Invading Green Monster Chokes Out Bangkok (2.34)

One of Thailand's most persistent pests - the beautiful but
invasive water hyacinth - is once again clogging Bangkok's
waterways. And while Evo didn't die on a motorbike just yet, a
friend of his is in the hospital after his scooter accident. Maybe
he's rethinking his chosen mode of transport?

Motorbike accidents happen. Though this is Thailand, and
Thailand holds the ignominious title of deadliest place to ride a
motorbike. Last week the inevitable happened to a fellow expat
here in Bangkok, though thankfully on a low-speed collision. Will
it impact Evo's decision to ride? You'll have to listen to find
out. But really, that's not what we're here to talk about.
The Chao Phraya these days is a little more green than
usual. Which sounds good, until you realize the green is from
huge, floating islands of plant matter. It happens every year,
and we've always wondered what it is. Evo took it upon himself to
dig deep and has learned a few things about phak tob
java, or water hyacinth as it's commonly known, or
Eichhornia crassipes as it's known to
botanists. Here are few of the things you'll learn
when you listen to this week's episode



The royal connection for how the invasive species from
South America to Indonesia and finally Thailand


The immediate nuisance the plant causes for those who
make their living on the river


How the plant contributes to Bangkok's flooding, which
arrived a bit early this year


A bunch of management techniques that don't work, and
only one that does


Some good news about how the plant can be used to clean
the water, as a textile source, as biomass to generate fuel,
and possibly a foodstuff


But some bad news about the plant's propensity to kill
fish and incubate mosquitos


A comical tale of how three -- or possibly four --
different government agencies are passing the buck as they say
"not my problem"



Finally, when you fully understand the complexity of the
problem, you'll see why water hyacinth is the perfect metaphor
for Bangkok's bureaucracy. That was meant to be funny,
but...
Love, Loathe, or Leave

If you've only uttered "Hey Dude, where's my car" when
referencing a cult-classic from the turn of the century, you
haven't left your car -- or your motorbike -- in a parking lot in
Bangkok. It's a little maddening. The only good news is that your
bike probably isn't stolen. Probably. Listen in to find out how
we feel about this totally alien concept to us two expats who've
been trained to set the parking brake and -- obviously -- take
the keys. But it's not like that stops people from moving your
ride.
Want more?

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(Direct download .mp3)