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 ‘pasaa Isaan.’ 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 ‘intestinal fortitude’ 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 don’t forget to check out Waipod Phetsuphan’s fantastic Ding Dong here!

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