The CIA Tried To Recruit Me For A Job In Thailand (Joe Cumming's Life Story)

[@2gethersomewhere]

I've been a fan of Joe Cummings since I first started coming to Thailand in the 1980s. I relied heavily on his Lonely Planet writings every time I visited Thailand. Loved his stories about hanging with Mick Jagger and Anthony Bourdain, and about getting recruited by the CIA! One of your best interviews!

[@ThairishTimes]

Fantastic, i’m glad you liked it👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@jjwr99]

As a Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand in the late 70s, I knew of Joe as a legend. Never met him, but many of my fellow volunteers calimed his acquaintance and friendship. And we all had his LP guide to Thialand in our hip pockets as we spent our time off exploring the kingdom. Later, when our commitment was done and we were free to wonder SE Asia, me and the missus used LP and Joe's contributions to the series to guide us as we plied the "Hippie Trail" from Katmandu to Bali. Glad to see he's still active on the expact scene, and upon our relocation to Thailand this November, we will become Midnight Ramblers groupies. Great interview, great stories and quite a life! Thanks Pete. 😊 You da man.

[@ThairishTimes]

Very cool story Joe. Sounds like you had great adventures

[@Photojouralist123]

My brother in law was PCV and sister in Malaysia in early and mid 70's.

[@tonybaloney6656]

Great work Pete , you hardly had to say a word . Joe is an affable fellow , a real quiet achiever and a natural story teller. I enjoyed that vlog.

[@ThairishTimes]

Thanks Tony

[@richardjohnwhite4971]

An excellent interview with a most interesting subject (to say the very least). It is nice to watch an interviewer just ask questions rather than claim to be an expert on Thailand. And, of course, Joe Cummins is indeed an expert, but not a person who boasts or lies.

[@ThairishTimes]

Absolutely! Cheers

[@senianns9522]

I used the Joe's Lonely planet in the early 80's when I first started living here. It was great as I was in Phuket and travelling the south of the country! Sadly It got lost over the latter years! Truly a real treasure before the age internet or even mobile phones! Kudos to Joe.

[@ThairishTimes]

Sadly I was the generation who used the internet as my main resource when traveling. That being sad I did have a LP book on arriving in Thailand but I left it in a taxi in my first week in Bangkok 😞😞

[@mussen1876]

Great interview Pete. Joe Cummings was a name that I used to see regularly when I first travelled to Thailand in the 90s as my guidebook was one of his. I used to marvel at the knowledge he has of SEA. Fantastic to be able to see an interview with him. Thanks Joe, and thanks Pete.

[@ThairishTimes]

Cheers Ben

[@kevinreily2529]

I’m so glad that you finally hooked up with Joe. He told me he would do it. Awesome interview.

[@ThairishTimes]

Thanks to you for putting us in contact Kevin

[@stephenmonash821]

Great interview - it had it all. What a rich and charmed life he has led. I used his guides back in the day - so knew the name. Lonely planet books were the bible especially before the days of the internet. As many backpackers carried them as they do mobile phones and IPADS today. He certainly is a wealth of knowledge - and good on him for keeping on rocking.

[@ThairishTimes]

Glad you enjoyed it Stephen

[@PauloGaetathe_original]

The first LP I read, was indeed the Thailand one by Joe Cummings in the mid 90's and it changed my perspective on Thailand and Southeast Asia, I became aware of many possibilities I had no idea about. This was a great interview.

[@ThairishTimes]

Fantastic, thanks for watching

[@strangetv4635]

Yes, great score Pete - Joe is a real legend, and his Lonely Planet book is the reason many of us came to the Kingdom.

[@ThairishTimes]

Cheers James, the start if a great adventure no doubt

[@britzman9905]

Wowzer, that interview had me on the edge of my swat, you find some very interesting guests!

[@ThairishTimes]

Cool! Thanks for watching. I’ve more interesting people coming up

[@jdavies212msu]

I have to be honest. I thought your video title was clickbait, and this guy was going to be one of those bogus stories from the barstool: “Oh yeah, I was in Special Forces….blah, blah, blah.” Almost didn’t watch it, but the guy’s name kept ringing a bell-so I did. Partway thru, I had to stop the video, walk into my study, and run my fingers over a number of Joe’s books I’ve used for years, just to verify your interview subject was one and the same. Amazing interview, with a guy who’s my contemporary and has been my travel/culture mentor via his books. Pete, just when I think you can’t possibly top your own past fascinating interview subjects/personalities, you go and knock another one out of the ballpark! So wonderful to get the background story(s) behind a well-known, well-read author.

[@ThairishTimes]

Thanks mate, I knew the title would trigger a few people. Thanks for clicking and giving it a chance

[@johndandrea5067]

By far one of your best !!! Great interview !!!

[@ThairishTimes]

Thanks John

[@joefarang]

Wow, what a scoop getting Joe Cummings in for a chat! Fascinating, thanks for posting mate.

[@ThairishTimes]

Thanks ☺️☺️☺️

[@AbroadInThailand]

Fascinating story about Mick Jagger. Great interview! Cheers from Koh Samui. 🏝️

[@ThairishTimes]

Glad you liked it👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@senianns9522]

At the time of the concert I had tickets along with several pals living here! We had booked a mini bus from Rayong to BKK and return. I really wanted to see that gig! The cancellation of the concert was supposed to be because of the merchandizing? The Stones were reputedly 'ripped off' over the sales at the proposed concert, some others had 'moved in' --- so it was called off! I heard about the aircraft issues in Mumbai --I really never got to the truth! The good news is I got my ticket money back! Shame the concert never happened!

[@keepitrollin3977]

Hey Pete.great job again.ask a question & let the person talk.amazing man.would of love to walk in his shoes wow.keep it rollin

[@ThairishTimes]

Thanks, we’ll keep it rollin’

[@tomoconnell2858]

Another great interview Pete. Big fan of Joe Cummings. Thanks.

[@ThairishTimes]

Glad you liked it Tom

[@LeoLang]

Really enjoyed it again. You do very good Paddy in selecting your Interviewpartners. Live is marvellous and people are living it. You let us be a part to know about theirs. Thank you. 🙏😎🇨🇷

[@ThairishTimes]

Thanks mate. Life is marvelous!!

[@katherinewagoner741]

WOW!!! LOVED this interview. Most fascinating and intriguing!!! I am here in Bangkok for 2 months and would love to hear him and his band. Thank u for ur total presence with ur guests. U are a superb interviewer. Really talented and respectful and ask great questions. Great channel. Thank u.

[@ThairishTimes]

Hey Katherine check out the band’s Facebook page called Midnight Ramblers. You can find out the schedule for their gigs

[@katherinewagoner741]

Yes, I was on that right after I watched yall. And, to my surprise, Joe replied kindly to me. I told him about my enjoyment of yalls interview. Fascinating man. If u have not already, u might want to watch his presentations regarding the sacred tattoos. I sure like ur interviews with fascinating people. Thank you.

[@llttf]

Another good one Pete. You have a way of relaxing your guests and they seem to enjoy telling their stories.

[@ThairishTimes]

Cheers mate🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@isarasakpatumanon1489]

ดีมากบทสัมภาษณ์ชีวิตชายท่านนี้ ขอบคุณที่ทำคลิปนี้มาให้ชมครับ จากเกาะสมุย

[@ThairishTimes]

You are very welcome!!!

[@cryptoslacker-464]

Great interview, I think his edition was an essential part of my first trip to Thailand back in 2013. Not so much reliance on the internet back then. Ps would love to catch one of his gigs when I'm back in Thailand next time ❤

[@trevorosborn7411]

Pete what a sensational interview. Difficult to back that one up. Thank you for finding such interesting people and topics. I have that tattoo book in Bangkok so will be giving it another read when I am next back. Cheers

[@ThairishTimes]

Cheers Trevor

[@petermkelly]

Another fascinating interview, loved every minute of it. What a life!

[@ThairishTimes]

Cheers Peter, I loved making this one. Especially the near death experience story

[@nwils6944]

Best interview so far.

[@ThairishTimes]

Thanks!!☺️☺️☺️

[@user-tt5xj5ib1e]

He has so many great stories, it would be great to have him on again. Thank you again for another great interview :) 😃😍😃

[@divyas1937]

What a great interview. Joe is so intelligent and inspiring. What an adventure of a life he’s living

[@packageism]

Your best interview thus far. Amazing guy

[@ThairishTimes]

Thanks ☺️☺️☺️

[@scrunchy72]

What a legend, by far the most interesting and genuine person on this channel yet, out of all the amazing interesting things jo said it was writing the 1st ever thai lonely planet that blew me away, I couldn’t of travelled back in the 90s without that book and I’m sure many people would agree who travelled pre internet 🙏 what a lovely bloke so we’ll done and great interview 👋

[@Bangkokguitar]

Wow Pete! It appears you keep upping your game. Joe it's such an amazing person, with such amazing stories. I was glued to my seat. Thank you for this. What a life this individual has had! Simply amazing.

[@ThairishTimes]

Thanks Jack I was the same during the interview

[@paulseoighemcgee5772]

I'll second that .

[@zacharyferreira2469]

Pete - this is my favorite Thairish Times interview so far, even though I am only 1 minute in. Joe Cummings’ LP guide was my first inspiration to visit Thailand as a teenager in the late 1980s. Fantastic storyteller.

[@andrewmiles8852]

One of the best interviews you have done. A very interesting man.

[@ThairishTimes]

Thanks ☺️☺️☺️

[@zentravel1515]

I seldom comment on any of these Thailand oriented YT channels but this was an absolutely epic interview 🙌

[@richardevans3801]

Great interview what an amazing life Joe has had. I was glued to the screen.

[@ThairishTimes]

Glad you liked it Richard

[@krk111761]

Excellent interview with a very interesting and educated man. I'm now interested in reading some of his books. Thank you.

[@ThairishTimes]

Glad you liked it Kurt

[@karlhammerl1420]

Really enjoyed the interview. Joe is a brainiac! I think we all could listen to him for hours as he has so many interesting stories!!. Good work Pete!

[@ThairishTimes]

I’m tempted to do a part 2 & 3

[@marinelines]

I think this is my favourite interview on your channel since I've started watching couple weeks ago. Well done! 45 minutes seems like 5.

[@ThairishTimes]

Fantastic, this is up there as my of my favorites too

[@poorlybuffalo555]

Another fascinating guest Pete.

[@sugarcane9425]

Great stuff again I started to follow your Chanel. Joe’ Thai accent is so clear like Thai .

[@ThairishTimes]

Thanks ☺️☺️

[@robertgraham1088]

Best interview yet. Thanks you.

[@ThairishTimes]

Thanks Robert

[@jamesbarclay8430]

One of your best interviews.

[@ThairishTimes]

Thanks James

[@donjordan8174]

Great interview… Thanks

[@HiChewMango]

Your channel is a real gem! Awesome interview Pete.

[@ThairishTimes]

Thanks so much

[@jonnduesterhaus5342]

Fantastic interview with incredibly interesting guest. I met you and your wife on Bangla Rd in Patong beach, Phuket in April '22. I was glued to this video to hear his stories. I've been a subscriber for a long time and told you in April I love your interviews and interesting guests, keep up the great work Pete!

[@ThairishTimes]

Hey John we remember meeting you. I hope you’re doing well. Take it easy

[@Molloy1951]

Incredibly interesting conversation! Well done! Thanks

[@nokchilton1562]

Marvellous interview Pete! Thanks for sharing your life with us Joe!!!

[@ThairishTimes]

Glad you liked it Nok. This is up there as one of my favourites

[@danielanderson888]

Wow - unbelievable story. Thanks for this Pete, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@ThairishTimes]

You’re very welcome Daniel

[@mickm.2724]

Fascinating interview, loved it. Long live coffee 😆

[@ThairishTimes]

Absolutely!!

[@groberogier]

Wonderful when people let life lead the way...and looking back things only get sweeter. They do...so live life.

[@stevenhull5025]

Great Vlog with Joe and thanks to his in depth contribution to the travel scene countless backpackers have enjoyed life changing experiences throughout South East Asia.

[@matthewturner6342]

Loving these interviews, and the production was super slick. I don't even have a connection to Thailand but I'm hooked into the the channel now!

[@ThairishTimes]

Thanks Matthew. Super cool that you like these interviews even with no Thailand connection

[@kensmith8415]

Really great interview.

[@dhart001]

Wow...another excellent interview! You're on a roll!!!

[@ThairishTimes]

Cheers Dave

[@LEObondTraveller]

The great thing about KZbin is you get to hear amazing stories from people who might not be famous enough to be on the likes of Parkinson but they have great stories anyhow. I have watched the Anthony Bourdain Chiang Mai episode numerous times as I find it portrays the whackiness of Thailand so well. I have always found the Karaoke guy section quite humourous as the microphone falls non chalantly to the floor. Small world as here he is in your vid! What movie is it a send up of? Keep digging up the gems TT.

[@slimturnpike]

It's homage to a scene where actor James Caan is singing at a karaoke bar in Cambodia in the film CITY OF GHOSTS.

[@nnnnnie]

Just happened to stumble upon this because of a link from "Thai58" at Blogspot. Joe and I were in the same Peace Corps Group 58 in Thailand, March 1977. We all trained together for a couple months or so until we went to our assignments. Some of us would occasionally get together thereafter for a little R&R. I've always liked Joe, very pleasant fellow. He seems a little more intense these days... hmmm.

[@Mozzermarr10]

Fascinating stuff Pete. Another top notch interview. Really enjoyed this.

[@ThairishTimes]

Thanks mate 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@GerardoTrilobites]

Fantastic interview, ...maybe you could do a "part 2" video.

[@ThairishTimes]

I would certainly do a part 2 down the line

[@michelecrouse5284]

quality content Pete keep it up. thank you

[@ThairishTimes]

Thanks very much Michele

[@kb3809]

Great interview 🤙

[@BangTaoBeach]

The first LP book I had was Joe's on Thailand. I was living in Tokyo at the time and I was like Joe, if it was Thai I loved it. I ended up marrying a Thai and I have three adult Luk khrueng daughters, they live in Hawaii now, so does their mom. Me? Divorced and rambling. I left Phuket about a year ago to live in Mexico and in July I am going to Cambodia for a year. I know I will eventually live in Thailand again. It's in my DNA.

[@sunchildtine]

awww, the good old Lonely Planet, no wonder it struck a chord when you say the name Joe Cummings. back in the day, travel was pretty much influenced by this publication and the TV series, Globe Trekker. hosts like Ian Wright, Megan McCormick, Justine Shapiro and the most famous of all, Bradley Cooper before he made it big in Hollywood. a gentle reminder of "Everyone has to start somewhere!" cheers Pete! you are back to the normal outdoor intro.👍

[@ThairishTimes]

Cool I had no idea that’s where Bradley Cooper started. Glad you liked it

[@soldiermick]

Really interesting. One of the best so far. Just about to get the train to London to fly to Bangkok. Off as soon as I’ve watched this to the end. I’ll be there on Sunday evening.

[@ThairishTimes]

You’ve probably arrived by now Mick

[@soldiermick]

@@ThairishTimes yes here now. Had a nice evening on soi 11 and 13. Chill day today.

[@jasonbeedon9867]

The most interesting man in the world.

[@ThairishTimes]

👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@jasonbeedon9867]

@@ThairishTimes love your channel!

[@thaitalkwithdan]

Great Character to have on your channel, great work with this one Pete 👍

[@ThairishTimes]

Cheers Dan 🙏🙏

[@arg888]

This is by far one of the best interviews I've seen on your channel.

[@ThairishTimes]

Thanks Arthur

[@gertdrok]

👍 Interesting Interview Pete, with a nice guy. I was read already one of his books. 🙏

[@ThairishTimes]

Glad you liked the interview and Joe’s stories Gert

[@scottDchicago]

Gold!

[@ThairishTimes]

Glad you like it Scott

[@roberteckerle3794]

Fantastic interview , thank you

[@ThairishTimes]

You’re very welcome Robert

[@jk-hn6go]

Joe is an amazing human being, a legend. What a life! Thanks for including some of his old pics. It let me see something new about him.

[@ThairishTimes]

Glad you liked it 🙏👍🏼

[@onalonan]

Wow Joe, your Thai is very very good, very Thai I have to say. Bangkok accent. สุดยอดเลยครับ!!!😊

[@ThairishTimes]

Yes Joe’s Thai sounds amazing

[@onalonan]

@@ThairishTimes yes, his sounds really like Bangkok and middle part of Thailand accent. Thai language have very high and very low tone up to the accent of that part of Thailand but Joe know's how to control where you have to high and where you have to low and controlled those high and low to just 10%(not much high not much low) and that's Bangkok accent. If you speak this accent all people in Thailand would easily understand you even hill tribe people.

[@metalextras]

Thank you Joe! Your stories in travelling to Bromo's Java choppy waters is a perfect plot for a movie... Thank you Pete! We need second ed of his amazing stories!

[@ThairishTimes]

Yes yes let’s get a movie made about it

[@gray2942]

I met Joe in Khon Kaen in a restaurant I set up and managed in the early 90s and ended up getting a mention in his next edition of Lonely Planet after giving him a bit of a rundown on Khon Kaen. As usual a great interview Pete.

[@ThairishTimes]

Great story, I hope it got you some customers

[@restlesssoles19]

I used to rely on the Lonely Planet when I first started visiting Thailand in '95. Back then, it was the best way to scout for destinations, before the flood of interweb sites. I always envied his life, (or the version of it in my mind), and thought what a brilliant man! Thanks for the interview! He's a legend!

[@simo787c]

Another great interview, Pete ! Still have my old Thailand Travel Survival Kit by Cummings.

[@ThairishTimes]

It’s a relic at this stage. I loved Joe’s story

[@neildutton8077]

Next level stuff Pete, brilliant. I've run into loads of "CIA" undercover operatives in expat Pattaya bars......LOL.

[@Ned88Man]

I always wonder what it is about Thailand that made it a hub for CIA activity, maybe because it is the closest American ally in the region?

[@kittenastrophy5951]

@@Ned88Man We try to keep some safe distant nowaday unlike in the past. Don't be misled, Thai doesn't lean toward China either.

[@lewilu2506]

I ran into one nearly recuited "cia" guy in a gym in a patong phuket last week. aparently he declined it wasnt in line for his life path. Lol

[@pepelemoko01]

@@Ned88Man The Americans spent millions in Thailand during the Vietnam war , there is still JUSMAG in Bangkok,I just looked it up there is a restaurant, that Americans can use.

[@Ned88Man]

@@pepelemoko01 apparently the black site that they used to waterboard some of those Al Qaeda guys was in Udon Thani. However, since the end of the Vietnam war and the whole undertaking to rid the region of communism, I can’t see exactly what the purpose of having a large presence in the area would be. Places like Afghanistan, Iran, Korea, even China I could see.

[@Beyonder1881]

very interesting interview with a Thailand legend, and who knows...maybe Joe did some gigs for his Berkely friend John after all ;)

[@Roland_Rohrle]

Great story, cool guy

[@torvaldelletveito9181]

Best one so far! Keep it up buddy 👍

[@ThairishTimes]

Thanks ☺️☺️☺️

[@mmaranta785]

What a great storyteller

[@carverbob54]

Better and Better Pete!

[@ThairishTimes]

Thanks ☺️☺️☺️

[@stuartmearns2627]

What a great interview with a very intelligent individual. Joe has obviously had some amazing life experiences and met some very interesting people along the way. What would you give to be a fly on the wall during a night out with Mick Jagger? Fascinating stuff this. Well done Pete. Encore 👏👍

[@ThairishTimes]

Absolutely and a night out with Mick Jagger in Bangkok of all places!!

[@stuartmearns2627]

@@ThairishTimes That would be awesome

[@richardgray7060]

Great interview Pete. I came here myself armed with the Lonely Planet in 2004. A great book that really helped a lot on my travels. Imagine hanging out with Mick in Bangkok. Makes me wonder what Joe had lined up for Keith Richards 555. When I lived in Phuket for five years, people would say that Charlie Watts would occasionally frequent Patrick'r Bar in Phuket Town and would sometimes play the drums with local bands. That was the story. Maybe Joe knows!

[@ThairishTimes]

I reckon Joe could write a book about his adventures with Mick

[@MadBalmer1]

Your best interview yet. Surprised there aren't a lot more views

[@ThairishTimes]

sadly me too but I enjoyed making it

[@MadBalmer1]

@@ThairishTimes yeah that was a great conversation. One to remember

[@muprock]

Pete, this one is GOLD!

[@The_Drifter_13]

Wow, definitely a different level of guest. Fascinating!

[@fulltimeforeigner5640]

Sorry Pete I watch all your videos but never comment. And sometimes I forget to ‘like’ these videos I enjoy so much. This one is no different. Absolutely fascinating interview. You’re great at getting guests with not only exciting stories but also incredibly unique and raw ones. Well done. I’m just making a point to let you know that you do great work and I love your channel. I know you put a lot of energy into it so I’m wishing you all the best. Frank in Bangkok

[@ThairishTimes]

Thank you very much Frank. I really appreciate it

[@duncanburnett8547]

what a guy!,will try to check out one of his gigs in Bangkok when i'm back in Thailand in a few weeks

[@ThairishTimes]

It’s a great night out Duncan

[@duncanburnett8547]

@@ThairishTimes already checked it out Sept 23 at the green room-very close to where we are staying after our golf trip to Hua Hin!

[@HavingTheCrack]

Deadly man, another great interesting interview 👌

[@ThairishTimes]

Thanks Stephen

[@nikkimclay5474]

What an interesting guy

[@ThairishTimes]

For sure Nikki

[@williammit1332]

Pete... another out of the park interview. (American Baseball home run)

[@ThairishTimes]

Thanks William👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 i’ll take home runs all day

[@joanncoopertroupe3506]

Awesome. Interview Pete!

[@nevillewilkinson2444]

Another very interesting interview keep it up Clonmel Ireland

[@ThairishTimes]

Thanks Neville

[@jomontanee]

So many astonishing stories to tell!! 👍👍 Ps. I am more than willing to hear you talk about Thai coffees anytime, Pete my man! 😆🥰

[@ThairishTimes]

Cheers Jo, I love my coffee!!!

[@lightgearwire]

Mick Jagger on Cowboy now that's a buzz. Great interview!

[@ThairishTimes]

Absolutely, thanks for watching

[@ThailandThomas]

Life with out coffee would be almost unbearable Pete. Can not imagine being lost at sea. Joe is an interesting guy. Great video Pete.

[@ThairishTimes]

Thanks Thomas

[@Liam-nx7hf]

Great stuff Pete

[@ThairishTimes]

Thanks Liam

[@seanmann863]

I felt like I was watching the film " Swimming to Cambodia" and to quote the film " The sea is a lovely lady when you play in her but she is a Bitch if you play with her" GREAT Interview Pete!! Hey 4 cups of Java a day for me..lol.,, Side note: President Nixon was a Quaker. By the way Pete have you been hitting the weights the" guns" are looking bigger!! HAHA..HOLY SHIT he was the guy in the white suite in the Bourdain Chiang Mai episode singing. Can I request Moonlight Mile!!

[@ThairishTimes]

Just pull ups in the park Sean. I might be in 4 cups soon. Yeah i’m pretty sure that was Joe. Glad you liked the interview, I loved hearing the CIA story

[@seanmann863]

@@ThairishTimes That CIA pension is good but not living like a king good. lol

[@AzShahid-allthingsThai]

Another great interview Pete, really enjoyed it 👌🏼

[@ThairishTimes]

Thanks☺️☺️

[@gregoryian123]

I'll admit he's talking about my experiences in the late 1980s. The trink page.

[@bradd7133]

Awesome interview!