Drug Smuggler Broke Out Jail To Avoid Death Penalty | Minutes With Podcast |

David McMillan is a former international drug smuggler who was once on Interpol’s top 10 most wanted list. In his second stint in jail, in Thailand, David was given the death penalty. So he launched an audacious escape from Bangkok’s maximum security prison. David talks us through how he broke out and went on the run from the Thai police.
Warning: this episode contains discussion of suicidal feelings.
Extraordinary Lives is a podcast from the team behind LADbible’s Minutes With. You can watch all of our videos here - / ladbible
We speak to remarkable people who each have a unique story to tell - spies, terrorists, hackers, gangsters, killers, people with particular conditions, and those who’ve lived unreal experiences. These are the stories that resonated the most with LADbible’s audience when they were originally told on Minutes With.
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In this podcast, LADbible’s Ben Powell-Jones sits down with those individuals for a more in-depth conversation, revealing untold tales for the first time.
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[@LADbible]

Thanks to David for his time. For more from David: kzbin.info/door/Ujxjl8n4-pyC0Lro_zewFg

[@araw356]

I'm glad you're ok and sorry for the late reply but I've been away for the weekend o6o6o6o6o6o6{yo-yo p0eee0

[@marywoods6006]

I too find him charming i am 75..

[@Name-it1dt]

I have his Apple Original magic mice if u want it I’m down the street from u or whoever elce had it and threw it out

[@leahsmith8363]

“The only place I never talk is a police station” god! I love him :) what a life.

[@haikaido]

This channel is one of the gems on youtube that need to be preserved for a long time.

[@lifeindeep]

We interviewed David last week. Check it out!

[@loonzuk]

Lad bible picks up on people after the fact

[@Danielle-nz9tn]

This is an awesome channel - I just discovered it and subscribed right away. Really interesting interviews!

[@lifeindeep]

@@Danielle-nz9tn Thanks Danielle!

[@wileecoyote5929]

Lmfao 🤣

[@MrRez808]

This was and still is my favourite story from LADbible. This man has had an amazingly interesting life and the best way of telling it.

[@queenofthebutterflies5212]

Agree with you. He's an incredible story teller.

[@lifeindeep]

We interviewed David McMillan about his life and times as a drug smuggler here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmW6hK2BipVjgsU

[@leehoward8570]

An interesting savage journey through hell and back 50x. Mentally this man in unbeatable.

[@Rosebud100]

He is just a criminal!

[@samteks125]

@@Rosebud100 Inaccurate.

[@rodlesgraham]

"You can't confess on behalf of someone else that's not nice" haha this guy is hilarious. Love him ❤️

[@rosudennis3949]

David seems like the old man that relaxes in front of his house and giving young lads life advice when they feel like everything is crumbling down

[@nazelislam12345]

I neeed talk to David right now

[@rosudennis3949]

@@nazelislam12345 You're not the only one bro, I really need it too, but keep yo' head up, everything passes, be it good or bad things, nothing lasts forever. Just focus on what you can do instead of consuming yourself with negative emotions, it wasn't from David, but I really hope I helped even just a little. Be strong, as long as you don't give up, you shall find the light

[@dau1024]

Sounds like he could be making loads of money offering counseling over video chat 💰💰

[@matthewturner6342]

When he's not selling smack 😅

[@billywalendom]

wow

[@blackrose8643]

"Stealing seemed a bit tacky!'🤣🤣🤣🤣 What a profound human being. Awesome storytelling. 👌🏿

[@stephenlamley541]

A true orator.

[@raolhooley]

Mmmm a wonderful guy..caught with heroin...so honerable ....not ..just another greedy bastard in denial

[@raolhooley]

This guy is making it up as he talks...lol....mars bar creek...the aids wing...necrotic smell..little faces in the moonlight...lol..food trolly takes the corpses out..bullshit

[@Kenan-Z]

David is the Da Vinci of drug world. Once he begins speaking, you can only listen to him. He is the epitome of what we mean by the words charisma and intelligence.

[@theconversation.]

At your level..... Levels above David

[@Trav81888]

This guy is effin hilarious! I love him. Glad he’s back for the full length feature. Thank you LADBIBLE!!!

[@Trav81888]

@@charlesking6759 whatever that means

[@lifeindeep]

We interviewed David on our channel last week! Life In Deep is a bit more in depth...

[@AimeeAimee444]

David’s relays his escape brilliantly. He’s a natural raconteur. When his circumstances were re-enacted, I was on edge and barely breathing. Fascinating man indeed.

[@sueewong5099]

I could listen to this guy all day What a life story

[@lifeindeep]

If you want more David McMillan, check out our series of interviews with him on Life In Deep.

[@jessovenden]

This is probably deeply wrong but as an older lady I find this gentleman charming!

[@blackrose8643]

He definitely is! I'm an older lady too. 🤣🤣🤣

[@bushratbeachbum]

Why is it wrong?

[@SlapRoundTheChops]

Get him banged ladies

[@chickennugget8880]

I'm sure you're charming too.

[@jessovenden]

@@chickennugget8880 Very sweet of you to say so Chicken xx

[@ShowRyuKen]

This is a great follow-up to the earlier videos with David on the channel. Really great to delve deeper into his story and personality, and the host asks just the right sort of questions to elicit good responses. A classy video all round, well done.

[@YourManJam]

Could listen to this fella for hours

[@Zizzle-sg1qg]

Amazing video for my lunch break at work! Thank you! Keep up the great work LAD!

[@dandelionkisss]

I could listen to him for hours. What a wonderful speaker!

[@dougstyles]

David is a legend. He's a well traveled criminal mastermind that actually responds to his listeners and appreciates everyone that listens. Cheers old friend.

[@wojciechturek1601]

I’ll be hearing this after work looking forward ❤ Every story is special

[@shaunattwoodOFFICIAL]

Well done David Macmillan love your podcasts what a life story

[@drdank1295]

Bacon

[@save-sthlm]

@@drdank1295 Your mother's a bacon

[@BeridotSegas]

daddy's got his hat back on

[@benpreston6116]

So glad you've made another video with this man! His story is just unbelievable

[@lifeindeep]

I hope you check out our series of interviews with David McMillan. Fascinating bloke on Life In Deep.

[@wenchegulbrandsen3120]

Unbelievable is the word, yes. He’s a compulsive liar, as anyone who’s actually done time inna thai prison can tell you. Ridiculous story from beginning to end.

[@raolhooley]

​@@wenchegulbrandsen3120yes my thought exactly...a total bullshitter

[@karenmcneill2602]

Thoroughly enjoyed that interview!

[@pipeline8554]

Ive already heard Davids story 4 or 5 times yet i still find the story so captivating and interesting i watched it again all the way through

[@kreepykrawlyman]

There's an Australian mini series about him, it's called Underbelly: the man who got away. Worth the watch 👍

[@pipeline8554]

@@kreepykrawlyman thanks so much for the recommendation

[@kreepykrawlyman]

@@pipeline8554 no worries, you can get it on DVD on ebay as a pack (called the underbelly files also contains two other stories "tell them Lucifer was here" and "Infiltration") or on its own 👍

[@samteks125]

@@kreepykrawlyman Not really, better to read his books or listen to his audiobook

[@ollyit]

whata superb listen, love his style - thank you

[@HenrikKarapetyan]

Wow!! What a character! And I couldn't help looking in his eyes and thinking how intelligent they are! Outstanding man and story. there needs to be a film and HE should play in it himself!!

[@truckermatt4603]

I just recently found this channel not to long ago and I love all the content on here it’s so good.

[@kuluskitur]

😆"I didn't like the idea of stealing things - it seemed a bit tacky" 😆🤣😂

[@biggiesmalls3096]

The guards could have beaten someone to death and this guy would say something like "These guards are some real scallywags". So elegant

[@PlayerToBeNamedLater1973]

When telling a story understatement is far more effective than exaggeration. It's usually the main difference between a bullshitter and a raconteur

[@chriscostello9111]

The cut of his Jib 😂 this guy is definitely a guy you could have a beer and share a couple of stories with

[@tatuloa]

ex

[@MikeC77]

I have seen several of his interviews but this was the best. I would put it down to the quality of the interviewer, who had the perfect balance of intelligent questions and knowing when to be quiet. (quite rare that). Well done.

[@ackec-umsekkruch-ekucki952]

This guy doesn't need a movie made about him, he is the movie!

[@samteks125]

There's already one, but it blows

[@meloloughlin8120]

@@samteks125 what's the movie called and is it worth watching, I look forward to your response, cheers from Down Under,,,..,,.. ,

[@lindahuseyin4210]

Still has a beautiful soul i was addicted to his letters your a good man David x

[@jowallace4986]

I'm looking forward to watching David in the Banged Up series after seeing him & hearing his story in this video. What a fascinating & very resourceful chap!

[@queenofthebutterflies5212]

I am awestruck by this story. What a gifted storyteller.

[@lifeindeep]

We interviewed him on Life In Deep just last week. Facinating bloke!

[@kennyblack1349]

This man could read a dictionary and it would still sound interesting, proper old school gentleman and fantastic speaker

[@stormzycoinlife661]

The questions you ask makes David tell a totally different story than those episodes on Shaun Attwood who always lays low, great approach! ❤

[@opinionsarenotfacts.920]

Transporting is a drug in & of itself. Driving home from Colorado to Wisconsin with 100lbs of herb in a Thule rack on the roof & I blow through a stop sign literally right in front of a sheriff. Got home safe somehow after being pseudo-honest (yes I shouldn't be driving I'm exhausted, it was 4am, & the worst was I had just crossed a border), luckily I was sober. Anyway when I got home all my close friends were waiting & started partying & I just sat there stone sober feeling something I've never felt b4. Relief, terror at how close I'd come to ruining my life as I was on scholarships & close to graduating & getting in legal trouble would have lost me all of that, but I was also feeling something else, a kind of buzz no drug has ever given me & I wanted more as the days & weeks past. I started fiending for another run, bigger. As a person who doesn't gamble I should have been happy I was safe but there was this new itch that I scratched for a while until I finally kicked that habit & became an ordinary low rent drug addict. Peace y'all

[@delespai5592]

Lol, what a humble end to the story. I bet you're doing alright!

[@djking44151]

Really can't get enough of this guy!

[@alerionhawke5398]

Such knowledge and experience this man has and such a natural storyteller and entertainer he speaks so eloquently I would love to talk to David about the addiction side of things and his (ex) relationship with heroin.

[@zeahoq]

My respect for sharing Mr mcmillan

[@nicholaslandolina]

He speaks so well

[@peterthomas5792]

Very eloquent man & a great raconteur. I can't help a sneaking sense of admiration 😀

[@josephmullin5845]

David McMillan is so well spoken

[@Silverhand290]

Great channel great vid, thanks guys. Who is the guy who appears in the last few seconds in the "Warrior Not Warrior" T shirt?

[@jimjack3447]

brilliant video

[@richieh2006]

He's the most lovable ex con I've ever seen and a phenominal story teller. I'm buying his book.

[@benjaminduncan6220]

Link?

[@New-ml3ip]

Watch him on Sean Atwood he has about 13 parts unreal

[@TinMan445]

What a great story and teller!

[@natashaocallaghan8121]

Had me giggling within the first 2 mins, a brilliant gent!

[@garryrobertson7433]

Absolutely insane life this man had.. so lucky to be alive but the way he tells the story its almost like a joke.. top man great podcast... love all the content

[@KenOKeefeTJP]

As an anti-war, human rights Palestinian Hawaiian citizen born in the USA who is of Irish ancestry and has been imprisoned for a six-day VISA overstay in Thailand's 'Bangkok Hilton' while recovering from poisoning and clinical death from brain trauma, I have to say, David McMillan can give me a real run for my money in terms of Hollywood Movie Life. Love & Respect to him and if anyone has contact with him, as I am in Liverpool for now, let him know I would love to meet and swap stories. Well done LADbible TV as well, very well done. TJP

[@leahsmith8363]

Imprisoned for a 6 day visa overstay?! Do you share your story anywhere? Id love to hear more

[@FalcaoXTZ]

Are you open to having a podcast?

[@itspart]

I've had overstays lots in Thailand. I just payed the fine! Simple!

[@opinionsarenotfacts.920]

Cheers from Austria, I had a visceral reaction to your short story. I have dual citizenship with U.S.A & Austria. Got locked up in Russia over my VISA bc I didn't put U.S. citizen on there, I only travel with my Austrian passport. When they started using the term espionage more & more I realized that this was bad. I can't imagine it came even close to what you went through. Glad you're ok now & hope that you were able to move past such an awful experience. Peace fellow human

[@KenOKeefeTJP]

@@opinionsarenotfacts.920 Only stronger for it all. Happy to share the story, my Hollywood Life! TJP

[@-cMc-]

You never win a case and you never get out of a Thai prison

[@mixalis6168]

How would you know ?

[@jackmercer4803]

I love listening to Big Dave

[@bicivelo]

Omg this guy is amazing.

[@buttercream1183]

Fantastic!

[@johnfitzgerald1131]

I come back and re listen to this all the time.

[@19george73]

i read warren fellows book (the damage done) if im not mistaken ; he mentioned a guy that was the only escapee, who the prisoners refferred to as "the ghost" as not to feel the stick from guards or blue boys, does anyone know if he was refferring to this very felow? great upload by the way, i didnt want it to end, i could listen to the man all day.

[@panamajack8055]

Great book, I read that many years back. Now you mention it, he probably was referring to this guy.

[@vickythefist7062]

Damage done .one of the best books I have ever read . When they cut that pig open that had drugs in it that had burst. And injected the blood and guts ect and intestines cus they were that desperate for smack . Of course they all died .gross

[@gando121]

So cool, so easy to listen to

[@nwoslothbite3077]

Mad how the police act worse than the criminals - torturing people

[@opinionsarenotfacts.920]

They will beat you in shifts, offer you drugs, women, threaten to ruin your family, actually harass your friends & family by pulling them over non stop, sit outside their houses, just absolutely no code of contact. They would do anything to try to get you snitch & I do mean anything. I knew people personally who had things done to them I won't write about, but it makes you think who is the real vicious criminal here? Peace

[@joshua-km8nt]

What an amazing story teller

[@lifeindeep]

He's a top bloke. I really enjoyed interviewing him too.

[@marymolloy4396]

He sounds quiet posh really . Very well spoken

[@trevorleake2010]

Very charming and cheerful... in a way that makes me not believe a word this guy says.

[@tyronevincent1368]

A charming charasmatic criminal

[@The3atef]

Intelligent and well spoken criminals like David always make me wonder what they could have become if they took a different path in science or media or even politics

[@leerisebrow1480]

Fascinating man.

[@stephenlamley541]

RIP the ladies lost in the prison fire.

[@John.Doe.272]

That one slap to get them talking joke, brings back memories. My older relatives would rob banks. They said this joke a lot.

[@giaselma9281]

the way David laughs..... i think i like it.... :)

[@jonathansparks9297]

The old man is most definitely a psychopath

[@prettylady438]

I hope this guyy has an audio biography of hs life i would definitely buy it... I love listening to his story and with his voice feels like im in the story with him like im watching it happen as he was telling it...

[@joejoe2928]

DAVID'S CHARM IS ONE OF THE QUALITYS THAT MADE HIM PARTLY SUCCESSFUL

[@BK-vg3el]

Great storytelling … know I would not have survived

[@tressinar]

Fascinating.

[@TomTom-df9ph]

Excellent interviewer.

[@matdevineslife]

brilliant

[@coastalrider1155]

Ave seen that guy on another channel what a story teller he is

[@JM-cw1er]

This guy is stewie griffin all grown up 🤣

[@davidc3839]

I read this man's book years ago. It is fascinating.

[@saulallix6072]

What a story!!

[@tenbear5]

Love David, and all his smuggling skullduggery ... I'm a secret great fan. The beer is on me, David. Bravo you.

[@bigredinfinity3126]

David us such a character would love to meet him

[@mrbyrnez]

This guy needs a film made about his life

[@kreepykrawlyman]

There's an Australian mini series about him, it's called Underbelly: the man who got away. Worth the watch 👍

[@clintwalker3127]

Great stuff, I was absolutely hypnotized, just hope I wont be made to bark like a dog now though, coz I was under a spell listening 😢

[@musicalADD_theband]

He got out of that prison and went to work for the empire in the Death Star

[@-cMc-]

He says the more dangerous person is the one who stays quiet is friendly and is already thinking of their court persona and a way to incriminate you bc you rubbed them the wrong way. Or you have something they want.

[@kanudoss]

Please make a Movie about this gentleman!!!

[@snug1117]

Amazing story telling Reminds of my grandfather talking about Vietnam

[@jking5662]

The man is a living legend. Nevermind the drugs, the tales are worth the pain he helped spread. He's a great guy with a very interesting life story.

[@hmalik5232]

he didn't spread any pain, the guy was just smuggling hash, not fentanyl lol

[@jking5662]

@@hmalik5232 hash to start with. Smuggled a lot more heroin & cocaine than a few slabs of hash.

[@hmalik5232]

@@jking5662 Oh okay. Cocaine isn't that bad but with heroin, fair enough I guess. Still, like you said, the guy's a legend.

[@samteks125]

@@hmalik5232 Considering how it's produced, coke might be THE worst

[@jarrahdahlenburg7785]

This just popped up after something else I was listening to and I was about to shut it off then he introduced himself and I’m like wow I read his book he’s got a crazy life story

[@IntellectualDilettante]

Some years ago, while assisting my local MP with his constituency correspondence, I worked on David's case which was a request for help to get his passport reinstated. It had been withdrawn for some years as part of a legal judgement and, although the sentence had been completed, the passport service was refusing to issue a new one. His backstory was fascinating so I immediately ordered his book and determined to do what I could to fix the situation because, as far as I was concerned, he had done his time and a deal is a deal so he was within his rights to travel again. I hope that my efforts were successful.

[@christopherrabaldo3377]

David is the best guest ever. Great channel too.

[@465marko]

Nice few questions at the end. That's the stuff I'm really curious about with David. Like, how he presented himself back then and what sort of person he was. How he sees himself. I just wonder what he was like back then, because imo it must take a certain personality type to be a fairly large-scale heroin importer/smuggler. As well as dealing with life in different prisons, escaping from Klong Prem and all of that. I think to be doing the kind of things he did, you're not going to last long if people read you as being weak or an easy mark or a pushover etc. Not that you have to be the typical muscle-bound "badass" type either, but it is serious stuff and there's going to be serious people. And I do think he must have been a bit more of a "serious" character himself back then, compared to how he comes across now. Also, I get the impression he was very selective who he involved himself with. So that probably helped as well, just in terms of security and not having to rely quite as much on having a fearsome reputation. Just makes his story really interesting, I think. Maybe the lack of a fear response is what it is, I don't know.

[@mrmudsipper]

i love these videos and i love the interviewer but it slightly put me off at the start when he clarified that he would essentially ‘rush’ him through

[@user-kz4ke8mg4r]

On the strength of this podcast, I've just bought David's book 'Escape'!

[@ianbrown_]

The remarkable David Mac…🎉

[@clipz1]

soo funny when he was baffed about the mars bar creek and they way he just says well you did ask posh ass accent too this guys hella cool

[@chrismartin1924]

Man that voice is priceless 🥹

[@CoffeeBeanWitch]

I'm listening to this over breakfast and i can tell you i could listen to David all day. Very charismatic and his one liners he drops had me spitting toast crumbs when talks about mars bar creek💩💩💩😆😆😆

[@spudtrainspotting9149]

Amazing guy , the real deal, for sure

[@dadadrew]

What a storyteller

[@yelnaw]

Not enough people use the term ‘scallywags’

[@lifeindeep]

I think we should hear 'skullduggery' more too. Anyway hey ho!

[@charlesflint9048]

I remember a friend of mine who came back to the UK in the early ‘70s carrying a really nice wooden chessboard he had made; sealed inside was a really nice piece of hashish. The chessboard was destroyed in the retrieval of the hash, but we had some really nice smokes.😊

[@bangkok5140]

I spent 5 years in Klong Prem. luckily I was not facing the death sentence. Escaping a Thai prison is not easy. As you well know getting caught would most definitely resulted in a death sentence.

[@samteks125]

What were you charged with if you don't mind my asking

[@bangkok5140]

@@samteks125 I was never charged. The Americans wanted me as they believed I was involved in a movement of herbs into there country. At the time there was no extradition treaty. I was charged in Florida under the RICO law. No comparable law in Thailand but why let law and justice get in the way. I fought the extradition, I had a very good honest straight lawyer. The judge said (I can speak Thai) why are you defending this foreigner as the laws don’t apply to him. My lawyer replied that every foreigner should be released as Thai laws don’t apply to them. He was censored and barred from the court room. After 5 years 2 Americans turned up, handcuffed me and physically took me to USA, no official paperwork just a good bit of US rendition. After a year in America being bussed and flown (con air) all over the states I finally got before a judge. A the DEA had used all the evidence on other cases the case was dismissed. Free to go. BUT the immigration arrested me for entering the USA without a passport or visa. 3 months in an immigration detention centre before being kicked out on a BA flight direct to London in an orange prison suit with canvas Chinese slippers on. No money nothing.

[@bangkok5140]

A very good friend of mine who I’ve recently caught up with (William Roger Reeves) has escaped from 4 or 5 custodial situations. His book smuggler is interesting. All 3 of us should make a documentary.