg and Ed do their best to explain whatâs going on through a Thai lens. Ed notes the contrast between the Western notion of âburning in hellâ versus the Eastern concept of âbad karmaâ as well as the difference between a culture based on guilt versus one based on shame. Greg applies some Google-fu and comes up with some more academic takes on the issue, including one of weighing a sin against one's intentions while carrying out the sin. The boys do their best to make sense of it.
Experts they are not, but listen in for two amateurs with a lot of experience doing their best to resolve this apparent mystery of Thai culture.
Donât forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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Greg interviews James Clark, the founder of Future Southeast Asia, a website and newsletter focused on transport and urban development in Southeast Asia. The guys begin with the most exciting developments in Thailandâs railway system, and James mentions the 250 km/hr high speed rail which will run from Bangkok to Nong Khai and then on into Laos and China. The standard rail should also be finally extended to Chiang Rai in the next few years.
Greg and James then go on to discuss various development projects that have been in the works for years: the widening of Saphan Taksin bridge, the extension of BTS beyond National Stadium, and the bridge from the mainland to Koh Samui. The guys also cover important issues such as the cost of the BTS and MRT for the average Thai worker, as well as the pursuit of a unified payment system across all public transportation.
Tune in for a great overview of all the exciting upcoming improvements to Thailandâs transportation infrastructure.
Donât forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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Greg and Ed discuss one of the pillars of Thai culture, the general attitude of âmai pen raiâ or âno problem.â As the guys have mentioned many times, this attitude is one of the main reasons that living in Thailand is so enjoyable for expats. Thai people tend to be less confrontational, less prone to anger, and less likely to take offense than Westerners, making living in âThe Land of Smilesâ a fairly easy transition for most people. But can this approach be taken too far? The guys think so.
A recent tragedy involving a bus accident that resulted in the deaths of over a dozen children sparked the discussion. While the investigation into the accident is still in its early stages, it appears the bus failed to meet safety regulations. Ed notes that this tragedy mirrors the infamous New Yearâs Eve fire at Santika nightclub in 2009 that took 67 lives, largely due to unenforced fire safety laws. The simple truth is that often in Thai society people relax when it comes to preparing for the worst: itâs much easier to blow things off in order to save effort and money. Both guys agree that this is a clear example of âmai pen raiâ going too far. Sometimes you need to be strict and confrontational in order to compel compliance with certain laws; the harms that can result from being too lax are simply too great to bear.
Ed notes that the question really comes down to one of good judgment. Thais seem to have mastered the ability to relax when it comes to a lot of ârulesâ that in the end donât actually seem to affect quality of life very much. However, as the current tragedy shows, there are times when ârelaxingâ is not the best approach.
Donât forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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Mental health in Thailand has never really had its time in the spotlight, but things are slowly changing as more and more Thais realize that taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health.
On this episode we are joined by Amy Pothong, a licensed counselor and founder of Golden Leaf Therapy and Counseling in Phuket.
Amy walks us through the landscape of mental health in Thailand, including some of the reasons that the subject is often taboo, with elders usually preferring to shush things up rather than make a scene and upset the apple cart. Generational dynamics, family responsibilities and strict cultural expectations can all play a part, and the resulting mix can be quite a complicated web to navigate.
Amy also talks about the difference between Thai and foreign cultures, likening the contrast to a peach vs a coconut. In a peach culture people are friendly and soft on the outside, but once you get closer, you find a hard, private core thatâs hard to penetrate. However, coconut cultures have a hard shell on the outside, but once you get past that youâll find that they are soft and easy to get close to.
She also helpfully provides some references for trusted resources to use if you think you might like to talk to someone about mental health: the hotline 1323, and Samaritans of Thailand, which has service in both English and Thai.
Donât forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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In our semi-annual update on Thai politics, Ed does his best to explain the current situation and how Thailand arrived here over the last ten years. He begins with the framework that defined Thai politics for almost 15 years: one party led by the Shinawatra clan that was populist and relied on the support of Thai farmers in the Northeast and the conservative Democratic Party and military establishment that represented the middle class and above relied on support from Bangkok. While the populist party dominated at the ballot box, it led first to a coup in 2006 against the patriarch Thaksin, and then to a coup in 2014 against his sister Yingluck.
The result was a military government for five years until the elections of 2019. Largely due to a very biased Constitution, the military squeaked out a virtual tie with a new version of the populist party, but close behind was a new player on the scene: the truly progressive Future Forward Party, which was primarily supported by younger Bangkokers. However, the conservative Constitutional Court would go on to ban the party and its leaders. The military was able to build a coalition to choose one of the coup leaders as the Prime Minister.
Four years later in May of 2023, now with a less-rigged Constitution, the military and Democratic parties would get wiped out and shockingly, the new iteration of the progressive party would win outright, seemingly altering Thai politics forever. As has become the norm in Thai politics, the drama continues to unfold. Listen in for the rest of the story.
Donât forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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Greg and Ed discuss the âdelivery lifestyle,â the habit of staying at home and relying on delivery services to bring food and products straight to your doorstep. Both guys admit to slipping into this habit, but Greg enjoys getting out more and tooling around town in his fancy automobile, so itâs Ed that has really embraced this habit. The question is this: Is it good or bad?
Ed begins with some obvious pros: itâs super convenient and allows you to avoid the stress of traffic and crowds, something Bangkok is infamous for. The options for delivery are endless, such that itâs possible to basically order ANYTHING you want, whether from within Thailand or from China. And the actual costs of delivery are low.
But what are the downsides? Greg brings up the danger of becoming a homebody and missing out on the social interaction of shopping and running errands in a city thatâs simply just fun to explore. Ed concurs that the expat bubble is already bad enough and actually forcing yourself to interact with Thai people in malls and markets is probably a good thing. Other risks include overspending and dealing with frustrating miscommunications and logistical snafus.
Last, Greg brings up the problem of misleading marketing by delivery companies that front as ârestaurantsâ when they are really just âghost kitchensâ without public space at all, which can be a psychological letdown to someone yearning for a bit of social activity at their favorite restaurant only to find itâs simply a kitchen with a lineup of Grab drivers out front.
Donât forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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Greg welcomes back Patrick Winn to the podcast, an intrepid writer and expert on all things dark and shady in Southeast Asia. He previously appeared on the show to discuss his book âHello Shadowlands,â and he returns to explain his new work, âNarcotopia: In Search of the Asian Drug Cartel That Survived The CIA.â Patrick begins by explaining the unique political situation that the country of Myanmar is in right now. Besides a literal civil war, portions of the country, such as the âWa Stateâ in the northeast, are essentially autonomous, self-governing areas. Patrick explains that free travel in and out of the area is generally not permitted, and if you just showed up, you would be detained and interrogated by the Wa State Army.
Next, Greg asked the genesis of Patrickâs new book. Patrick explains that heâs been fascinated by the âstate within a stateâ for over a decade and has struggled to find an opportunity to interview any important Wa leaders, due to the fact that the Wa State is notorious for being a manufacturer of methamphetamine pills. In fact, some prominent Wa leaders are actually wanted by the U.S. DEA. Patrick recounts a fascinating story of how he managed through an intermediary to finally make contact, and the resulting interview and subsequent research constitutes the backbone of his book.
The guys continue with a twisting tale of the DEA and CIAâs surprising relationship with this mysterious subculture inside of the already complex state of Myanmar, and the effect its having on Thailandâs middle class, which is a huge consumer of the infamous drugs that the country produces.
Donât forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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Putting on their best tarot reading hatâŠor numerology hatâŠor tea leaf hatâŠwhateverâŠGreg and Ed make their best prognostications about the future of Bangkok, relying only on their accumulated wisdom and experience. Greg begins by asking Ed whether Bangkok will ever solve its âsinkingâ problem, and Ed responds pessimistically. Although the science is clear that the sea is rising and Bangkok is sinking, the government does not seem to be taking any drastic action to address the impending calamity, a la the film âDonât Look Up.â Certainly, SOMETHING will have to be done, but Ed expects it to be too little, too late.
Ed then asks Greg whether Thailand will ever have to give up its âpragmatic neutralityâ and make a choice between China and the U.S. Greg argues that Thailand will do its best to avoid making such a choice, but if a conflict does occur between the two superpowers, Greg thinks Thailand will likely choose to side with China, for proximity and cultural reasons.
Greg then wonders what Ed thinks about the future of high speed rail in Thailand. On this topic, Ed is more optimistic: thereâs something about public transportation that the government has figured out, and Ed expects that multiple super fast, modern rail lines are coming in the near future. Ed then queries Greg about his thoughts on Nana Plaza, the legendary red light complex on Sukhumvit that happens to be located on prime real estate. Greg reluctantly predicts that the owners are likely to eventually cave to some mega condo or mall project.
The guys continue with some predictions on Thai politics and older malls in Bangkok.
Donât forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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Greg interviews Dominic Faulder, associate editor at Nikkei Asia, long-time journalist in Southeast Asia and observer of the political and diplomatic machinations of Myanmar, and Thailand and Vietnam over the past 40 years.
The main thesis of the episode is this: How should a country such as Thailand respond when its neighbor Myanmar is in the midst of a destabilizing civil war? Dominic begins by pointing out whatâs different about the current situation compared with events in its turbulent past. Myanmar has suffered various military coups, but traditionally the opposition to those coups has been splintered and factionalized. However, after the most recent 2021 military takeover, opposition groups unified, plunging the country into a genuine civil war.
So what does this mean for Thailand? According to Dominic, the long jungle border between the two countries is essentially impossible to police, opening up the real possibility of a massive refugee crisis in Thailand. In the long run, the military cannot succeed in running the country, and no exit strategy seems apparent for the generals. Dominic notes that if an even more severe food crisis occurs, as it did in Pol Pot's Cambodia in the years after the Vietnam War ended in 1975, hundreds of thousands of Burmese could spill across the Thai border.
Greg and Dominic continue discussing the perilous situation and what it means for the business-minded generals and military-minded diplomats in charge of Thailand in terms of diplomacy, military and economic outcomes as Dominic recounts Burmese history since independence and clarifies the difference between past instability and the current all-out civil war.
Donât forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.
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Greg and Ed discuss some negative expat stereotypes - roughly the person you (probably) donât want to become while living in Thailand...at least forever. We all fall prey to stereotypes sometimes - they have to come from somewhere - but if youâre not careful, you can become comfortable with some of these lifestyles and before you know it, they come to define your new identity in your new home, and suddenly youâre known as The Whiner, or The Apologist.
And thatâs just the beginning! Heaven forbid that people start to know you as The Premature Pontificator, or The Creep, The Slob, The Bubble Boy or The Player. Like we said, itâs hard to escape most of these all the time, but Bangkokâs mai-pen-rai lifestyle is addictive, and trust us - before you know it, a decade has gone by and youâre still wearing that old Chang singlet out to dinner that you bought when you first arrived on Khao San Road (thatâd be The Slob). Have a listen and see how Greg and Ed define these common tropes.
Donât forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And weâll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.
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On part 2 of 2 Greg continues his interview with returning show favorite, Phra Pandit on the Buddhist interpretation of the Seven Deadly Sins of western religion. Without wasting any time they pick up where they left off last week and dive right into it with sloth, one of Gregâs favorites. Defined in Buddhism as âtorporâ or âindolenceâ Phra Pandit explains that in Buddhism this trait tends to hinder meditation, and can lead to someone being withdrawn and apathetic, which of course is not something any good Buddhist should do. Also includes a sly critique on Millennials from Phra Pandit.
Next up is wrath, defined as uncontrolled feelings of anger, rage and hatred. Phra Pandit gives a personal anecdote where he was approaching this emotion with a taxi driver while dealing with an empty stomach, but notes that anger tends to be delusionary while leading you astray if you are not in control of your emotions.
Envy is next, characterized as a sad or resentful covetousness of the possessions of someone else. Noting that jealousy and envy are two different emotions, Phra Pandit makes a connection to people using this emotion when they think that life isnât fair.
Finishing off with Pride - considered the âmost demonicâ of all sins - Phra Pandit comments that SOME pride is healthy - pride in your accomplishments, your kids, your hard work - but when it crosses over into arrogance is when things can get out of hand.
Donât forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And weâll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.
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Greg interviews returning show favorite, Phra Pandit on the Buddhist interpretation of the Seven Deadly Sins of western religion. After a brief introduction explaining Phra Panditâs current (temporary) abode in Toronto, Canada, the guys get down to business. First, Phra Pandit notes that in his work with highly varied groups of people, there is often agreement on âgoodâ and âbadâ qualities in people. That being said, he notes that not every religion would necessarily value each quality equally.
Greg jumps in with his favorite sin of âLust,â and Phra Pandit says that âimproper sexual conductâ is prohibited in the Five Precepts that Buddhists are expected to follow. He discusses how the term âimproperâ can be interpreted, with an emphasis on the harm being caused in a particular case, rather than specific rules.
Next up is âGluttony,â practically the theme of the Bangkok Podcast. Interestingly, Phra Pandit discusses the issue of overweight monks in Thailand and points out that the precepts actually allow monks to eat sugary snacks in the evening, while most people think that monks are prohibited from eating entirely. However, monks are prohibited from âovereating,â which is parallel to the most basic meaning of âgluttony.â
The two mean continue with a couple more of the sins on this Part One of a two-part series.
Donât forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And weâll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.
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