Brewed in Bangkok | Stories From Thailand's Capital

On this episode of Brewed in Bangkok, Siddhant learns more about leadership in Thailand from leadership development expert, Dr. Larry Persons. CQ Leadership Consulting, based in The KMUTT Knowledge Exchange for Innovation Center (KX) , is Dr. Person's base of operations, but he has spent most of his life growing up in Thailand, which gives him a unique perspective on the country.

Born in the province of Loei in the 1950s, Dr. Persons grew up in rural Thailand as his parents, who were Christian missionaries, were based there. Loei was not his home for too long as he was sent to boarding school in Vietnam. However, the war curtailed his education there and he was evacuated and sent back to Thailand.

Dr. Persons spent the rest of his school life at a Malaysian boarding school and returned to the United States for his undergraduate degree in Psychology. But America could not keep his interest for too long and he was back in Bangkok trying to find work. He spent many years working in non-profit organizations before starting to work with Thai people on their leadership skills. This led to his PhD in Cultural Studies and the concept of leadership in particular.

'The Way Thais Lead – Face as Social Capital' is his groundbreaking book about how leadership in Thailand works, and is a fascinating and in-depth look for outsiders. Dr. Persons and his wife, through CQ Leadership Consulting, have coached executives across Thailand to become better leaders. He also continues to share his insights at universities and conferences all over the world. 

About Dr. Larry Persons

* Born in Bangkok to Christian Missionary parents but moved to Loei almost immediately* Lived in Loei as a child* Went to boarding school in Vietnam during the war* After leaving Vietnam because of the war, he completed his schooling in Bangkok and then Malaysia* Undergraduate Degree was in Psychology* Worked in the US for a few years before moving back to Thailand* Began training Thai leaders upon his return* Working on 'Face' and leadership inspired him to get a PhD in Cultural Studies

Topics Discussed

* What does CQ Leadership do?* Living in Loei during the 1950s* Spending time away from home as child* Learning about different Asian cultures early on in life* Ethnocentrism* What drew him to leadership* The idea of 'Face'* Three sources of power that are available to Thai leaders* How systems of power are used in Thai management* Combining authority with influence* Benefactors and Thai people* What is 'Face' in Thailand?* Breaking down important concepts about 'Face' from his book* What are the most common questions about Thai leadership?* Coaching executives* The strengths of Thai leadership* Building trust with Thai staff* Barami Leaders: The Ideal Thai leaders

Resources Mentioned

* The Way Thais Lead: Face as Social Capital* CQ Leadership* KMUTT Knowledge Exchange for Innovation Center (KX)

On this special episode of the Brewed in Bangkok podcast, Siddhant got a chance to chat with Grace Robinson, an assistant producer of the 'The Cave'.

The movie is based on the rescue of the Wild Boars football team from caves in Chiang Rai, Thailand in 2018. It was a national story that become an international story and culminated in a miraculous ending. Grace talks a little bit about making the movie but we also had a chance to talk about her time in Thailand as well.

From studying about Thai culture and the Thai language abroad to living in Chiang Mai as a journalist to even working in many media roles in Bangkok, Grace has seen many facets of Thailand. We discussed learning Thai abroad, gentrification, domestic tourism and many other topics in this episode.

About Grace

* From Lancaster, United Kingdom* Studied Thai Culture at the University of Leeds* Spent one semester in Chiang Mai University* Finished an MA in research on Thai Culture, specifically the Floating Market* Spent time in Chiang Mai as a Deputy Editor at CityLife Magazine* International Relations Liaison for the Thailand Amateur Boxing Team* Worked as a presenter on Thai television (Voice TV)* Worked on 'The Cave' as a producer* Founded her own business in the UK called 'Eden Assistants', a virtual assistant service

Topics Discussed

* Studying Thai Culture from Abroad* Learning and Speaking Thai in the UK* Chiang Mai has changed* Gentrification and malls outside Bangkok* Going to University in Chiang Mai* Working on an MA about Thai Culture* The story of the Floating Market* Domestic Tourism in Thailand* Writing about Chiang Mai at CityLife Magazine* Working at the International Relations Department for Thai Boxing* TV Presenting in Thailand* Getting better at speaking Thai* Helping out with 'The Cave' movie* Thailand Amateur Boxing stint* Living in Phra Khanong before it was 'cool'* Eden Assistants* Collaborating on Future Projects 

Resources Mentioned

* Grace's website* The Cave* CityLife Chiang Mai* The Thai Studies Course at Leeds University* The Amphawa Floating Market* Grace's new company Eden Assistants

On this episode, Siddhant visits the Bangkok International Dental Hospital and meets Lucinda Chen, one of the directors of Bangkok International Dental Center. Lucinda is from Singapore and is a London School of Economics graduate. She moved to Bangkok a few years ago and really dove headfirst into learning the Thai language at Chulalongkorn University before working on BIDC full-time.

With the Bangkok International Dental Center and its many branches, Lucinda has been striving to provide the best dental care possible to the people of Thailand and visitors from all over the globe. BIDC clinics and hospitals are JCI certified (one of the most rigorous and exacting certifications in medicine) and the dentists here are some of the best in the country.

We discussed everything you want to know about dentistry, from the new practice of sedative dentistry to dental tourism in Thailand. Just in case you haven't already, please go see your dentist at least once a year!

Sponsor

* Thaipod101 – Save 25% on any paid program by going to thaipod101.com/coupon/brewedinbangkok

About Lucinda

* Lucinda is from Singapore* Graduated from the London School of Economics* She used to work at Accenture in Singapore as a Business Consultant* She has three children (that love visiting the dentist)* Lucinda is the Director and International Relations Manager of the Bangkok International Dental Center (BIDC), which is managed by the Dental Corporation PLC

Topics Discussed

* Bangkok International Dental Hospital* Dentistry* Medical Accreditations* Settling into Thailand* Understanding the Dental System in Thailand* Bringing high standards to Dentistry in Thailand* What is Sedative Dentistry?* Major Competitors to Thailand's Dental Tourism* Why is Dentistry so expensive?* Dental insurance* Taking Kids to the Dentist* Cosmetic Dentistry in Thailand* Attracting medical tourists to Bangkok* Making plans in Bangkok totally depends on the location* New locations for BIDC* How do Thai Dentists get certification to practice Dentistry?

Resources Mentioned

* Bangkok International Dental Center* Bangkok International Dental Hospital

Want More?

* Complete collection of Brewed in Bangkok episodes* How to Find a Dentist in Bangkok: Clinics, Quality, Prices, and More* Braces in Bangkok: Dental Centers, Treatments, and Costs* BIDC Review: Why It is My Go-To Dental Clinic in Bangkok* A Guide to Finding the Best Dentist in Chiang Mai

On this episode of Brewed in Bangkok, Siddhant has a chat with Stuart Kelly, who is a Public Relations expert. Stuart has spent many years in various countries in the English-speaking world from the UK to South Africa, and finally, Australia.

As a journalist first and then as a PR person for much of his career, Stuart has seen plenty of changes take place in the media landscape.

The discussion is about Public Relations in today's world of digital channels and constant innovation and Stuart has plenty of knowledge to share.

Does PR still have a role to play in this saturated landscape? What's PR like in Thailand?

Stuart answers all these questions and advises us to all become storytellers of some kind After a long hiatus, Brewed in Bangkok is back and better than ever before!

Sponsor

* Thaipod101 – Save 25% on any paid program by going to thaipod101.com/coupon/brewedinbangkok

About Stuart Kelly

* Is the Managing Director of Weber Shandwick in Thailand* Worked as a journalist in Australia before spending most of his career in PR* Moved to Thailand to take on the Weber Shandwick Role* Runs a digital storytelling workshop with the Australian Chamber of Commerce* Loves to catch up on sports on weekends

Topics Discussed

* Becoming a Global Citizen* Subtle Changes around Tourism in Thailand* Is Digital Marketing a part of Public Relations or Advertising?* How has PR changed in this new age of Fake News and media convergence?* Measuring media marketing today* Corporate reputation and values have changed consumer buying habits* Stuart's start in PR* Doing PR for one company vs PR for an agency* Important skills that are great for PR* Storytelling is the way to go* Managing a reputation, during a crisis or otherwise* PR in Thailand* New generation of PR in Thailand* The interaction between Thai media and Thai PR* The shortcomings of Digital Marketing* Stuart discusses Digital Storytelling, his workshop with AustCham

Resources Mentioned

* Thaipod101 – Save 25% on any paid program by going to thaipod101.com/coupon/brewedinbangkok* Weber Shandwick Thailand* Australian Chamber of Commerce Thailand (AustCham) Events

Want More?

* Complete collection of Brewed in Bangkok episodes* Thailand Writing Jobs: Research, Apply For, and Land A Writing Job* An Expat's Guide to Finding Work in Thailand

After a long hiatus, Brewed in Bangkok is back and better than ever before!

On this episode, Siddhant has a chat with Ulrich Werner, a university professor in Thailand that has all kinds of stories to tell about the education system in Thailand.

Ulrich is originally from Germany and has worked in telecommunications for a number of years before a chance opportunity to give a guest lecture in Thailand, changed the course of his life dramatically.

After coming to Thailand and giving the lecture, Ulrich decided to quit his job in Germany and begin his life as teacher in Thailand. For years, Ulrich taught at Ramkhamhaeng University in Bangkok and encouraged foreign students to come to Thailand.

One of Ulrich's contributions of education in Thailand is the website studyinthailand.org, one of the first websites that compiled all the international programs available to foreign students that are interesting in studying in Thailand.

We talked about the Thai education system, uniforms at university, why studying in Thailand is a good idea for some and why teaching in Thailand has been so rewarding.

About Ulrich

- used to work in a German Telecommunications company

- came to Thailand as a Guest Lecturer in Business Informatics

- taught Business Informatics, Management, and Communication and at Ramkhamhaeng University from 2002

- created studyinthailand.org, one of the best resources for learning about international university programs in Thailand

- teaches at Siam Technology College

Topics Discussed

- Getting to Thailand as a lecturer

- Thais love uniforms

- What was it like being a foreign University student in Thailand in 2003?

- Starting studyinthailand.org

- The status of studyinthailand.org

- Do Thai universities want foreign students and what are typical international programs like?

- Great courses to study in Thailand

- Pressures that Thai universities are facing

- What does Thailand have to offer for foreign students

- Why is teaching in Thailand so special?

- The new wave of international students from ASEAN

- Meeting expectations in education

- Growth of STEM fields in Thailand

- Diminished value of a Bachelor degree

- The joy of teaching Thai students

- Thai students on their exchange semesters

- Ulrich's observations as a university professor in Thailand

Resources Mentioned

- studyinthailand.org

- Ramkhamhaeng University (www.ru.ac.th/th/)

- Siam Technology College (siamtechnologyinternational.com)

- Thaipod101 – Save 25% on any paid program by going to thaipod101.com/coupon/brewedinbangkok

On this episode of Brewed in Bangkok Siddhant pays a visit to Gemopolis in outer Bangkok to meet American Jeweler Greg Boudah.

A former US Marine and Iraq War Veteran, Greg found his new vocation in the jewellery business, first as a salesman and then as a manager.

Greg was sent by one of his employers, a Belgian diamond trading company, to open a jewelry manufacturing business.

He spent many years working in jewelry manufacturing with them and an American jewelry company.

Greg and his wife, Emma, who is a trained gemologist, founded Spokes Jewelry Services in Bangkok in 2011.

He is also a member of the American Chamber of Commerce Thailand's SME committee, where he organizes all kinds of activities and seminars for fellow entrepreneurs in Thailand.

Greg and Siddhant talk about the perils of starting a business in Thailand, what the Board of Investment (BOI) is all about, lessons learned from managing Thai people, and why opening a business in Thailand is not as hard as you think.

About Greg Boudah

* former US Marine and Iraq War veteran

* started out as a jewelry salesman before moving up into jewelry manufacturing

* worked in the US in jewelry production before moving to Bangkok with a Belgian company

* started his jewelry business, Stokes Jewelry Services, with his wife, Emma

* is a prominent member of the American Chamber of Commerce Thailand and co-chairs the SME committee.

* has an eight year-old son and has just moved to a new place in Ekkamai.

Topics Discussed

* starting out in jewelry manufacturing in Bangkok

* Thailand's place in the world jewelry market

* gemstone markets in Bangkok

* time in the US Marine Core and part-time jewelry store salesman

* starting a jewelry business from scratch

* bringing some military insights and sales floor experience into a new business

* lessons in management in Bangkok

* setting up a Business in Thailand is more straight-forward than you think

* the pros and cons of Thailand's Board of Investment

* the SME Committee with the American Chamber of Commerce

* working with Emma, Greg's wife in the same company

* settling in Bangkok suburbs and now moving into the city

* living life in Thailand with one foot out the door

Resources Mentioned

* Spokes Jewelry Services (https://www.spokesjewelry.com/)

* Thailand Board of Investment (https://www.boi.go.th/en/index/)

* American Chamber of Commerce Thailand (https://www.amchamthailand.com/)

* Pisut and Partners Law Firm (http://pisutandpartners.com/)

On this episode of Brewed in Bangkok, Siddhant chills out at Fatty's Bar and Diner with the owner, Matthew Fischer. Matthew hails from Wisconsin and it was here that he met Kae, his future wife to be, who worked at a convenience store in his town on her exchange semester from Thailand. It wasn't long before Matthew went to check out Bangkok on his own terms. Through stints as an English teacher and then as a substitute English teacher, who was sent to cover classes across Thailand, Matthew got to experience this country first hand. He and Kae are now the proprietors of Fatty's Bar and Diner, a labor of love that has been hosting folks with a hankering for generous American comfort food and passion for indie music. We chat about the Bangkok indie scene, catching live music in this town, and why drunken leapfrogging is a bad idea on this episode of Brewed in Bangkok!

About Matthew

* Founded Fatty's Diner, a popular bar and restaurant in Bangkok.

* From Wisconsin in the United States and worked as a cook.

* He met Kae, his future wife, who is Thai, at the local supermarket in Wisconsin.

* Breaking both arms, in a freak leap-frog accident, ended his stint in the kitchen for a while. He decided to go to university but changed his mind and visited Bangkok for the first time in 2008.

* Moved to Bangkok and worked a few odd jobs before landing a teaching job and then a substitute teaching job that took all over Thailand.

* Started working at Nomad's, a bar that was formerly known as Noreiga's.

* Worked as a corporate English instructor for Bata, a shoe company.

* Decided to open up a restaurant/live music place

* Started Midwestern Foods, a cheese company.

* Started a restaurant called The Fat Tap in Ekkamai

* He has also released his own music through Panda Records.

Topics Discussed

* Rural Wisconsin and Thai Exchange Students

* Breaking both arms in a leap-frogging accident led to major life changes

* Matthew's teaching job in Thailand

* Learning about programming live bands at Nomad's bar in Bangkok

* The search for a shop house begins

* The ideas for Fatty's

* An oral history of the Bangkok Indie Scene from Matthew's point of view.

* Stifling of Indie music in Bangkok

* Acts that work in Bangkok

* Ups and downs of the Bangkok Indie Scene

* Matthew's favorite music genres

* Matthew's wish list for live music in Bangkok

* Other live music venues in Bangkok

* Cautious optimism and Zoning issues with live music

* Started a cheese making business called Midwestern Foods, which focuses on cheese curds that is popular in Wisconsin. It's used in Poutine as well.

* Started the Fat Tap restaurant with his partners in Ekkamai.

Resources Mentioned

* Fatty's Bar and Diner (www.facebook.com/fattysbardiner/)

* The Fat Tap (www.facebook.com/thefattap/)

* Mind the Gap Thailand (www.facebook.com/mindthegapthailand/)

* Stylish Nonsense (stylishnonsense.bandcamp.com/)

* Revenge of the Cybermen (www.facebook.com/revengeofthecybermen)

* Noise Market (www.facebook.com/noisemarketfest/)

* Stone Free (www.facebook.com/StoneFreeMusicFestival/)

* Keep on the Grass (www.facebook.com/KeepOnTheGrassMusicFestival/)

* Degaruda (degaruda.bandcamp.com/)

* LowFat (www.facebook.com/lowfat.hardcore/)

* The Young Wolf (youngwolfhc.bandcamp.com/)

* Panda Records (www.facebook.com/pandarecs/)

* Matthew's Band Camp Page – (matthewfischer.bandcamp.com/)

* Bird Sound (th-th.facebook.com/Birdsoundrecord/)

* Comet Records (www.facebook.

Amidst the soccer fever that gripped the world, Siddhant had the opportunity to chat with Anthony Ampai, the captain of Bangkok United, an elite soccer club in Thailand.

Anthony grew up in the United States and he was surrounded by all kinds of sports growing up. His big break in soccer came when he was just a young boy and he had a successful trial with the national team. As a young player, he grew in the US Soccer Development Academy in Florida and had the opportunity to travel to new places around the world and play against the best in his age group.

After his stint in college, Anthony got his chance to play in Major League Soccer in the US and that's when his career really began to take off. After a couple of good seasons at the San Jose Earthquakes, Thai scouts came to check on this half-Thai midfielder that possessed excellent stamina and technique.

Anthony has played for Buriram United and the Thailand National team but he has been at Bangkok United for many years now. We talked about working towards becoming a professional soccer player, his life and career in America, coming to Thailand, and learning more about his Thai heritage and how Thai culture is reflected in football.

About Anthony

* Grew up in Texas

* Tried to emulate his dad, who was Thai and loved playing amateur soccer in the US

* Represented the USA in the junior age groups and stayed at the US Soccer Development Academy

* Played college soccer for University of Akron and won a championship

* Played a couple of seasons with the San Jose Earthquakes

* Played one season with Buriram United and won the Toyota Cup and the FA Cup

* Joined Bangkok United, he is now the captain of the team

* He is a full Thailand International

Topics Discussed

* Growing up with American sports

* A Thai-American in Texas?

* Getting into the American soccer system

* Where does Anthony play on the pitch?

* Living in the US Soccer Development Academy

* Playing college soccer in University of Akron and then in the MLS with San Jose.

* Drafted to the MLS by the San Jose Earthquakes

* Playing soccer in Thailand is a possibility

* Buriram United days

* Thailand National Team

* Bangkok United, the early days

* Thai culture and soccer

* How did Thailand become a regional soccer powerhouse

* Business and life outside soccer

* Working with his friend Dragan Boskovic (striker for Thai Port)

* Why Bangkok is fantastic for a soccer player

Resources Mentioned

* San Jose Earthquakes (https://www.sjearthquakes.com/)

* Buriram United (https://www.buriramunited.com/home)

* Bangkok United (http://www.truebangkokunitedfc.com/)

* Anthony Ampai Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/anthonyampai/)

* Anthony Ampai Twitter (https://twitter.com/AnthonyAmpai)

In this episode of Brewed in Bangkok, Siddhant meets up with co-founder of Travelfish.org, Stuart McDonald, in Bangkok.

Stuart caught the traveling bug early in life, leaving Australia for a round-the-world trip that included The United States, India, and Nepal before his penultimate stop in Bangkok. Upon his return to Sydney, Stuart felt a deep connection with South East Asia and he kept returning to visit Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and others countries in the area. It was also around this time that he began writing guidebooks and enrolled in a travel writing class while in Sydney.

It was in this travel writing class where he met his wife, Sam, and the two have been together ever since. Stuart and Sam came on a trip to Thailand when the currency crisis hit the Thai baht, giving the young couple an expected windfall of money and they stayed in Bangkok for longer than expected. Sam got a job at the Australian Embassy and Stuart found employment with them as well. They stayed in Bangkok for seven years before moving to Phnom Penh and then Jakarta. It was in Cambodia that they decided to launch Travelfish.

The McDonalds live in Bali now and they have changed the business model of Travelfish to better suit their audience.

Stuart tells us about traveling in 90s, what guidebooks were like back then, the pitfalls of common travel writing, and the impact of travel on life.

About Stuart

* Co-founder of Travelfish.org, a website that creates travel guides without any form of compensation from hotels and OTAs.

* From Sydney but spent a large part of childhood in various port towns in Japan, South Korea, and Italy.

* He traveled extensively from a young age and noticed that guidebooks were not as good as they could be. He met his wife, Sam, while attending a travel writing class in Sydney.

* Sam and Stuart spent seven years in Bangkok. They moved to Phnom Penh, Jakarta, and they have now settled in Bali.

* They founded Travelfish before moving to Phnom Penh and made sure not to accept any junket trips or compensatory stays, so that their reviews remain unbiased.

* Travelfish is now their main source of income and they have switched to a membership model.

* Stuart is also a travel consultant that curates tours for people who are interested in seeing more.

Topics Discussed

* Buying a round-the-world ticket in the early 90s

* The stops along the way before Stuart reached his most anticipated destination of India

* Stuart's experiences and misadventures in India

* Visiting Bangkok for the first time before heading back to Sydney

* Spending the next four years visiting Thailand

* Writing a guidebook

* How Stuart met Sam

* Seven years in Bangkok

* Is travel good for a young couple?

* How were the seeds of Travelfish planted?

* The first steps in establishing Travelfish

* Moving to the various Southeast Asian countries

* "Banana Pancake Trails"

* The ethics of travel writing

* Travelfish's first destinations and why Thailand is Teflon-coated

* Hardships and changes at Travelfish

* Who is the audience?

* Stuart's Sulawesi epiphany

* Travel consulting and how Stuart approaches it

Resources Mentioned

* Travelfish.org (https://www.travelfish.org/)

* The Lonely Planet (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/)

* Australian Embassy Thailand (http://thailand.embassy.gov.au/)

* Tripadvisor (https://www.tripadvisor.com/)

In this episode of Brewed in Bangkok, Siddhant has a chat with Anthony Quinn, founder of Dee Dee Cashback.

Anthony started working in marketing with GAME, a video game chain in the UK before going to Thailand for a very long vacation, which involved working in Phuket for an e-Commerce store featured on eBay.

In Thailand, he met his girlfriend, who would later become his wife, and they ventured back to the UK for 8 years.

Anthony decided to return to Thailand and start his own business, which turned into Dee Dee Cashback.

Learn a thing or two from Anthony about affiliate marketing, working in Phuket, becoming a digital publisher, using cashback services in Thailand, and many other topics on this episode of Brewed in Bangkok.

About Anthony

* Founder of Dee Dee Cashback, a cashback website in Bangkok

* From West London but spent many years in Slough (where they shot "The Office")

* Worked in marketing at GAME, a UK-based video game chain

* First started working on affiliate marketing at GAME

* Applied for an e-Commerce marketing job from a newspaper classified ad in Phuket and got the job

* Spent 1.5 years in Phuket before returning to the UK

* Appointed as an account manager at Linkshare in the UK

* Rose through the ranks in Linkshare and stayed there for 8 years

* Anthony and his wife, who is Thai, moved to London for work; they visited Thailand intermittently during their 8 years in the UK

* Founded Dee Dee Cashback after quitting his job at Linkshare and moving back to Bangkok with his wife

Topics Discussed

* Affiliate Marketing–What is it?

* Working in Phuket for a start-up

* Risk and reward decision for moving to Thailand instead of working in the UK

* Working and professional life in Phuket in the mid-2000s

* How start-up life is different

* What Linkshare does in the digital space and its connection to affiliate marketing

* "Behavioral re-targeting" is a thing

* Bangkok's growth as a city from the late 2000s

* Motorcycle taxis are the "necessary evil"–get an app instead

* What does it mean to be a publisher in the digital space?

* Can non-marketing people become affiliate marketers?

* What is "Cashback"?

* How much money can you make in cashback?

* A small summary of Dee Dee Cashback's business model

* How has Thailand responded to the Cashback storefront?

* Educating the customer about cashback

* How did the name "Dee Dee" come about?

* A rough estimate of how much money can be made by an individual using cashback transactions frequently

* Cashback stacks up with merchant discounts, which is a great tip for savvy shoppers

Resources Mentioned

* GAME (https://www.game.co.uk/)

* Linkshare is now a part of Rakuten Marketing (https://rakutenmarketing.com/affiliate)

* Dee Dee Cashback (http://deedeecashback.com/home)