Good Road

Bangkok, Thailand: River Of Change

Earl Bridges and Craig Martin are introduced as co-hosts of The Good Road. They invite viewers, they call "do-gooders," to explore change-makers in the world of philanthropy. Returning to their "hometown" of Bangkok, the show starts with nostalgia and noodles as they recall their childhood in the city. Next, Craig and Earl take a train to Ayutthaya, exploring Thai history, and the importance of the Chao Phraya river. They then visit an illegal community along the river called Klong Toey, and discover many good things happening amidst the poverty that abounds. Earl spends the day with the founder and namesake of the Duang Prateep Foundation and learns the many reasons that living in the Klong Toey slum is so difficult. But, he also learns how Duang Prateep is making a difference in the lives of the residents. Meanwhile, Craig explores one of the foundation's Thai kick-boxing youth programs and learns first-hand what it's like to get his butt kicked in the ring. From there it's on to Wat Paknam, one of Bangkok's most unique Buddhist temples. The duo is led around by monk Phra Pandit Bhikkhu to learn a little about the way of life and culture of a Buddhist monk. This wry monk of British origins has unique perspectives on the way of the Buddha against the backdrop of this sacred space. At day's end, Earl and Craig wind up back on the river to learn about the Thai government's plans to install a 50-kilometer promenade along the river. Mr. Yossapon Boonsom, founder of the Friends of the River (an activist group hoping to raise awareness around the promenade), takes the two on a tour and explains the potentially devastating effects that the promenade will have for residents living along the Chao Phraya. This journey leads viewers through Bangkok, a city of beauty and intrigue. It also explores what it means to engage in one's local community in a positive way regardless of formal occupation, religious affiliation or economic status.