On this episode of Brewed in Bangkok, Siddhant meets Stephen Saad, a former banker that has become an author and book distributor in Thailand. Stephen has written two Thai language books (check them out through the links in the “Resources Mentioned” section below) and is now writing his third. Arun Press is Stephen’s small book […] Source
On this episode of Brewed in Bangkok, Siddhant meets Stephen Saad, a former banker that has become an author and book distributor in Thailand. Stephen has written two Thai language books (check them out through the links in the “Resources Mentioned” section below) and is now writing his third. Arun Press is Stephen’s small book distribution business and through Arun Press, he helps English-language writers get their books published and placed in stores such as Asia Books right here in Thailand.
Before he moved to Bangkok, Stephen was a banker working mainly in compliance and regulation and even had a brief stint in Thailand before moving back to the UK and weathering the 2007-2008 financial crisis. Listen to Stephen talk about the role of banking regulators, the impact of the crisis on banking around the world, learning the Thai language from books, and much more!
About Stephen Saad
founder of Arun Press
author of 100 Thai Words That Make You Sound Thai: Thai For Intermediate Learners
author of 100 Thai Words To Start Speaking Thai: For Absolute Beginners and Tourists
is from the UK
once sold banking software in Thailand
worked in large banks in the UK
lost his job during the financial crisis
became a regulator
moved back to Thailand to take a break from banking
has made some sound investments in Bangkok condos
Topics Discussed Today
selling banking software in Thailand
making the move to banking regulation
disillusionment with the banking sector
too much or too little banking regulation?
the banking situation in Asia
Thailand and Thai culture in today’s economy
writing books about learning Thai
why expressing yourself in Thai within a context is impressive
learning Thai from non-Thais has its benefits too
the difference between Thai language books and Thai language classes
rookie mistakes of “Wai-ing”
getting into the book distribution business
Resources Mentioned
Stephen Saad on Linkedin
100 Thai Words To Start Speaking Thai: For Absolute Beginners and Tourists by Stephen Saad
100 Thai Words That Make You Sound Thai: Thai for Intermediate Learners by Stephen Saad
Essential Thai by James Higbie
Credits
I had some help with this episode: Lou Pobjecky kindly helped me with a lot of the necessary audio edits to get the file in a listenable shape. Lou also put together the cover image.
Want More?
Check out the complete collection of Brewed in Bangkok episodes.
On this episode of Brewed in Bangkok, Siddhant meets Stephen Saad, a former banker that has become an author and book distributor in Thailand. Stephen has written two Thai language books (check them out through the links in the “Resources Mentioned” section below) and is now writing his third. Arun Press is Stephen’s small book distribution business and th...