How Bangkok's Rivers Shaped its Culture (and Cuisine)

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 16:33:33 +0000

"The River" (Season 1, Episode 1)
Bangkok, Thailand

Born in the USA and raised overseas, with a cadre of friends across the globe, and a passion for philanthropy-Earl Bridges and Craig Martin have a lot of explaining to do,. And where better to start than their own home- Bangkok, Thailand.
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Summary:
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.

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THE GOOD ROAD offers a compelling look at the messy and complicated business of global charity. Hosts Earl Bridges and Craig Martin- longtime philanthropy veterans, globe-trotters, and best friends-set off around the world to places where people are doing good. Sometimes that good is several plane rides away and sometimes just off your own daily commute. Border camps for refugees, 3rd world Neonatal Intensive Care Units and fully armed anti-poaching teams with Land Rovers are only some of the impossible situations they explore in Season One.