I just saw a commercial for tonight's Anthony Bourdain/No Reservations. It is a new episode and he's in Thailand. From the preview it looks like he was there for Songkran. I think its at 10PM Eastern on the Travel Channel.

Should be good.

I'm looking forward to it too. I'm a fan. I've been waiting for him to do something on Thailand for a long time.

From what I read, he might have been there during some of the "troubles" last year. Was that during Songkran?

I was in Bangkok in April. I remember Songkran, and I remember the protests in the streets. Seems like they were within a week or two of each other.

Never saw Tony though.

From the Travel Channel website:

Episode Description

Blending influences from India, China, Cambodia and the rest of Southeast Asia, Thai cuisine uses 5 fundamental flavors: sweet, spicy, sour, bitter and salty. In an effort to experience each of these tastes, Tony explores bustling Bangkok and its local street foods. As soon as the crew arrives in Bangkok, they find themselves in the center of a political upheaval. Amid the protests, violence and uncertainty, Tony and the crew make a point of discovering the elements that make Thailand magical.

Hmmm... if I had a tv, I might watch it.

haha kathie; good one. Now is when we rely on our tivo-sportin' friends to record, offload and send.

Kathie- It's likely to be available on youtube at some point. Many of the older episodes already are.

Lori- I wish I knew how to do that with my Tivo, but I don't think it has that option (old version).

I'm gonna record it on my DVR. I'm sure Mom will want to see it.

Kathie,
Google Vuze. Download the free software from their site and "WAALLA", the world of HD TV, movie downloads and E books will be your oyster. All of Bourdain's shows are available to download and watch at your leisure in full screen and of much higher quality than Youtube.

he is boring

brad finds much better places than does he

I would love to show him around Bangkok. I bet I know better places than what he found. We'll find out tonight.

I did get to meet Andrew Zimmern on a flight last year. I thought it was funny that he was in Coach and I was in First Class. He was a great guy.

Brad,
Thank you I had searched for the Laos episode for hours and couldn't find it. It is on right before the BKK one.

Thanks Kristina for Vuze never knwe it existed.

I don't think he's boring.
He is the "King of Snark" though and I find as time goes on, he's more willing to acknowledge it and not take himself too seriously.
I like that he will try anything and not just for shock value (aka Zimmer). I like that he's willing to say <b>exactly</b> how he feels about such people as Paula Deen and Alice Waters (two ends of the food spectrum if there ever was one). I like that Pork is his favorite animal/vegetable/mineral and he searches it out everywhere. I'd say most of the time I enjoy his shows very much.

I do think if you know a place very, very, well you are bound to be disappointed by any kind of 1 hour travel show on it. I felt that way about his show on Los Angeles, for example. My expectations for this show on Thailand are not that high for the same reason.
Brad, I'm sure you DO know better places. ;-)

Thanks for the tips on watching the show without a tv. Perhaps I'll await others' reviews.

Krisitne, I'm curious about where and what he'll choose to eat in Bangkok, but I agree that with a one hour show many of the Bangkok addicts here will fell it is incomplete and disappointing. Still, I'm curious.

I think it should be pointed out that what Shanek is recommending, illegal copyright download, is not legal and many has been prosecuted especially in the States. Yes lots of people do it but you should be aware that you can get heavily fined.

For information on one of the latest case: http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/06/18/...ine/index.html

Hmm... I thought it was software for streaming, not downloading, but it looks like it is for downloading. Anyway, as a Mac user it won't work on my computer.

Hanuman,
I may be wrong, and it wouldn't be the first time, but I believe that the lawsuits have all involved music downloads, not TV shows.

better than i expected, but not the real bkk....way too much emphasis on the riots, but good shots of everyday life....

I thought the show was great. He went to real Thai restaurants & street/canal/river/train stalls.

I understand his emphasis on the riots, I was there. Even the long term expats were worried.