Bangkok Podcast 51: Joe Cummings

In today's digital world, the requirements for being a travel
writer are pretty minimal: do you have a computer? Have you
travelled? Bam! Travel writer. But a few decades ago, being a
travel writer was something rare; an exotic, sometimes dangerous
job that took you into the dark, unexplored corners of the world
on adventures of all kinds.


On this episode of Bangkok Podcast, we welcome Joe Cummings,
legendary travel writer, best-selling author, badass musician,
and all-around cool dude. Back when the tallest building in
Thailand was the Dusit Thani Hotel, Joe pitched the idea of a
guidebook to Thailand to a little company called Lonely Planet,
and ended up being in charge of the company's best-selling guide
for 25 years. He's also written guidebooks on Burma, Laos, and
Mexico, as well as one-off volumes on various aspects of Asian
art and architecture. His new book, Sacred Tattoos of Thailand,
will be released in June. Joe also tells us how he ended up
stranded on a boat for three days in the middle of the ocean with
three Indonesian fishermen, how advanced technology has changed
the art of travel writing, and what he thinks will happen with
Thailand's ongoing political troubles.


Also, don't forget to join the BANGKOK PODCAST 1-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
PARTY on May 15th at the swanky Q-Up lounge. Good people, good
drinks, good times!