Poet In Bangkok

In Episode 16, Colin Cheney is missing. He was last seen venturing to Puerto Rico in search of a major discovery at the Arecibo Observatory. Meanwhile, fearing his reoccurring Martian Aphasia might lead to his arrest, Donald Quist flees the United States and returns to Bangkok. From Thailand, Donald reflects on America's declaration of war with Mars and the executive order to detain any perceived followers of former Mars colonist, Captain Raymond Shepard. Donald discusses the growing sense of anxiety across the globe as uncertainty about alien invaders continues to aid the rise of demagogues. Sorting through abandoned audio from his last visit with Colin, Donald shares a recording of the pair riding through Boston, Massachusetts, on their way to meet a new sponsor for the podcast. Reminiscing on their work together, Donald ponders Colin's vanishing and if the podcast might be of greater significance than either of them could have imagined. This episode is sponsored by Curio Spice Company, a woman-owned bus

In Episode 15, Colin and Donald speak to arts journalist Kaewta “Ann” Ketbungkan recorded at the Bangkok Arts and Cultural Center a few weeks after the passing of His Majesty--the much beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej. During our talk with Ann, she walks us through an art exhibit honoring the late monarch. She explains how art can allow a society to grapple with crisis while depicting how she inherited her passion for the humanities. She discusses her role at Khaosod English as a lifestyle reporter and her desire to make the "hard stuff" easier to understand. She talks about using discussions about existing art, culture and film, to more safely explore the politics of Thailand and gives an example of how an interview helped her process the 2016 Thai Referendum using The Lord of the Rings and The Shawshank Redemption. She touches on the hierarchies of Thai art circles and delves into the risks of making art when laws limiting freedom of speech carry grave consequences. And Ann gives America advice on how to de

In Episode 14, Colin interviews two young Ethiopian-Somali American poets, Rakiya and Ahmed Mohamed. The interview was recorded at Forage Market in Lewiston, Maine, shortly after President Trump’s Executive Order banning travel from seven predominantly Muslim countries including Somalia. The siblings—one in high school, the other in college—recount their experiences emigrating from Ethiopia and building a life in America. They reflect on how the poetic, playful nature of the Somali language and their discovery of Def Jam Poetry and Spoken Word inspired them each to write. Ahmed recounts the experience of performing at Spoken Word competitions in New York City, and Rakiya reflects on reconciling the many facets of her identity. And they reflect on how they understand the intersecting facets of their Black, Muslim, Immigrant and American selves under a Trump presidency. The hosts discuss comparisons between Thailand and the USA, and the anxiety of repatriation. Colin describes chatting with his daughter about

In Episode 13, Colin and Donald chat with American expressionist painter Chris Coles at BrainWake Café in Bangkok. Chris talks about his choice to reject realism in order to better capture the ugly, primal, truth of the Bangkok nightlife—and the human condition. He shares his thoughts on the role of fine arts in Thailand, how it is intrinsically different than in the West and why his work disrupts some of the narratives propagated by the nation’s upper-class. Chris discusses the origins of “Bangkok Noir,” an expatriate art movement popular around the globe. And, while reflecting on the darker aspects of life in Southeast Asia, he recalls the violence during Bangkok’s political unrest in 2010. Chris also takes time to describe how the sobering, green marshes of Maine resemble the discombobulating, neon-lit, bars of Bangkok’s sex tourism industry. The hosts discuss recent developments to the crew of the Harbinger 2 mission on Mars and report of a hacking at the embassy where ISECG whistle-blower Dr. Pim Weer

Episode 12 is different. Recorded during two meetings at Benchasiri Park in Bangkok--shortly after the passing of Thailand's beloved patriarch, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and then again a few weeks later, following the results of the U.S. presidential elections--Colin and Donald attempt to parse their world in the wake of recent happenings that stand to reshape the national and cultural identities of two countries they call home. In these park sessions, Colin and Donald describe some of the responses they've witnessed. They share their perspectives and explain the difficulty each have faced finding what to say during a period of mourning and transition in both Thailand and the United States. The hosts discuss effects to the production of the podcast, and reveal personal developments that stand to change the dynamic of the show. Donald discusses the growing Martian plant invasion throughout Bangkok, and Colin makes plans for the alien bukrak flower he's been nursing on his balcony. Written and pr

In episode 11, Colin heads to Hanoi, Vietnam, and chats with Burmese poet & visual artist Maung Day. Maung talks about how his early exposure to traditional Burmese songs and poems in school sparked a passion for writing, how--despite extreme military censorship--he sought out American and British literature that excited him, and how he found his own creative voice. He recalls the violent political clashes he saw while residing in Bangkok in the earlier half of the decade, and how he felt a haunting sense of familiarity having witnessed brutal suppressions of uprisings growing up in a Yangon suburb. Maung reflects on the difficulty many immigrants face in Thailand and personal instances of discrimination. He shares his optimism and comments on the exciting, socially engaging, art currently coming out of Myanmar. And Maung explains how the strange alien vines growing across the Earth inspire poetic imagery. The hosts discuss the detention of Hong Kong activist, Joshua Wong, and reflect on the 40th anniversar

In the first episode of the second season, Colin and Donald interview Paul Spurrier, the writer and director of the haunting and affecting Thai-language film, The Forest. Paul talks about the experience of filming in the northeastern province of Issan, and how The Forest explores a part of Thailand seldom seen by westerners. Paul recounts his experiences as child actor and tells us the story of how he became proprietor of Bangkok’s smallest cinema, the Friese-Greene Club. He talks about the fascinating and surreal juxtapositions that seem to define contemporary Bangkok, and explains why he misses the naive way he once saw the city. He talks about the crisis facing the Thai film industry—a crisis of threats foreign and domestic. And Paul explains how his experience making promotional films for Pizza Hut and Britain’s Ministry of Defense has prepared him for making propaganda films for our future Martian overlords. 
The hosts share what they've been up to since the last episode and explain why they've decide

In this ninth episode, the season one finale, Colin interviews Somrak “Som” Sila, art curator and proprietor of one of Bangkok’s coolest venues, WTF Bar & Gallery. While roaming from alley to bar, Som tells the story of how she left behind a successful career as a financial analyst in order to carve out an open artistic community amidst an exclusive art scene and an evolving environment of censorship. She recalls growing up the daughter of a police officer and her desire to rebel against the world around her. She discusses the Dunning-Kruger Effect, reactions to the leaked CCTV footage of an assault on British tourists in Hua Hin, and some of her most memorable and nerve-racking exhibits. 
The hosts receive dramatic news from Mars’ Arsia Base, raising more questions about the disappearance of the Harbinger 1 crew and its possible connection to a strange new aphasia affecting thousands across Thailand, and millions around the world. Donald struggles with his own fractured speech and what to do next, and Col

In this eighth episode, Colin and Donald speak with acclaimed comics artist David Lloyd, co-creator and illustrator of V for Vendetta. David discusses his working class upbringing and how American culture fed his development as an artist. He gives insight into some of his earlier collaborations with Alan Moore and other writers. David also shares his impressions of Bangkok and provides his perspective on the use of his V for Vendetta Guy Fawkes mask by Thai protesters. 
The hosts reflect on life since the destruction of the unidentified objects from Mars, the status of the militarized Harbinger 2 mission, and the appearance of a strange new condition mysteriously affecting people's speech. Colin mentions recent work by Episode 1 guest Kathy MacLeod and Donald takes a stab at explaining what the deal is with gender equality in Thailand. 
 

 
 Special thanks to Nicolas Verstappan and the Faculty of Communication Arts, Chulalongkorn University. Theme music by Reports (reports.bandcamp.com/), and addition

Things get weird(er) in this seventh episode as Colin and Donald sit down with Narawan "Kyo" Pathomvat, creator and curator of the contemporary art library and meeting space, The Reading Room. Kyo talks about starting an arts library in an art community largely indifferent, if not hostile, to a non-profit space devoted to dialogue and discourse. She explains some of the motivations behind Bangkok's conservative art scene, and discusses her past experiences navigating the NYC art world and an abusive relationship. Kyo also shares her plan to welcome the arrival of the giant whale-like unidentified objects that threaten to end the world. The hosts elect to stay home with their families in the hours before the arrival of the "Mars Whales". Donald and Colin reflect on things left undone while dealing with strange signals disrupting the podcast. -- Recorded at Rockademy and A8. Written and produced by Donald and Colin Edited and mixed by Colin. For more information about the Reading Room: http://readingroomb

In September 2015, Dr. Pim Weeresethakul, a scientist working with the International Space Exploration and Coordination Group (ISECG), illegally released a batch of files to Wikileaks. Among the files was an unidentified audio transmission from Mars' orbit. The signal was detected by ISECG in March 2015, but ISECG chose to keep the audio secret. The audio file of the signal spread quickly online and soon became known as the “Murdered by the sky” transmission, due to speculation that the signal contained a message in Morse code. There was an international furor over the release of the documents. Many praised Dr. Pim for her bravery in releasing the files, while others condemned her for causing panic at an undisclosed alien threat. Fearing repercussion, Dr. Pim sought political asylum at the Mexican Embassy in Paris, France. She agreed to a single interview with Guardian reporter Drew Sutton, in December 2015. March 14, 2016, Drew Sutton released the raw, unedited tape of their interview online—perhaps to en

In this sixth episode, Colin and Donald chat with Pan Pan Narkprasert--perhaps more famously known by his drag queen persona, Pangina Heals. Pan talks about growing up as an outsider, and how art and drag taught him to embrace self-expression. He shares his disdain for the pomp and circus of the fine art scene in Thailand, and what he wants his audience to experience through the art of his drag performances. Pan also explains drag in the context of larger cultural norms and prejudices, why the term “lady boy” is so offensive to Thais who identify as trans, and gives his perspective on the giant whale-like unidentified objects currently speeding towards Earth from Mar's orbit.
 
The hosts address their frustration and fear following the discovery of a new transmission emanating from those large mysterious objects set to come crashing through the atmosphere in March. Colin reflects on his youth and faith when Donald explains what the deal is with spirits in Thailand. 
 

 
 Written and produce by Donald and

Our friend Dr. Kenneth Nielson, an acoustic technician with the Trodza Institute at University of Copenhagen, provided us with this new transmission. It is believed to be coming from the unidentified objects--the "whales," as some continue to call them--en route to Earth. Dr. Nielson wrote this in his email to us: "This is the transmission that was picked up by the La Silla observatory in the Atacama Desert, Chile. Dr. G.L. Ghatan, director of the observatory, detected this signal on 16 February 2016 at 3:07:15AM while tracking the objects approaching Earth. Disobeying orders of the Chilean government officer at La Silla, Dr. Ghatan decided to release this newest transmission. According to Dr. Ghatan, the transmission cycles and repeats every 11 minutes 8 seconds. My own analysis suggests that it is non-terrestrial in origin, and similar to the original transmission picked up in March 2015, but not publicly disclosed until Dr. Weerasethakul gave it to Wikileaks in November 2015. " Dr. Nielson wrote later

In this fifth episode, Colin and Donald sit down with Note "Dudesweet" Pongsuang: an artist and—as part of the Dudesweet collective—one of Bangkok’s most revered party organizers. Note talks about growing up queer and working-class poor, and he explains how the Dudesweet parties were created to respond to—and perhaps provide an escape from—social hierarchies in Thailand. He also explains why the landing of the Harbinger 2 went mostly overlooked in Thailand, and why Mars is apparently a lot like Singapore. The hosts discuss the widespread anxiety on Earth in the wake of the approaching unidentified objects many call “the whales." Donald gets heated when Colin explains the deal with expats in Thailand. 
 
 Written and produced by Donald and Colin. Mixed and edited by Colin. Theme music by Reports (https://reports.bandcamp.com/), with additional music by Wannarit "Pok" Pongprayoon of Stylish Nonsense (https://www.facebook.com/stylishnonsense/). Recorded at the Friese Greene Club (www.fgc.in.th/) and Rockade

In this fourth episode, Colin and Donald chat with performer Sasapin "Pupe" Siriwanij, a core member of the avant-garde physical theatre troupe, B-Floor. Pupe talks about how she came to understand social restrictions on the female body and female identity. She also explains how physical theater allows her to pose—and explore—difficult questions about what it means to be Thai in a culture that doesn’t always welcome such questions. The hosts discuss the appearance of the unidentified objects moving towards Earth from Mars—what some are calling “the whales." Donald tries to calm Colin’s increasing anxiety and explains the deal with elephants in Thailand. Written and Produced by Donald and Colin. Edited and Mixed by Colin. Theme music by Reports (https://reports.bandcamp.com/), with additional music by Put Wednesday (https://www.fungjai.com/artist/Wednesday). Recorded at Rockademy (http://www.rockademythailand.com/) in Bangkok. Special thanks to Izotope (www.izotope.com) for audio editing software. Vis

In this third episode, Colin and Donald speak with poet Zakariya "Che" Amataya and Kittiphol "Yo" Saragganonda, fiction writer and Editor-in-Chief at 1001 Nights Editions. They speak about growing up in the shadow of conflicts in Thailand’s southern provinces and the different kinds of censorship that Thai people experience in their daily lives, as well as in literature. The hosts try to make sense of the official confirmation of the mysterious transmission from Mars and a radiation spike on Phobos. Colin explains what the deal is with taxis in Bangkok. Written and Produced by Donald and Colin. Edited and Mixed by Colin. Music by Reports (https://reports.bandcamp.com/), courtesy of Martin Pavlinic. Recorded at the Friese-Greene Club in Bangkok, Thailand. Special thanks to Izotope (www.izotope.com) for audio editing software. Visit www.poetinbangkok.com for the hosts' writings on life in Thailand and more information about our guests.

In this second episode, Donald and Colin hear stories from musician Dino Tarasin, guitarist and vocalist for the Bangkok-based rock band Degaruda. Dino talks about making music inspired by Karen Carpenter and DC Hardcore (a politically-charged kind of American punk) in a country in the grips of social division and military rule. The hosts debate the controversy surrounding the Wikileaks release of the "murdered by the sky" transmission from Mars (supposedly), and Donald explains what the deal is with illegal immigration in Thailand. Written and Produced by Donald and Colin. Edited and Mixed by Colin. Music by Degaruda (http://degaruda.bandcamp.com/), courtesy of Dino Tarasin. Recorded at the Friese-Greene Club in Bangkok Thailand. Special thanks to Izotope (www.izotope.com) for audio editing software. Visit www.poetinbangkok.com for the hosts' writings on life in Thailand and more information about our guests.

In this first episode, Colin and Donald speak with cartoonist and artist Kathy MacLeod about inventing the cartoon versions of herself, why she hasn’t sought out a community of fellow comic book artists in Bangkok, and how painting the sex-tourists of Soi Cowboy helped her clarify why she makes art in the first place. The hosts discuss why they started the podcast, and Colin tries to make sense of "attitude adjustment" under Thailand's military rule. Donald also explains what he and the astronauts of Harbinger 1 have in common. Written and Produced by Donald and Colin. Edited and Mixed by Colin. Music by Reports (https://reports.bandcamp.com/), courtesy of Martin Pavlinic. Recorded at the Friese-Greene Club in Bangkok, Thailand. Special thanks to Izotope (www.izotope.com) for audio editing software. Visit www.poetinbangkok.com for the hosts' writings on life in Thailand and more information about our guests.

This is a portion of what's being called the "Murdered by the Sky" transmission released by Wikileaks on 20 November 2015. The International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) documents accompanying the transmission in the Wikileaks release indicate the transmission was first received in March 2015. ISECG documents refer to the signal as "VLA-2015," after the telescope that first detected it (the Very Large Array in New Mexico). The documents also suggest the transmission could originate from deep space, a re-booting ISECG satellite in Martian orbit, or perhaps Phobos, one of Mars' two moons. Dr. Kenneth Nielson, an acoustic technician with the Trodza Institute at University of Copenhagen, provided us with this re-mastered recording. Dr. Nielson can neither confirm nor deny the existence of the supposed morse-code message "murdered by the sky" that several other astronomers and scientists have detected in the transmission.