Links to Paul's Books: A Wanderer's Words: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09YRT5F59 The Essential Expat's Guide To Living in Thailand: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00T1VJKLY Part 2 with Paul: th-cam.com/video/kg7Us7hz94U/w-d-xo.html
With a bad taste in my mouth i finally saw the whole "interview". In the beginning you trashed conservative folks (leave alone you have no concept on conservativism), but what is it you have done and seen? Nothing, i would say. Just nada!!! France and Thailand. Now you sit in some dumb village job- and toothless! You do not even leave that village - GREAT! You are not even Sixty, but look like an 85 year old Junkie. Blogger? You are a blogger??? Oh really? What you could possibly tell the world? How an uneducated 85-year old is surviving Thailand? You are in that country, in that village, because you have no other place to go. Is that not so, Grandpa??
As I mentioned in a previous message, I do find you to be an interesting man, very sharp, with a lifetime of unique experiences. I suspect a good soul as well.
I see a lot of myself in Paul. I arrived in Thailand the 6th of April 1966 in the militay. Getting off the plane and being assaulted by the heat and smells at 01:30 in the morning I felt I was home. That feeling has never gone away an at 75 I am still here.
Just a Wise Man who dared to live to the fullest, and learned pretty much everything. A formidable storyteller, a great pleasure to find a real gem of a Human Being, thanks so much for sharing this, cheers!
Came here to Thailand 33 years ago - after my second visit to India. I have spent 18 years of that time as a Buddhist monk. Still here in Thailand and still a Buddhist monk. I was born and 'raised' in London.
That's the gift. Anyone can ask the questions. It takes a great interviewer to be interested in and listen to the answers putting their subject instead of themselves centre stage. Great interview.
My god, this is more than THE BEST INTERVIEW EVER, it is the life review conversation, deep, meaningful, heart hitting. Especially the moments he told the story about his wife. I just can’t even describe the feeling… so heartfelt.
Arrived in Thailand as a clueless 18 year old in 1983. Didn’t know Khao San road even existed. Spent a week eating after months in India on a 4 to 5 dollar a day budget. Spent another week feeling ill and a following week seeing Bangkok. Next was a trip to Kanchunsburi. There, the adventure began. A series of chance encounters brought be to the Burma border and eventually an invite to accompany the Karen National Liberation Army guerrillas on an operation across the Dawna Mountains to attack a Burma Army outpost. Nearly got my ass shot off, caught malaria and experienced things that changed my life forever. Thailand was the steppingstone for this and I returned many times. Weird and sometimes dangerous times, but I am thankful for all of it.
After the first misadventures I was on and off the border for nearly the next twenty years. Met many survivors of horrific things. Also met a few who committed horrific things. It is a tragic, beautiful, and wildly complicated country. The borderlands seemed to attract more than its share of world class weirdos ranging from mercenaries to missionaries. Some with reasonably good intentions, others just out of their minds. I had no good reason to be there other than I was interested and for some odd reason I seemed to have the run of the place and was well looked after by the Karen.
After working for a year or so as a journalist in Cambodia I left the region in 2001 and have not been back. It was like a switch had been flipped. I was completely absorbed by Southeast Asia, then suddenly I wasn’t….. perhaps something to do with getting married and having kids. I really enjoy Pete’s interviews. It reminds me of the interesting characters I used to meet all the time over there.
I've had the honour of meeting this Paul. He's certainly a true gent and has so many interesting stories to tell about his life experiences.. Total respect and all the best mate!
OMG Paul I think we lived the same start in life. Left school at 15. Played local darts team at 16. Life was only work and pub. Left UK and started my backpacking in France. Went to the oil industry, worked around the world. Lived in Thailand in 1979. Great times. Now retired and been living in Indonesia for 25 years
Paul your words about your wife and learning from her ring out loud and clean to me! I to have learned as much from my wife as she did from me and we were soul mates until I lost her in Sept. 2021. Now I am a lost soul trying to find my path. But , marriage is a work in progress and it takes effort , communication , and respect for each other to make it work! Contrats to you Paul, you came out a rose!
My Irish boyfriend is coming over to Thailand next week, and he was watching this video when we were on the phone. I heard the familiar voice, and I asked him what is he watching? He said a man who lived in Thailand for 36 years! So I kept listening, and I asked him, "Is his name happened to be Paul?" Small world! Much respect for you, teacher Paul! I already respected you as my teacher back then, and you are a living legend.
I an kinda an old school falang. He got me beat by a mile. Loved the interview Pete. What a guy, he has had a great life. Perhaps that is you Pete in 30 years. Looking forward to more interviews
Bro, I am from Los Angeles...Living now (last 2 months) in Puerto Vallarta Mexico...I stumbled upon your channel....I was just about to go to a Movie--Paul's story has so captivated me and wowed that i have missed the movie..the ending of his story has my eyes a bit wetter than usual....He Taught her,,,He was humbled, She Taught him....the story is Magical....Awesome!!!!....cant wait till next part.
Oh!! I'm gobsmacked... Paul lives just round the corner from me. I haven't seen him in ages. He's definitely a character and has quite the garden office setup.
Omg, congratulations! This interview is amazing as someone that's in his thirties and has traveled quite a bit and has seen quite a bit of the world and how people think in this generation. I must say this interview is pure. No sugarcoating. Fantastic work!
That was cool. Coming from the uk and now living in new zealand for 20 years. I miss my colourful family and friends. That was great to watch a real character. Thankyou
13 minutes in and I'm loving this interview! I'm 32 and relate so much to his story and search for "more" from life. I turned up in Thailand in 2015 and immediately fell in love. Spent 6 years there and returned to the UK last year to complete further studies. I miss Thailand every day and can't wait to return. Keep up the good work Pete!
I can relate so much, and crazy that I have almost the same path as you did, expect it was 5 years during which I spent 3 years in Thailand. Went back to my home country, finished my degree that I already started during that 5 years, and now got a good career job back here. I dream about moving to Thailand permanently and feel like I'm wasting time here. When I got enough work experience in my field and somewhat good capital buffer, off I go.
I went to Thailand Christmas 84/85 when I was 22. I just turned 60. It was very undeveloped in the South back then with many roads being gravel. I travelled by road from Penang up through Had Yai to Phuket which was a paradise back then. Spent a lot of time on Phuket but 10 years ago moved to Nakhon Si Thammarat. Remember going to Ao Nang back in '85 and there was nothing there. Some older guys I knew were on Samui in 1972! You had to stay with the fishermen in their huts. Paul seems a little pickled to me, been going way to hard on the turps for too long, he looks about 80 LOL. I feel a bit sorry for the younger people travelling to Thailand these days as they'll never get to experience the un-spoilt beauty we enjoyed back in the day. Mind you getting around is a lot more comfortable these days. There was basically no domestic flights except for Phuket, Chiang Mai etc. It was the dreaded orange rattler busses to get to most places outside of the main tourist areas. No computers, no mobile phones, you put a stamp on a postcard!
I don,t feel sorry for the younger people traveling to Thailand these days at all many seem like spoiled arrogant brats who would not last more than a few days really ruffing it. Mommy, daddy, paying their expenses and begging for money on TH-cam e- beggers.
my dear friend, i am the same young as you. 60. i came to samui in 1986 at the age of 24 and worked for two months. we built the Thonson Beach 4 km behind Big Buddha. Back then there was nothing but jungle. your words come from my heart. everything you wrote is true. big hug for you
@@auang I was on Samui 1985. You could get a bungalow (shack) on the beach for 80 baht a night with shower and toilet, 60 baht for communal shower. Every night the generators were turned off at 9pm and you were left in the dark. It was unbearable with no fan and mosquitos ate you up. Farang hippies used to come around selling beads and necklaces. The beaches on Phuket were a lot better and Phuket was more developed so I always ended up there. Travelling around Krabi and Phang- nga was a nightmare as all the roads were red gravel and you ended up covered in red dust. I road a motor bike from Phuket to Phang-nga and even Krabi, the old MTX 125 dirt bikes everybody used to rent. You could even ride them on the beaches back in those days.
There’s a German in my village who works in the rice fields and his shin is Thai tan colour,speaks only Thai and been there for over 34 yrs without a visa and even the coppers leave him alone.
What a fascinating journey Paul has been on. He's a great storyteller and someone we can all learn a thing or two from. I look forward to the next installment.
This has just blown me away. It has given me pause to reflect upon my own adventures and alarmingly to consider whether I have lived a life fulfilled at my advancing age. Hats off to Paul and of course you too Peter for this excellent content.
This is absolutely brilliant. The best one you have done so far. I think many of us watching can probably relate to him in some way too. What a guy. What a life. I look forward to part 2.
Came to thailand 1970 working for a uk company Foster Wheeler involved with the construction of the oil refinery at Siracha, we were told that our accom would be at small place called Pattaya hotel Nipa Lodge the place was dead had to go to BKK to phone UK no bars/girls/mbikes/police,immigration/shops etc etc all i ever saw were kids sat on buffalo where Sukhumvit rd is now, dont know why but after i retired in the 90s (oil platforms) i came back to spend my time in the land of smiles cheers to FosterWheeler
He’s a great story teller. Wisdom and happiness comes in many ways. Definitely not what I would choose to do in life, but I 100% respect his life choices and enjoyed listening to his stories. He’s the type of bloke you would buy a beer in pub for.
Deffo a goldmine of an interview this guy. Just does most of talking incredible 36 years I not even born then lol. Wow deffo got to hear more this guy.
He came a few years ahead of me. I really like this guy, since he has experienced so much and learned even more, and is totally open about who he is and what he have done. I admire that very much. So Im looking forward to next episode in your great channel!
It sure takes a lot to have the guts to be true to oneself and dare to share it in front of a camera. You are brave and for that you deserve all respect. Im already looking forward to next episode, since you have lived such a full life. Stay safe and continue to be you :)
What a superb and colourful story of life. Paul kind of revived my quest to travel across the miles. Thank you Paul and Tharish times for this interview. Great content here. 👍👌🙏
Great video, thanks for sharing your story, I spent 5 and a half years in Thailand it am now back with my thai wife and two children in England we’ve had, waiting for them to grow up then we’re both be back in Thailand.
The thing I love most about traveling/living in different parts of the world is meeting people like Paul, that can't be put in any category at all. He lives outside the matrix and I think you can never be sure when he will take a surprise turn and astonish you. Great interview and will look for the other interviews. Watching this makes me pack my bags and book a flight to go meet people like Paul. Really interesting!
Paul Wallis is a living, breathing, walking epic story. I love these interviews. First time I ever left home in the USA was to Thailand in 1989 and yes, his description of arriving at Don Muang, the wave of heat when the doors open and the sensory overload for the first 48 hours resonates so powerfully to me. So rich.
Lived over there from 2007 until 2010. Best piece of advice one of the old heads gave me shortly after I arrived was this "find something positive to occupy your time do and generate an income because if not you will eventually end up broke and alone" I ended up running a motorbike rental agency with a friend in Pattaya for a few years on Soi Baukow but after a couple of years of living there, I got tired of being treated like a second class citizen in a third world country... so I left.
Best interview yet. You let him talk and his story was amazing. Really lovely, humble, and articulate gentlemen you met. You're a lucky guy Pete to have come across such a wise and wonderful person.
Your experience with your wife was exactly the same as mine, of course, different, but you can learn a lot from a farm girl; I just lost her after 15 years of marriage, and I am totally devastated. It's nice to hear what the end could have been.
Fantastic interview and hopefully there is more to come from Paul. He tells his story well and had me reminiscing on my early backpacking days in Thailand, early 90's. Very different place back then. Keep up the good work Thairish Times 🍺
I like him, I see me. I go anywhere and do well. I flourish. He made me see me. I thought things were different, nope just the same. Appreciate him. Blessings to him.
I left the family home at 17 in 1980 travelled to the opposite side of Australia, at 19 I was in India, at 20 was hitching through Europe. visited Asian countries many times over the years and had many opportunities to stay in various parts and could easily have put down roots in Sri Lanka but always felt a deep urge to return "home". Paul is an interesting fella.
I've actually watched this 3 times now..Pete this is great content Paul is a ledge in his own right 💯🇹🇭 this is the content you need more of ..what a great guy is Paul btw 💯
i just found you last night. i cannot be here in America anymore. I have to go somewhere. Each of your interviews are insanely interesting and awesome!! and it makes realize that so many of you have changed your lives. And when it feels like you are stuck and the world i s closing in on you that is the most refreshing think i have ever experienced. Going through aot of shit and i am at that stage where i am sitting here scared shitless of the situation i am in and the not knowing the future or what the heck to do. I need to change. I have lost my family, friends and my wife. I dont really have anyone anmore. It cant be everyone elses fault so i really just think i gotta hit the road and truly find myself and see what the hell this world has to offer me. I can cry over a sunset. I can feel incredible butterflies when i look at the mountains, oceans. I just feel more than other people. I am going to hit the road and someday i am going to have a story and a memory of how things were shitty and they got better. I think all of you are so dang awesome that it kinda hits me hard how much more there is to life. I am already an adventurer in that i have lived in the mountains and did the skibum thing for 30 years. 100 days a year riding my snowboard and living a really good life until lately. i fell 30 feet off of a roof on a ladder that a big corporation set up and i crushed my leg. i ended up losing my job. my crew. my company. my house. my wife. my money. All my shit is in mass disarray ( im not the most organized anyway so when the proverbial shit hit the fan it was messy) Anyway. I have zero clue why i just shared that. Maybe because i think some of you might be me and right now im feeling pretty damn alone. of course no one around me understands that i need to hit the road. hell they have never understood me. and no matter what my successs in life have been i have always kind of never fit in. Its time to Ride the Road i guess. I have zero clue how to start this journey. my shit is in so much disarray i dont know where to start. i dont want to take the time but i dont want to just leave. paradoxical bullshit again limits me. I gotta end this dumb diatribe but i just wanted to say this channel is so dang awesome and all of you have inspired me to at least have hope. peace and im sorry for the long comment. i feel better now but im still facing that crazy ass feeling when you are about to jump over the cliff into the void for the best ride of your life. the one you probably better fucking land. all of you are awesome and i thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my crazy ass heart for all the inspiration. Much Love.
Absolutely the best Life interview I’ve ever seen! Grand character! You let him talk! This is Dynamite!!! So valuable to many to condense a person’s Life experiences into a conversation that las good Life Lessons. A classic accomplishment, hope this get you super stardom…. Thanks to him for so eloquently and honestly telling his story!
I discovered your channel today; this is the 3rd video I've watched. As others have pointed out, you have a good way of allowing your guest to tell their story, without cutting them off, and they must feel relaxed with you. Now I'm a new subscriber, and will check in every so often to see what new treasures you bring to share. Such diversity in the human family, everyone trying to find their way to peace, and happiness. God bless you, and your wife.
Wow deep amazing Paul interview of life after being disillusioned with life and decided to go backpack through 60 countries before settling in Thailand. I listen to all your interviews with him so fascinating but think this one is the best interview you had with him as makes you think how short life really is when you facing your own death and not done things you could of visited.
Okay I savoured every word. Paul is original. So glad your doing part 2 . Man! your a magnet to interesting people. In 1985 I was 21 working in a shit warehouse job and smoking too much pot. I never thought back then of going overseas ever. 🙏🙏🙏 Thanks for an entertaining story.
Links to Paul's Books:
A Wanderer's Words: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09YRT5F59
The Essential Expat's Guide To Living in Thailand: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00T1VJKLY
Part 2 with Paul: th-cam.com/video/kg7Us7hz94U/w-d-xo.html
I suppose Gerard Elliott loves a bit of this channel.
With a bad taste in my mouth i finally saw the whole "interview". In the beginning you trashed conservative folks (leave alone you have no concept on conservativism), but what is it you have done and seen? Nothing, i would say. Just nada!!! France and Thailand. Now you sit in some dumb village job- and toothless! You do not even leave that village - GREAT! You are not even Sixty, but look like an 85 year old Junkie. Blogger? You are a blogger??? Oh really? What you could possibly tell the world? How an uneducated 85-year old is surviving Thailand? You are in that country, in that village, because you have no other place to go. Is that not so, Grandpa??
WOW I'm totally blown away by the lovely comments. It makes me realise that I've had an interesting life.
As I mentioned in a previous message, I do find you to be an interesting man, very sharp, with a lifetime of unique experiences. I suspect a good soul as well.
It's not over yet , the life of this world is a mere pitstop . The Hereafter is forever , heaven and hell is real and God is One .
Yes, the comments are great. I am looking forward to hearing more of your life's story. Living here in paradise, New Zealand. Cheers
Great stories fella
@@yuugen999 Thank you Tomas
I see a lot of myself in Paul. I arrived in Thailand the 6th of April 1966 in the militay. Getting off the plane and being assaulted by the heat and smells at 01:30 in the morning I felt I was home. That feeling has never gone away an at 75 I am still here.
I got that every time in the early 80's . Amazing in those days! Just so sad not taking pictures ( cost of film and developing) I wish I had!
How much did she cost?
Wow, thats a long time ago. Still the same heat and humidity
You might have served in the Vietnam War, and we'd be interested in reading your story or hearing from you about it here on Thairish Times channel.
So, you came here in the military and never left? What, did you go AWOL?
Just a Wise Man who dared to live to the fullest, and learned pretty much everything. A formidable storyteller, a great pleasure to find a real gem of a Human Being, thanks so much for sharing this, cheers!
Came here to Thailand 33 years ago - after my second visit to India. I have spent 18 years of that time as a Buddhist monk. Still here in Thailand and still a Buddhist monk. I was born and 'raised' in London.
I am just beginning my inner journey Alan and I know it is right for me.
Super interesting, best of luck
@@ThairishTimes Thank and bless you. 😀
Paul is a poet. Completely present and aware of his past, his idea, his world.
It is rare to meet a person who can be your friend from the start.
I'm a poet and I don't know it! Thanks dude!
@@PaulWalliswriter make videos of your experiences on youtube!!!
An interviewer who lets his guests answer his questions and listens to them... a rare breed! But you really know what you are doing. Thank you!
Thanks Hans☺️☺️☺️
So true Hans
This guy made it easy.. did he say he was American??
That's the gift. Anyone can ask the questions. It takes a great interviewer to be interested in and listen to the answers putting their subject instead of themselves centre stage. Great interview.
@@turkfist527 thanks mate
My god, this is more than THE BEST INTERVIEW EVER, it is the life review conversation, deep, meaningful, heart hitting. Especially the moments he told the story about his wife. I just can’t even describe the feeling… so heartfelt.
Glad you enjoyed it. We filmed others with Paul too
Arrived in Thailand as a clueless 18 year old in 1983. Didn’t know Khao San road even existed. Spent a week eating after months in India on a 4 to 5 dollar a day budget. Spent another week feeling ill and a following week seeing Bangkok. Next was a trip to Kanchunsburi. There, the adventure began. A series of chance encounters brought be to the Burma border and eventually an invite to accompany the Karen National Liberation Army guerrillas on an operation across the Dawna Mountains to attack a Burma Army outpost. Nearly got my ass shot off, caught malaria and experienced things that changed my life forever. Thailand was the steppingstone for this and I returned many times. Weird and sometimes dangerous times, but I am thankful for all of it.
Wow thairishtimes@gmail.com if you’d like to tell a few stories here you’re more than welcome
After the first misadventures I was on and off the border for nearly the next twenty years. Met many survivors of horrific things. Also met a few who committed horrific things. It is a tragic, beautiful, and wildly complicated country. The borderlands seemed to attract more than its share of world class weirdos ranging from mercenaries to missionaries. Some with reasonably good intentions, others just out of their minds. I had no good reason to be there other than I was interested and for some odd reason I seemed to have the run of the place and was well looked after by the Karen.
Get yourself interviewed by Pete! I bet you have some fascinating tales to tell from a different perspective of Thailand.
After working for a year or so as a journalist in Cambodia I left the region in 2001 and have not been back. It was like a switch had been flipped. I was completely absorbed by Southeast Asia, then suddenly I wasn’t….. perhaps something to do with getting married and having kids. I really enjoy Pete’s interviews. It reminds me of the interesting characters I used to meet all the time over there.
@@stephenoconnell7636 Did you know the Barry sisters?
I've had the honour of meeting this Paul. He's certainly a true gent and has so many interesting stories to tell about his life experiences.. Total respect and all the best mate!
Yes I do recall our meeting sir!
Paul is my cup of tea, no bullshit and easy going, also a very intelligent man 👍👍
This is one of your best characters to date. I really didn’t want this to end. Great job!!
OMG Paul I think we lived the same start in life. Left school at 15.
Played local darts team at 16. Life was only work and pub.
Left UK and started my backpacking in France.
Went to the oil industry, worked around the world. Lived in Thailand in 1979. Great times.
Now retired and been living in Indonesia for 25 years
This is the best interview you had so far. What a guy this is. I am in awe
Fantastic, i’m very happy that you enjoyed it
Just happened upon these videos last night. This old guy"s stories are 🔥
liked the way you conducted the interview... calm, left him and us listening to the stories without interruption... you re doing this good❤
Thanks, I’m a big believer in letting someone tell a story. My job is guide the conversation
Totally agree! True talent !
Could not agree more. You have totally nailed the way to do these kind of interviews. Good job!
The only other interviewer I have come across like him is Shaun Attwood YT
Watching Paul was watching me! After 24 years leaving America I"m still here.
Paul your words about your wife and learning from her ring out loud and clean to me! I to have learned as much from my wife as she did from me and we were soul mates until I lost her in Sept. 2021. Now I am a lost soul trying to find my path. But , marriage is a work in progress and it takes effort , communication , and respect for each other to make it work! Contrats to you Paul, you came out a rose!
My Irish boyfriend is coming over to Thailand next week, and he was watching this video when we were on the phone. I heard the familiar voice, and I asked him what is he watching? He said a man who lived in Thailand for 36 years! So I kept listening, and I asked him, "Is his name happened to be Paul?"
Small world! Much respect for you, teacher Paul! I already respected you as my teacher back then, and you are a living legend.
wow small world indeed. Nice to hear that you have great respect and admiration for Paul. Your written English is superb too
Great to hear from an ex student!
That’s nice you can still remember your teacher … I hope every student remember their teachers❤️❤️❤️
I an kinda an old school falang. He got me beat by a mile. Loved the interview Pete. What a guy, he has had a great life. Perhaps that is you Pete in 30 years. Looking forward to more interviews
Cheers mate
5:00 awesome story 👍 great guy
Bro, I am from Los Angeles...Living now (last 2 months) in Puerto Vallarta Mexico...I stumbled upon your channel....I was just about to go to a Movie--Paul's story has so captivated me and wowed that i have missed the movie..the ending of his story has my eyes a bit wetter than usual....He Taught her,,,He was humbled, She Taught him....the story is Magical....Awesome!!!!....cant wait till next part.
Wow nice man, glad you gave this video your time and skipped the movie
Oh!! I'm gobsmacked... Paul lives just round the corner from me. I haven't seen him in ages. He's definitely a character and has quite the garden office setup.
Haha mate you live around there? It’s a good trek out of the city. Haha yeah the garden office set up is quality
@@ThairishTimes About 10 mins away. Moved out this way for my son's school about 7 years ago mate
Pete, you make an Irish woman proud, such a pleasure to see an interview where the host LISTENS!
Interesting man, well done really enjoyed, Thanks.
Thanks Eleanor, 🇮🇪☘️🇹🇭🙏
Omg, congratulations! This interview is amazing as someone that's in his thirties and has traveled quite a bit and has seen quite a bit of the world and how people think in this generation. I must say this interview is pure. No sugarcoating. Fantastic work!
Your Awake, NOT Woke!👍✌️
That was cool. Coming from the uk and now living in new zealand for 20 years. I miss my colourful family and friends. That was great to watch a real character. Thankyou
You’re very welcome
I swear it was the first time I felt interested in listening to an old story's man. Following his story from beginning until the end.
The Teacher Was Humble Enough Too Learn, Awesome Message Just There.
Such a transfer of knowledge from Paul to the young fella and us!
Paul you are a pure soul!
13 minutes in and I'm loving this interview! I'm 32 and relate so much to his story and search for "more" from life. I turned up in Thailand in 2015 and immediately fell in love. Spent 6 years there and returned to the UK last year to complete further studies. I miss Thailand every day and can't wait to return. Keep up the good work Pete!
It’s a magical place Rhys I feel ya mate
I can relate so much, and crazy that I have almost the same path as you did, expect it was 5 years during which I spent 3 years in Thailand. Went back to my home country, finished my degree that I already started during that 5 years, and now got a good career job back here.
I dream about moving to Thailand permanently and feel like I'm wasting time here. When I got enough work experience in my field and somewhat good capital buffer, off I go.
Excellent story teller and interview
I went to Thailand Christmas 84/85 when I was 22. I just turned 60. It was very undeveloped in the South back then with many roads being gravel. I travelled by road from Penang up through Had Yai to Phuket which was a paradise back then. Spent a lot of time on Phuket but 10 years ago moved to Nakhon Si Thammarat. Remember going to Ao Nang back in '85 and there was nothing there. Some older guys I knew were on Samui in 1972! You had to stay with the fishermen in their huts. Paul seems a little pickled to me, been going way to hard on the turps for too long, he looks about 80 LOL. I feel a bit sorry for the younger people travelling to Thailand these days as they'll never get to experience the un-spoilt beauty we enjoyed back in the day. Mind you getting around is a lot more comfortable these days. There was basically no domestic flights except for Phuket, Chiang Mai etc. It was the dreaded orange rattler busses to get to most places outside of the main tourist areas. No computers, no mobile phones, you put a stamp on a postcard!
true, much too easy...they get upset if they can't find a vegan resto, etc.
I don,t feel sorry for the younger people traveling to Thailand these days at all many seem like spoiled arrogant brats who would not last more than a few days really ruffing it. Mommy, daddy, paying their expenses and begging for money on TH-cam e- beggers.
my dear friend, i am the same young as you. 60. i came to samui in 1986 at the age of 24 and worked for two months. we built the Thonson Beach 4 km behind Big Buddha. Back then there was nothing but jungle. your words come from my heart. everything you wrote is true. big hug for you
@@auang I was on Samui 1985. You could get a bungalow (shack) on the beach for 80 baht a night with shower and toilet, 60 baht for communal shower. Every night the generators were turned off at 9pm and you were left in the dark. It was unbearable with no fan and mosquitos ate you up. Farang hippies used to come around selling beads and necklaces. The beaches on Phuket were a lot better and Phuket was more developed so I always ended up there. Travelling around Krabi and Phang- nga was a nightmare as all the roads were red gravel and you ended up covered in red dust. I road a motor bike from Phuket to Phang-nga and even Krabi, the old MTX 125 dirt bikes everybody used to rent. You could even ride them on the beaches back in those days.
Knowing you were 22 in 1985 and now you’re 60 sort of bothers me about my age. Lol
There’s a German in my village who works in the rice fields and his shin is Thai tan colour,speaks only Thai and been there for over 34 yrs without a visa and even the coppers leave him alone.
Wow. That’s amazing. I bet his life story would be fascinating
@@ThairishTimes lets find him if he wants to be found😊
Wow what an interview that would be
Metamorphasis.
Yes, please locate him!
What a fascinating journey Paul has been on. He's a great storyteller and someone we can all learn a thing or two from. I look forward to the next installment.
Great 30 minutes of my day listening to him. Hope to hear him conclude this interview.
This has just blown me away. It has given me pause to reflect upon my own adventures and alarmingly to consider whether I have lived a life fulfilled at my advancing age. Hats off to Paul and of course you too Peter for this excellent content.
Fantastic I’m glad you enjoyed it
Thanks interviewer for not interruption, keep up the good work, you will go far mate,excellent subjectivity, personal insight
I didn’t want this interview to end! Wow. A true character and it’s a shame he doesn’t go out much as he’d be great to talk too in a bar!
Me neither!! Mesmerized and in awe the whole video.
lol, he has mastered the art of telling stories 😄
I was reluctant to watch this for personal reasons, I'm so glad that I did. This is a brilliant interview. There is more than one path in life.
This is absolutely brilliant. The best one you have done so far. I think many of us watching can probably relate to him in some way too. What a guy. What a life. I look forward to part 2.
Came to thailand 1970 working for a uk company Foster Wheeler involved with the construction of the oil refinery at Siracha, we were told that our accom would be at small place called Pattaya hotel Nipa Lodge the place was dead had to go to BKK to phone UK no bars/girls/mbikes/police,immigration/shops etc etc all i ever saw were kids sat on buffalo where Sukhumvit rd is now, dont know why but after i retired in the 90s (oil platforms) i came back to spend my time in the land of smiles cheers to FosterWheeler
He’s a great story teller. Wisdom and happiness comes in many ways. Definitely not what I would choose to do in life, but I 100% respect his life choices and enjoyed listening to his stories. He’s the type of bloke you would buy a beer in pub for.
Paul is 100% right.... life is so short and the one thing in life that most who are facing the end think about is what they didn't do or didn't go...
True
Spot on Mark
His story is very believable, not a fantasist. Watched it till the end. Will watch the other videos, very interesting guy
I think you’ll enjoy the others if you liked this one. The last one with Paul was my favourite out of the 5
Deffo a goldmine of an interview this guy. Just does most of talking incredible 36 years I not even born then lol. Wow deffo got to hear more this guy.
nothing beats a good story from a good story teller
He came a few years ahead of me. I really like this guy, since he has experienced so much and learned even more, and is totally open about who he is and what he have done.
I admire that very much.
So Im looking forward to next episode in your great channel!
Thanx Stig, it does take something to open up like this. Peace and Love
It sure takes a lot to have the guts to be true to oneself and dare to share it in front of a camera.
You are brave and for that you deserve all respect.
Im already looking forward to next episode, since you have lived such a full life.
Stay safe and continue to be you :)
@@TheStigOlsson I'll die in my sleep at the ripe old age of 106.
@@PaulWalliswriter Chicken... If my wheelchair dont fail me I plan to live until Im 125 ;)
Wow, these 30 min felt like 1 min, amazing to listen to him!!
Cant wait for the next vid!!!
Keep up the good work!
It's amazing how backpacking takes it out of you. Paul is only 27 years old.
Seriously tho great interview, what a legend...
Amazing guy natural story teller peopleperson the david crockett of asia😮😮 youre lucky too meet this guy
What a superb and colourful story of life. Paul kind of revived my quest to travel across the miles. Thank you Paul and Tharish times for this interview. Great content here. 👍👌🙏
Thank you Sonia, if I inspire one person to travel, I'll die a happy man!
Great video, thanks for sharing your story, I spent 5 and a half years in Thailand it am now back with my thai wife and two children in England we’ve had, waiting for them to grow up then we’re both be back in Thailand.
Paul it was lovely to hear your story. I think you have many more stories we would like to hear. Great interview
The thing I love most about traveling/living in different parts of the world is meeting people like Paul, that can't be put in any category at all. He lives outside the matrix and I think you can never be sure when he will take a surprise turn and astonish you.
Great interview and will look for the other interviews.
Watching this makes me pack my bags and book a flight to go meet people like Paul. Really interesting!
I'm hooked can't wait for the next instalment of this fascinating interview. Paul is a great raconteur. Well done!
Paul Wallis is a living, breathing, walking epic story. I love these interviews. First time I ever left home in the USA was to Thailand in 1989 and yes, his description of arriving at Don Muang, the wave of heat when the doors open and the sensory overload for the first 48 hours resonates so powerfully to me. So rich.
I have been going to Thailand since 1988, so i can relate exactly to what Paul is saying, retiring there next year.
This was so good. Could listen to him talk for 3 all day
Lived over there from 2007 until 2010. Best piece of advice one of the old heads gave me shortly after I arrived was this "find something positive to occupy your time do and generate an income because if not you will eventually end up broke and alone"
I ended up running a motorbike rental agency with a friend in Pattaya for a few years on Soi Baukow but after a couple of years of living there, I got tired of being treated like a second class citizen in a third world country... so I left.
There are lessons in life for us all sir!
What’s a great guy Paul was ,, nice stories about life,, cannot wait for the second part of his stories, a lot of wisdom…
Next one is hilarious
Best interview yet. You let him talk and his story was amazing. Really lovely, humble, and articulate gentlemen you met. You're a lucky guy Pete to have come across such a wise and wonderful person.
Yeah it was a good day listening to Paul for hours in the sunshine
Thank you so much for your comment.
been coming since 1980 & stayed since 2000 - never going back!! great changes esp prices!!
If you let Paul talk, you'd be there for 3 weeks. Unbelievable. A fountain of stories.
I’m going back this Friday to film more
Great interviewing, Thairish. Some good choices of people, questions and allowance in letting them speak.
Great interview. Thanks to both of you.
Your experience with your wife was exactly the same as mine, of course, different, but you can learn a lot from a farm girl; I just lost her after 15 years of marriage, and I am totally devastated. It's nice to hear what the end could have been.
Stay strong for her, brother. You can live the best life for her until the time you leave this earth to reunite with her again. 🌸
Fantastic interview and hopefully there is more to come from Paul. He tells his story well and had me reminiscing on my early backpacking days in Thailand, early 90's. Very different place back then. Keep up the good work Thairish Times 🍺
Its nice to hear something real and true on the internet
What an interesting guy, brilliant interview, look forward to the next one.
Glad you liked it Audrey🙏🙏🙏
Thank you for that I am thinking of moving to Asia it gave me a bit of confidence
Best one ever!!!
Wish Ida done that back Ina day...
That first impression of thailand……must be universal, the heat the culture shock the smiling people so disarming . Wonderful
Enjoyed the interview would love to see more of Paul and his stories.
My favourite interview so far, could listen to him for hours.
What a character, free spirit he is.
WOW BLESS HIS SOUL! I had tears listening to his stories. 🙏💜
The best storytime i have ever heard. He is just a living testimony
I like him, I see me. I go anywhere and do well. I flourish. He made me see me. I thought things were different, nope just the same. Appreciate him. Blessings to him.
Paul is fantastic. He needs to be a recurring guest. He could tell stories every few weeks or so!
We’ve actually had a chat about that
@@ThairishTimes nice! Go for it!
What a beautiful story. As an interviewer, it was very good that you allowed Paul to take the listener thru the journey. Thanks!
Thanks, i’m glad you like this interview style 🙏🙏🙏
Great interview. Paul is a good friend and has so many experiences to share.
Great interview and what an interesting life. Paul is such a great story teller and gives inspiration to follow my dreams.
I left the family home at 17 in 1980 travelled to the opposite side of Australia, at 19 I was in India, at 20 was hitching through Europe. visited Asian countries many times over the years and had many opportunities to stay in various parts and could easily have put down roots in Sri Lanka but always felt a deep urge to return "home". Paul is an interesting fella.
Not long enough
This guy has 100s more stories
Very good
Really enjoyed it
Please get him back
I've actually watched this 3 times now..Pete this is great content Paul is a ledge in his own right 💯🇹🇭 this is the content you need more of ..what a great guy is Paul btw 💯
Nice one Mark. I’ve watched it myself a few times too
@@ThairishTimes great interview get a coffee in you 😉🤣🤣🤣🇹🇭
i just found you last night. i cannot be here in America anymore. I have to go somewhere. Each of your interviews are insanely interesting and awesome!! and it makes realize that so many of you have changed your lives. And when it feels like you are stuck and the world i s closing in on you that is the most refreshing think i have ever experienced. Going through aot of shit and i am at that stage where i am sitting here scared shitless of the situation i am in and the not knowing the future or what the heck to do. I need to change. I have lost my family, friends and my wife. I dont really have anyone anmore. It cant be everyone elses fault so i really just think i gotta hit the road and truly find myself and see what the hell this world has to offer me. I can cry over a sunset. I can feel incredible butterflies when i look at the mountains, oceans. I just feel more than other people. I am going to hit the road and someday i am going to have a story and a memory of how things were shitty and they got better. I think all of you are so dang awesome that it kinda hits me hard how much more there is to life. I am already an adventurer in that i have lived in the mountains and did the skibum thing for 30 years. 100 days a year riding my snowboard and living a really good life until lately. i fell 30 feet off of a roof on a ladder that a big corporation set up and i crushed my leg. i ended up losing my job. my crew. my company. my house. my wife. my money. All my shit is in mass disarray ( im not the most organized anyway so when the proverbial shit hit the fan it was messy) Anyway. I have zero clue why i just shared that. Maybe because i think some of you might be me and right now im feeling pretty damn alone. of course no one around me understands that i need to hit the road. hell they have never understood me. and no matter what my successs in life have been i have always kind of never fit in. Its time to Ride the Road i guess. I have zero clue how to start this journey. my shit is in so much disarray i dont know where to start. i dont want to take the time but i dont want to just leave. paradoxical bullshit again limits me. I gotta end this dumb diatribe but i just wanted to say this channel is so dang awesome and all of you have inspired me to at least have hope. peace and im sorry for the long comment. i feel better now but im still facing that crazy ass feeling when you are about to jump over the cliff into the void for the best ride of your life. the one you probably better fucking land. all of you are awesome and i thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my crazy ass heart for all the inspiration. Much Love.
hey buddy, just follow your heart. I think you need to take the plunge and travel. You can do it
Stay positive dude! The universe is on your side!
This guy is the real deal. What a find!! Good work turning on the recorder and letting him go. 👍
Wow, must admit his life sounds interesting & amazing.. Lots of experience. Can't wait to hear d other part of d stories
Absolutely the best Life interview I’ve ever seen! Grand character! You let him talk! This is Dynamite!!! So valuable to many to condense a person’s Life experiences into a conversation that las good Life Lessons. A classic accomplishment, hope this get you super stardom…. Thanks to him for so eloquently and honestly telling his story!
Glad you enjoyed it. Let’s go viral!!
Wow a half hour felt like five minutes! Looking forward to part two!
I discovered your channel today; this is the 3rd video I've watched. As others have pointed out, you have a good way of allowing your guest to tell their story, without cutting them off, and they must feel relaxed with you. Now I'm a new subscriber, and will check in every so often to see what new treasures you bring to share. Such diversity in the human family, everyone trying to find their way to peace, and happiness. God bless you, and your wife.
Thank you very much Jon and all the very best to you
What a fascinating guy , can't wait for the rest of his stories .
Thank you sir for being so transparent and open about your journey 👍🏽
Wow deep amazing Paul interview of life after being disillusioned with life and decided to go backpack through 60 countries before settling in Thailand. I listen to all your interviews with him so fascinating but think this one is the best interview you had with him as makes you think how short life really is when you facing your own death and not done things you could of visited.
Key is the stay away from bar scene this way you can live happily as a expat in Asia.
Okay I savoured every word. Paul is original. So glad your doing part 2 . Man! your a magnet to interesting people. In 1985 I was 21 working in a shit warehouse job and smoking too much pot. I never thought back then of going overseas ever.
🙏🙏🙏 Thanks for an entertaining story.
Nice one Ian, what a story eh
Just... wow. Best guest yet! (and that's saying something). Can't wait for part 2!
Cheers Pete, glad you liked it mate 🙏
So cool my guest trip was 1984 love his talking about tgg he e Thai education. System brilliant
I really loved this heart felt life story. I would be so happy if you could have another interview with this wise man, thanks💙
There will be 3 more Sir!