From Coffee to Conflict: Kenyan Ambassador Lindsay Kiptiness [S5.E32]

Greg interviews Lindsay Kiptiness, the Kenyan Ambassador to
Thailand. Ambassador Kiptiness begins by introducing himself and
explains his responsibilities as ambassador to Thailand, Laos,
Vietnam, Cambodia and Burma. He explains his unfortunate arrival
during COVID times, and his desire to really explore Thailand
when it fully re-opens. The Kenyan healthcare system is behind
Thailand's, but he notes that Nairobi did serve as the center of
COVID treatment for UN officials. 


Greg asks the Ambassador about Kenyan products, and the
Ambassador regales Greg with pitches for Kenyan coffee and Kenyan
purple tea. No, that's not a typo, and the Ambassador assures us
it is the best tea in the world. :) 


The conversation continues on to cover cultural
misconceptions, the fickle nature of the global community in
times of crisis, and the expatriate Kenyan (and African
communities) in Thailand, which is growing, and the Thai
community in Kenya, which unfortunately is not. Greg and the
Ambassador discuss the reasons for this, and the Ambassador
contends there is simply not enough information about Kenya and
Africa in Thailand. In fact, the Ambassador makes the point that
Greg has made many times on the podcast: all expats are to some
extent ambassadors for their home country, and Mr. Kiptiness
encourages all Kenyans in Thailand to do their best to promote
their home country. 


Don't forget that Patrons get the ad-free
version of the show as well as swag and other perks.
And we'll keep our Facebook,
Twitter, and LINE
accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or
whatever you want to share.