The Bangkok Podcast

Greg and Ed discuss the long, strange and complex history between Thailand and Cambodia in an attempt to shed some light on the tragic current conflict. Greg begins with some early history. The majority of Southeast Asia was once part of the Khmer Empire based in Angkor. Eventually Thai kingdoms in Sukhothai and Ayutthaya achieved independence, but tension between the two powers was constant. In a complex maelstrom of alliance and conflict, each power borrowed, copied and outright stole selected cultural artifacts from each other, such that untangling the exact pedigree of multiple shared cultural touchstones can be difficult. Like many empires in history, the Khmer power began to wane in the face of territorial integrity, outside threats, inside warring, and eventually, the rise of Thai kingdoms (as well as Viet ones), all of which led to the slow decline of Angkor. In the late 1800s, the Khmers sought the protection of France, who bullied Siam into ceding territory that would eventually become modern Cambodia. Japan played a similar role in World War II. After the war in Vietnam, radical communists took over Cambodia and destroyed many institutions of modernity, but their extreme nature led them to be invaded by Vietnam, who eventually installed Hun Sen as prime minister. When Vietnam faltered in the 80s and 90s, Cambodia turned to China as a patron. When Thaksin Shinawatra, an outsider among the Thai elite, rose to power, he formed an unlikely bond with the Hun Sen clan in Cambodia. However, the recent Shinawatra foray into legalized casinos in Thailand was too much for the friendship, and Hun Sen betrayed Thaksin's daughter, leading to the downfall of her government. Both countries used the incident and long-gestating disputes over the border to stoke nationalist fervor, and provocations eventually led to all out conflict. Greg and Ed agree that while the two countries have clear issues to settle, the ongoing violence can only make matters worse, and diplomacy, with or without the help of Donald Trump, must prevail. Note that this episode was recorded on December 10, so there may or may not have been important developments by the time you hear this.

On this show, Greg and Ed discuss what Greg would do if he was the boss man in charge of Thailand, echoing a similar show with Ed's plans earlier in the year. (Check out Season 7, Episode 54 if you are curious.) Greg begins with an interesting but ambitious plan to establish bike lanes underneath the elevated portion of the BTS and MRT. Ed immediately welcomes the idea, but both recognize what a massive undertaking it would be. Currently there are long walkways under certain portions of the BTS, but there are miles upon miles of essentially unused 'space' underneath other portions that would be perfect for bicycles. Hey, no one said this would be cheap, just better. Next, Greg suggests that a portion of revenue from traffic fines be put towards police budgets, traffic safety programs, and community education based on improved metrics like response time, crime rate and community sentiment. The guys consider the idea eminently feasible and wonder whether it might be implemented already. On that note, Greg talks about his idea to use heavy fines for air polluters in a similar fashion, only to discover that last month Thailand's new clean air bill does just that. Greg continues with a myriad of other bold plans involving expanding sidewalks, planting trees, and installing free massage chairs in malls. Listen in for the details and Ed's always insightful feedback.

Saturday, Dec 6, 2025 at The Warehouse on Charoen Krung Road. Chec our FB page for more details.

On this episode - a classic ReCast from season 3! - Greg interviews Khun Saba, a disabled rights activist in Bangkok. It's a topic near and dear to the Bangkok Podcast, because we want everyone to enjoy Bangkok, which is very hard to do if you don't have full mobility. Khun Saba explains that he became aware of the difficulty of moving around Thai cities, especially Bangkok, after he became disabled, and notes that while physical and structural issues are important, the key issue is really awareness. Simply put, if people blindly accept all the problems with transportation in Bangkok, then of course they will never be solved. Greg asks Khun Saba about a notorious incident in which he broke a pane of glass when he couldn't use the elevator at Asoke BTS Station. The circumstances were unusual and need to be fully listened to to be understood, but the incident highlights the daily frustration of disabled people in Bangkok. Khun Saba also makes clear that his organization fights for the rights of all Bangkokians to safe and convenient access to transportation in the city and not just the rights of people who are actually physically disabled. He describes his dream of making Bangkok a city of truly international standards where all citizens are equal in terms of their access to the city. We urge you to like the page of Accessibility is Freedom - you'll get some great insight into Bangkok from a whole different point of view. As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

First off - if you're in town, join our meetup: Saturday, December 6 at The Warehouse on Charoen Krung Road. Check our Facebook page first before you come just to make sure there have been no last minute changes. In Part 2 of Greg and Ed's interview with John Schachnovsky, the former head of the FBI in Thailand, the men continue discussing John's varied responsibilities in the Land of Smiles, this time focusing on specific cases. John brings up the he played in the Asian Tsunami of 2004 and how the FBI used its technology to help identify myriad victims. John mentions that due to the close working relationship between the U.S. and Thai governments, the FBI would lend a helping hand (often one with advanced technology) anytime it could. Greg then brings up a very current issue - the horrible crimes being committed by cross border scam centers. John mentions that the issue was already hot for the FBI several years ago during his tenure. He emphasizes the unique complexity of such crimes - they involve multiple nations, honchos who themselves often come from other countries such as China, and lower level perpetrators who are themselves often victims of trafficking. To wrap up, the guys get personal and discuss John's love of Thailand and his project getting his wife to agree to stay in the country permanently. Greg and Ed wouldn't know anything about that! Get John's book here!