Brief Summary
In this episode, Raditya Dika interviews Koi, a Thailand enthusiast, about his upcoming trip to Bangkok, a past real estate scam, his involvement with Ustaz Felix Siauw, and his viral encounter in Japan. Koi also shares insights on Thai culture, politics, and travel tips for Bangkok.
- Koi discusses a planned trip to Bangkok with his office, including a potentially awkward onsen visit.
- He recounts a past real estate scam where he lost money due to a dishonest developer.
- Koi details his involvement with Ustaz Felix Siauw and their collaborative projects.
- He shares his experience of a viral confrontation in Japan while defending a pro-Palestine activist.
- Koi provides travel tips for Bangkok, including transportation and cultural insights.
Intro
Raditya Dika introduces Koi as an expert on Thailand, setting the stage for a discussion about Koi's upcoming trip to Bangkok with his office. They joke about the timing of the recording and potential air date, anticipating it might be a while before the episode is released.
Bangkok Onsen Trip
Koi discusses a planned outing to Bangkok with his office, including a visit to an onsen. He mentions inviting Gilang and Tio, and they joke about the potential awkwardness of the experience. Koi anticipates that people might try to find them at the onsen, so he jokingly suggests a false date and time to mislead potential onlookers. He also addresses concerns about tattoos and cultural norms in onsens, particularly regarding Pras who has tattoos.
Singapore Trip
Koi mentions his plans to go to Singapore for New Year's after the Bangkok trip. He expresses some reservations about being recognized by Indonesian fans in Singapore, considering the potential for awkward encounters while in an onsen.
Real Estate Scam Experience
Koi shares a story about being scammed when purchasing a house, losing 100 million Rupiah. He explains that he bought a property in a new cluster from a developer who had successfully completed a previous project. However, the new cluster never materialized, and the developer disappeared. Koi mentions that he and others, including Zawin, were victims of the scam. He reflects on the lessons learned and how it made him more cautious in business dealings.
Lessons Learned and New House
Koi discusses the lessons he learned from the real estate scam, emphasizing the importance of not being easily swayed by promotions, especially those with religious undertones. He mentions discussing the scam with Ustaz Felix Siauw, who confirmed that such scams are common. Koi then talks about buying a new house for his family, which he plans to renovate into a studio.
Dealing with Sales and Getting Land Back
Koi recounts his attempts to get a refund from the sales representative of the fraudulent real estate company. He describes how the company moved offices without notifying him, and his efforts to track them down were unsuccessful. Koi mentions that some victims were able to reclaim the land, but he personally felt too tired to pursue it.
Business Principles and Trust
Koi shares his principle of being cautious when doing business with people, emphasizing the difficulty of trusting others in real life. He recounts a past property business venture where he trusted his partner, but the contract went missing. Despite the potential for dishonesty, his partner acted fairly when the property was sold three years later.
Relationship with Ustaz Felix Siauw
Koi discusses his initial reservations about working with Ustaz Felix Siauw, given the latter's past radical views. He recounts his surprise at finding Ustaz Felix to be approachable and open-minded. Koi explains that Ustaz Felix acknowledged his earlier radicalism as a common phase for new converts to Islam.
Escape Program and Off-Air Events
Koi talks about his involvement in the "Escape" program with Ustaz Felix Siauw and Rayond, which later included Feren. He explains that his role was to simplify the complex explanations of Ustaz Felix and Rayond for the audience. Koi mentions their successful off-air events in Medan, Bandung, and Jakarta, and their plans for future events.
Japan Trip and Visa Issues
Koi recounts a trip to Japan with Ustaz Felix Siauw and Rayond to raise funds for the Asihin Mosque in Yokohama. He mentions that Ustaz Felix's visa was unexpectedly rejected, leaving them to handle the event without him. Koi shares his anxiety about having to answer religious questions in Ustaz Felix's absence.
Yokohama Event and Emotional Burden
Koi describes the challenges of the Yokohama event without Ustaz Felix, including the pressure to raise funds and the logistical difficulties. He mentions that the event organizers had to offer free tickets due to low attendance, which added to his sense of responsibility. Koi shares that he was overwhelmed and cried after the event, feeling that he had increased the financial burden on the organizers.
Role as Translator and Pesantren Invitations
Koi explains his role at the Yokohama event as a translator and simplifier of complex religious concepts. He mentions that he has been invited to speak at pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) due to his involvement with "Escape," but he declines these invitations, feeling unqualified.
Pak Imam's Hospitality and Lifestyle in Japan
Koi expresses gratitude for the hospitality of Pak Imam, who hosted him and his team in Japan. He describes Pak Imam's generosity and culinary skills, particularly his Japanese cooking. Koi also shares details about Pak Imam's life as a caregiver for the elderly in Japan, working long hours.
Living Arrangements and Viral Incident in Japan
Koi describes the living arrangements at Pak Imam's house, noting that it was spacious and comfortable. He then recounts a viral incident in Shinjuku, Tokyo, where he confronted an Israeli man who was allegedly harassing a pro-Palestine activist named Yusuke.
Confrontation with Israeli Man
Koi details his confrontation with the Israeli man, explaining that he intervened after seeing the man aggressively confronting Yusuke. He mentions that he was joined by others, including people from Yemen and Ghana, in standing up to the Israeli man. The incident was filmed and went viral.
Onsen Reluctance and Wallpaper Story
Koi discusses why he didn't try onsen in Japan, citing concerns about awkwardness with his friends. He then shares a humorous anecdote about Raditya Dika's unique phone wallpaper, which was a list of foods to avoid due to acid reflux.
Health Issues and Bangkok Tips
Koi mentions his past health issues, including typhoid fever, which led him to adopt a stricter diet. He then asks Koi for tips on what to do in Bangkok, specifically regarding food and activities.
Bangkok Travel Tips and Celebrity Culture
Koi recommends trying Kungdong, a marinated raw shrimp dish, and suggests visiting Sayam Center for food. He also shares insights on Thai celebrity culture, noting that it is very vibrant and intense. Koi explains that Thai fans often reserve spots at events by placing items like pens or power banks to hold their place.
Thai Celebrities and Food Recommendations
Koi discusses popular Thai celebrities and recommends Kausoy, a curry noodle dish from northern Thailand, for those who prefer non-raw food. He shares his experience of driving through 22 provinces in Thailand, highlighting the good road conditions and unique sights like signs warning of elephants crossing the road.
Driving in Thailand and Border Conflicts
Koi recounts his experience of driving alone through Thailand, including being stopped at a checkpoint near the Myanmar border. He mentions that he wanted to visit Longneck Karen Village. He notes that while Myanmar is experiencing internal conflict, Thailand is currently in conflict with Cambodia.
Bangkok Recommendations and Precautions
Koi recommends visiting the Sirirat Medical Museum in Bangkok. He advises caution with taxis, as drivers may not speak English or be able to read the alphabet. Koi suggests using metered taxis over Grab for cost savings and recommends staying in the Sukhumvit area, particularly On Nut, for a less touristy experience.
Thai Culture and Tourism Insights
Koi observes that Thai culture is becoming increasingly popular in Indonesia, with many Thai artists performing in Indonesia. He notes that Thai artists often cultivate strong fandoms similar to K-pop. Koi shares an anecdote about being recognized by a Thai official's child, who was impressed by his social media following.
Meeting with Thai Official and Tourism Ideas
Koi recounts meeting with a Thai official and his child, who were interested in expanding a makeup brand into Indonesia. He shares that he advised against using a transgender brand ambassador due to potential backlash in Indonesia. Koi also mentions that Dwika Putra contacted him for ideas on how to attract more Indonesian tourists to Thailand.
Tourism Ideas and Blacklisting
Koi shares his ideas for attracting Indonesian tourists to Thailand, including promoting halal tourism and visiting Phu Wiang, a dinosaur fossil site in Khon Kaen. He reveals that he was blacklisted by a Thai brand due to his past criticisms of the Thai monarchy.
Criticism of Thai Monarchy and Legal Consequences
Koi discusses the legal consequences of criticizing the Thai monarchy, noting that foreigners can be prosecuted for insulting the king while in Thailand. He mentions the case of Andrew MacGregor Marshall, a journalist who faced legal threats for criticizing the monarchy.
Thai Politics and Power Dynamics
Koi explains the complex political landscape in Thailand, including the role of the monarchy, the military, and various political parties. He discusses the history of coups and the influence of the monarchy on political decisions. Koi also shares conspiracy theories surrounding the death of King Ananda Mahidol, the previous king.
Thai Political Parties and Recent Events
Koi discusses the recent political events in Thailand, including the rise and fall of various political parties and leaders. He explains how the Move Forward Party, a progressive party, was blocked from forming a government due to opposition from the Senate. Koi also discusses the role of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his family in Thai politics.
Dissolution of Parliament and Future Elections
Koi explains the recent dissolution of the Thai parliament and the upcoming elections. He speculates on the reasons behind the dissolution, suggesting that it may be an attempt by the monarchy to regain control amid growing dissent. Koi expresses his curiosity about the outcome of the upcoming elections.
Stoicism and Closing Remarks
Koi and Raditya discuss the concept of stoicism and how it relates to leadership. Raditya Dika challenges Tio to shout offensive phrases in the onsen during their Bangkok trip. Koi promotes his upcoming projects, including "Escape" and his donation drive for Sumatra. He also mentions his plans to invite Raditya Dika to his new house once it is ready.
