An American in Bangkok Since 1977 ("the Longer I'm Here, the More I Realise the Less I Know")
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 มี.ค. 2024
- Russell arrived in Bangkok, Thailand in October 1977 after completing his work on Apocalypse Now in the Phillipines (he was Marlon Brando's body double), and here he remains. AKA the Rascal, Russell is not your average Bangkok bar-leaning expat: he lives deep in the suburbs of Bangkok on a large plot of land he bought and built a nice house upon many years ago. Russell has enough stories on Thailand, the people and places to last a lifetime. Today, we chat about 1977 until the mid to late eighties.
If you'd like to see me out wandering the land again, then don't hesitate to donate or even sponsor a video or roadtrip:
www.buymeacoffee.com/jimmybyrne
Today's filming location: www.google.com/maps/place/Mot...
Contact details - the man's name is Ball: / msprom9
My dear deceased Irish father visited Bangkok in 1952. There were no foreigners. He would walk down a street and the restaurant owners would usher him into their restaurants and feed him for free. It was an honour for them to display him in the front window so that people could see him eating there. He travelled down to Malaya, sleeping in Buddhist temples, and he was drafted into the British army, posted at Butterworth across the water from Penang.
Wow, I bet that was an amazing time to be here! Did he tell you many stories of that time? 🙏
@@JBWanders73 not much about Thailand. But he ran away from the army, getting a job as a cook on a tanker, he sailed all the way to Philadelphia, got off the ship. Somewhere in USA he met a young Thai. He stood up against some American guys who were bullying the young Thai. They became friends. The young Thai was the son of a general who ruled Thailand. Years later the young Thai became a general and ended up ruling Thailand government also. His name was General Narong Kittikishorn. ( Don't know if the spelling is correct).
Narong Kittikachorn.
@@manflynil9751 Oh!! Really great story! Sounds like my kind of guy
Thanks @@promlavoie6179
I arrived in March 1977. Was an extra in The Deer Hunter. Still here.
Love the Deer Hunter! Let me know if you'd like to chat on camera as I'd like to get as many memories filmed so that they stay alive... we could start with Deer Hunter and go from there.
Yes. Would love to hear your experience
wow
You would have known Noi from Mike's Place. Maybe you were even in that bar scene.
@@villagefarang I did and I was. The scene was shot in the Mississippi Queen with Noi
Taxis without meters and aircon were still the thing in to the 90s. It was brilliant when metered/aircon came in.
Woodstock was where you went to eat and avoid being pestered by the girls.
Never realized Nancy Chandlers map was around in the 70s. He's probably like me; you forget way more than you can remember its so long ago - i really regret not keeping a diary.
The journey to Pattaya through Chonburi through Sri Racha was ....long and boring back then.
Enjoyed the memories.
I must admit I was surprised that Nancy's map was around then - the first was in 1974 apparently. Every time I see Russell, he seems to have remembered another story. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Apparently there's still alot of taxis without meters there. 'Meter no work sir, me gibb you velly good plice' all with a Smirk on their faces😂
What a character. Brilliant video!
Thanks.... he certainly is!
As a thai born in 1983 the very last era of black plate cap.
Wow such a nostalgia listening to his story.
Thanks very much indeed khrap 🙏✌🙏
This guy has a fantastic voice, personality, and a great story teller. Could listen and listen. Thanks for sharing JB!
I'll tell him - he will love that! I'm just happy you can see that on camera because he really does have a great personality. He was Marlon Brando's body double in Apocalypse Now before he arrived in Thailand (we did a video on that too). Thanks for watching 🙏
The most underrated channel on the tube! Awesome! Russ will have reams of stories.
Thanks Paul.... he has loads of stories mate
You should make videos, you'd be popular on TH-cam...
I arrived in 1970 stayed at the Miami Hotel which was on Sukhumvit Soi13 and still is. Yes a lot different than today. Came back for a visit in 1998 and came back every year for about 5 years. It is different today than before covid. All of the Japanese restaruants are a new arrival. There were Japanese restaruants but not to the extent they are today. Bangkok you either love it or hate it.
The Russel from the Apocalypse movie, he indeed has some good stories. The more I watch JB wanders , the More I Realise the Less I Know. Yes bring back Digging Deeper With JB 🙏
Yes, that's the one.... Thanks mate. Some of the people and places he casually mentions are legends, such as 'Shrimp' and the 'Woodstock'. have a wonderful weekend.... chúc may mắn, my friend
💪💪Thanks JB@@JBWanders73
Congratulations to these wonderful experiences in Bangkok at that time. My Father brought me over in 1979 and we stayed at the Holiday Inn in Silom - round windows. I was 9 years at this point of life. Believe it or not - I am living in Thailand since almost 20 years now - first in Bangkok and now in Najomtien. It was the right choice. Great to see this very interesting interview - most of my friends sis not have the chance to be here in these days. My respect and all the best wishes from Frank
Thanks a lot Frank. I spent a lot of the 'lockdown' in Jomtien and NaJomtien - I loved the fact it was so quiet! I could live in NaJomtien in a heartbeat 🙏
First visited Bangkok in 1982. Lived there from 1987 to 2007 - I know Shrimp well - he was my first client. I once assisted with the baby oil for a calendar photoshoot.
Wow, now that's a memory haha. Are you still in contact? I'd love to interview him. I found him on Facebook but would rather not just approach him out of the blue!
Haven't remained in touch since I left Thailand in 2007. I think his office is still on Suk.Soi 20@@JBWanders73
Im a photographer also.....just ask him if he would be interested in reminiscing about his first photo shoots back when? He could bring some old shots too if he'd like...Cheers @@JBWanders73
Those of us who have lived here since the mid 70s definitely have a lot of stories but they can be very very different. It is very hard to really paint a picture of what things were like back then.
I was always a little surprised by guys who married quickly. I stayed single for the first 20 years.
I concur completely.... If i sat down and talked to 20 different long-term expats, the stories would be incredibly different. Aha, a wise man! That's one piece of advice I would give: do not get married too quickly! What part of the country did you settle in?
@@JBWanders73 I lived in Bangkok for 30 years before moving to Chiang Rai 17 years ago. My wife is from Chiang Rai and we have been married for 27 years now.
You certainly picked a beautiful area of the country... have a great day
Great interview and great channel. Glad I found it.
Thanks Mike, appreciate that mate. Welcome aboard.
Great video. Been going there for 36 years, it's good to hear how things have changed.👍
Thanks mate, much appreciated 🙏
Need more interviews like that mate. AWESOME STUFF.
GET HIM BACK AND PICK HIS BRAINS 🧠. Ibet he'd have heaps more stuff about the old days of Bangkok
Cheers Warren, I have some more coming up with Russel. He was Marlon Brando's body double in Apocalypse now, believe it or not. I also interviewed an 86 year old ex-Air America guy last week.. that one should be great 🙏
I first arrived in Bangkok in December 78,we drove through rice fields from Don Muang to downtown Bangkok.Stayed at the Asia Hotel and there was a curfew in Bangkok at midnight and it was still there in 79.Went again in 82 and it had gone.Married the girl i met in 78 who worked for the Asia group in 79.She was at the demo that the troops shot the students at Tammassat.She is still in touch with many of her Uni friends and they tell some great stories.
These days the Asia Hotel is reputed to be the most haunted hotel in Bangkok. I may go and stay a night! Oh, I bet your wife and friends have some VERY interesting stories about that time. Cheers Thomas 🙏✌
Great stories!
Glad you like them!
How about that 😊 The American guy from the 70s in Thailand until now; so awesome 🙏👍🇹🇭
Thanks a lot, glad you enjoyed it 🙏🙏✌
There are several
@@ekimandersom4478 cool 👍
Several hundred mate, at least... I will talk to an 85 year old Vietnam vet next week
@@JBWanders73 My dad was an American veteran from Vietnam war. He retired in Chiang Mai, but sadly he passed away years ago.
Happened the same to me ... 41 years ago. Malaysia Hotel, Blue Fox ... I am still here.
Wow, I bet you have some tales. Do you still live in Bangkok? ✌✌
@JBWanders73 Well closeby .. Nonthaburi. But will move to Pattaya next week.
Bangkok was quiet and hardly any traffic. We had trams everywhere in Bangkok. Good old days. I was there last month for a month and so many high rises, buildings, and lots of traffic.
I would have loved to be here to witness the trams and less traffic, especially as the old part of Bangkok is so beautiful!
Great one , Jim. Really interesting look at the old days.I saw, Russell's T-shirt and I really fancied a cider. Hopefully a part two !
Thanks mate! Get yourself down the shops lad and get some fizzy apple juice - you'll be trying to fight me for a caravan after your 7th haha. There's a part 2,3,4,5 and 6 likely haha
@@JBWanders73 just don't let me drink Diamond White. I will tip your caravan over.
Nice oneThe Guy's accent, best $tateside one I've ever listened to, you guys could go on forever..... Bless you.
Ah, thanks mate. He's quite a character..
Great to hear about Bangkok in the past, and feel goodand wonder at the same time how Bangkok has been developed through these years till today. Thanks for the incredible story.
Very welcome 🙏
More please !
You got it mate!
Good stuff.
Thanks 🙏🙏🙏
Ask Russel if he remembers the all-night coffee shop in Malaysia Hotel, where you watch videos on a big screen eat the best cheeseburgers and frys , and also the love guest house across the street.
I will ask him.... I bet he has some tales haha. I have a friend who has lived on Soi Sri Bumphen since 1979. His place backs on to the land where the Boston Inn was. He has many stories about the coffee shop, the Blue Fox and the love hotel. I never made it to the coffee shop myself but I hear it was quite the place. I made a video about the area and the Malaysia a while ago mate. 🙏
@@JBWanders73 well worth a watch.
I always liked the 80's Jaguar XJ6 in classic British racing green of course. I owned a TR7 of all cars, it was my first car back in the 80's.
Yes, a lovely car (did you see the 'Parliament' badge? I wonder who used to own it? Ah, the TR7.... I remember it well. My mate had a TR6 convertible but he crashed it into the back of a bus, the silly billy 🙏🙏
I noticed that badge. TR6 are super cool, been looking at them . Just have not found a nice one as of yet. I am always looking for a clean XJ6 to buy too.@@JBWanders73
You could find a clean XJ6 here mate, but it would be a right hand drive and cost the Earth to ship it to the States! You'd be surprised at what cars are lurking around here!
I would never buy one over seas and ship it mate, state of California has too many safety and emissions headaches to even consider doing that. There are many nice cars here to find.@@JBWanders73
@@JBWanders73Just sold my beloved TR6 to move to Thailand. 😭
Arrived Dec 5 1977 been here ever since
What part of Thailand do you live in Michael?
@@JBWanders73I live in Chiang Mai now but I was sent here by my Insurance company to run their operation in Bangkok I ran 3 insurance companies and one insurance brokerage company. My wife is from Chiang Mai and I would fly home every weekend. My oldest son is a Thai policeman here in Chiang Mai and the younger works for Air Asia at the Chiang Mai airport.The 80s and 70s where a great time here, remember paying extra for air conditioning? I was stationed in the US Air Force at Udorn Thani air base in 68/89.
Tell me your story jb
I can relate sooooo much! My beloved husband was a Directional Driller, gone a lot but lots of free time! We spent three winters in Thailand Hua Hin and Chiang Mai. One of the couple we knew stayed in Thailand near Myanmar and are still there.
I am leaving in June to go visit her, her husband has recently passed. Looking forward to the visit, been 37 years! Hahahah damn I am getting old!
Great video!
Oh... a lot has changed in 37 years but I am sure you will love your return to Thailand. Thanks very much 🙏✌❤
Great to hear about Thailand in the late 70’s and early 80’s. I can certainly remember some of the things Russell mentioned like the Nancy Chandler map, the Shrimp calendars and taxis before they were metered. Russell’s an interesting guy and it’s good to see this video get some views
I'm talking to an 85 year old this week who used to own bars back in the day (he is known as Dirty Jim so should be a bit of a character haha). Currently trying to get hold of Shrimp too. Thanks mate - he's got so much more to say, so I'm happy a few people have watched this one!
My first Thai girlfriend was also a Muslim. That was in 1981. I forget the exact neighborhood where she lived, but I remember that you had to walk on boards laying across mud to reach the old wooden house.
Khlong Toey ??
That's probably where it was. I was disoriented at the time and just don't remember.
The word Russell was looking for near the beginning is "jetway" or "jetbridge". I remember those days of getting off the plane and having to walk down the boarding stairs at Don Muang.
I didn't know there was a Miami Hotel on Petchaburi. The only I remember was on Sukhumvit Soi 13.
I think Russell's memory is slipping. 3,000 baht wasn't "crazy money" for renting a house in those days. I came in a few years after he did, and people were paying over 3,000 baht for an apartment. A bit of hyperbole there.
Dusit Thani was 23 floors, not 10.
The video makes it sound like Soi Cowboy didn't exist in those days. It did. It was an "R&R" spot for American G.I.s during the Vietnam War. R.G. "Cowboy" Edwards wasn't the first person to open a bar on that soi. It was Bernard Trink who coined the name of the soi after Edwards and his iconic hat. Russell is referring to the name of the soi. True, it wasn't called Soi Cowboy in the beginning, but it was a hangout spot in the '70s.
Air-conditioned bus service started in 1978. There were many around by the mid-80s.
The "dee" in "Tom and Dee" does not mean good, it's short for "lady". "Tom" is short for "tomboy".
Russell has some great stories, but it would've been better if you could've reined him in a bit more. The old-timers tell some great stories but don't look at them as a wealth of information when they can't get their facts straight.
Still, I'll give the video a thumbs up for making the effort to provide some original content and not just following the crowd. 👍
Why let the facts get in the way of a good story? lol
This is really good - you should do a podcast or interview channel... Maybe call it something like Digging Deeper With JB?
Hmmmm, that sounds like a great idea JB
Hmmm, same JB we all know😂. Your 2nd channel Jimmy
It's my original channel where I used to upload my "beats" and remixes. I deleted them all, drew a quick doodle for the thumbnail and changed the name... I've been thinking of uploading interviews and doing a podcast there. I know so many people I could interview if only I asked (s0me famous here). What do you think mate?
@@JBWanders73 that would be a great idea Jimmy 👍
Thanks- really enjoyed the interview.
Glad you enjoyed it 🙏🙏
In 1970-71 Bangkok I worked in a US military office (we were civilians) with a Black lady (think her name was Yvonne Edwards). Her husband was into opening bars. I’m pretty sure her husband was Cowboy. I wish I could meet someone who knew him and could confirm.
It's the same surname so it is entirely possible! I know that he opened that first bar, relocated it. He then had the first bar on Washington Square. His final place was the New Cowboy on Sukhumvit 22; it's still there apparently!!
nice one!!
Thank you! Cheers!
Dusit was built in 1970, 23 stories, and remained the tallest building until 1978, with the opening of the 26-story Chokchai Tower. Chokchai was surpassed in 1981, with the opening of the 33-story Bangkok Bank headquarters on Silom Road.
Good to know - thanks. That's why I asked the question, as I had often heard the Dusit was the tallest for a while. After Bangkok Bang, Baiyoke 1?
@@JBWanders73 I believe so
@@JBWanders73 funny how your interviewee thought the Dusit was 6 stories.
The 1am Bangkok curfew he references lasted from 1976 until 1982. Quite a long time. Those caught on the streets after 1am were taken to a field near the ministry of defense and had to stay there until dawn. The mosquitoes were so dense and so ferocious you'd never want to get caught out after that.
Nice one, thanks for the content. I can't find the info/name or links for the guy who does the riding courses and the actual racetrack itself. Would appreciate the info, cheers.
Sorry mate, I forgot.... I'll put it in the description now mate.... His name is Ball and he owns the coffee shop there.... facebook.com/msprom9/
@@JBWanders73 Cheers JB 👍
Very welcome!
My first trip to Bangkok was in June 1978 at the age of 21.. No traffic congestion so from Sukhumvit to Patpong was a quick 10-15 min taxi ride. I stayed at the Federal Hotel at the end of Soi 11. Before internet so didnt know about the Thermae until a few years later. Hung out mainly at the Grace Hotel coffee shop that had lots of hot freelancers. Back then many westerners still hung out there before it becoming a mostly middle-eastern hangout years later. Freelancers were around 500b for the hotties and down to 300b for the lesser ones.
Sometimes took out girls from an MP called Happy Happy down the road from Nana Hotel. MPs back then had long term options for the girls, so she could stay with you till next day or longer. The GF experience was more genuine back then and the girls were more submissive and eager to please than later years. Nana Plaza was of course non-existent until around 1985.
Interesting guy! I always get a kick out of the TH-camrs that have been here a year or two and think they understand anything about this culture, the women etc. 20 years for me and I still don’t know squat!
Thanks mate. Yes, there's quite a few who have been here a year or so and are offering "relocation, culture and consultancy services", yet they haven't left the 'safety net' of Sukhumvit yet 🙏😁
Fyi, Tom and Dee are actually mean Tomboy and Lady. Dee isn’t mean good. ดี = good ดี้ = short from lady. They are different word. It is very interesting to listen to him though. He knows about Bangkok more than me. Granted I haven’t live there for 27 years.
Thanks for mate and cheers for the info 🙏✌
I spent my teenage years in Thailand in the 60's and later worked on the UT pipeline there in 1978-80. My question is if Nick's number 1 is still there ?. It was my favorite restaurant. I lived there when Sukumvit had a klong down the middle.
It's long gone I'm afraid. It was on Sathorn Road when there was a khlong there. I know it was an old wooden building but I can't seen to find out if the building is still there.
Well you do remember the place , yeah it was on Sathorn road. The owner was a friend of mine - his brother had painted the mural right after the war. They had great Kobi beef. I loved Bangkok before it became western in the late 60's. @@JBWanders73
❤❤❤!
Thanks Gerald 🙏
“You had to negotiate the price with them(taxis)” “And tourist paid more, locals paid less” 😂😂 ok so the only thing that’s changed since 1977 is aircon got it 😊
🙏✌😂
Wow…this is hard to watch jumping back and forth and skipping around. I’m moving along
Well, this isn't the BBC mate. I'm trying haha
Woodstock bar food takeout eaten at the cathouse while drinking the 100 baht all you can drink beer chang daily happy hour from 1pm - 7pm 😘
Sounds great!
Holy shit yes the ANTS!! Hahahaha
How do you pay for your expenses in Thailand since 1978????
I will ask him in the next video. He's had a number of businesses over the years.
What about the visa situation?
I don't think it's ever been much of a problem. He is currently on a retirement visa, and I'm sure he has been on many different visas over the decades.
Its not a competition 😂
It isn't? Oh dear.... OK, I'll be sure to let both Russell and HR know forthwith Peter. I'm curious Peter, who is in competition and who with? Is it Russell? Is it me Peter? Is it a competition to see which 72 year old has the most teeth in Thailand? Or is it about who has been in Thailand the longest (because I surely have a winner up my sleeve haha). Have a lovely day Peter 😂🙏
@@JBWanders73 Some seem to think how long they have been here, which they never stop mentioning, is some sort of achievnent 😂
🙏✌
Amateur. Been here since '65.
Great - you win for sure!! I bet you have some fantastic stories ✌🙏 I hope you don't mind me asking: did you originally visit as a hippy, were you in the military, a businessman or something else altogether?
Amateur, I’ve been here since 1856
@@silentwalker-ns9cy -
Nothing as boring as old ex pats droning on about the good old days
And yet, Clive, you not only watched it but wasted your time in commenting. Addaboy Clive! 😂🙏😂
I 100% agree. It’s sort of “sad” in a way listening to these ancient guys dronings on about the good old days. (For reference- I am 71 and been here since 1976). And truth be told it’s actually NOT all that different. For gods-sake, when I would ride my motorcycle up to Chiang Mai/Rai in the mid-70’s the roads were excellent all the way, yet I hear some old idiots trying to tell how such a trip was an “adventure”. Old guys talking about the “old days” is a mega cringe for me!!
And yet here you are, droning on Abu . I'm sure you're going to love the stories from the 80s, 90s and 2000s then Abu haha... FYI, Russell only talked on camera because I asked him to and he only acquiesced because he is a really nice guy. He currently lives a very fulfilling life and has done extremely well for himself... He travelled extensively all over Thailand in the 70s and 80s filming and often talks about how great the roads were compared to the Phillipines. Have a lovely day Abu
Perhaps this channel is not for you. Go look at the young ones giving their expert advice about Nana and how they have lived here for two years but are experts.' You may enjoy that rubbish. Not that crap does make me cringe. Thanks to you and Russell. I for one, can't wait for part two.
@@AbuShenab what are you talking about!! I am only 53 and been going to BKK and Thailand multiple times annually for the last 30 years. The place has changed TONS in just the last 10 years let alone since 1977 when he arrived. I mean for f?!&s sake. Another point is so many of the planets youth think they can’t learn a ton from an older guy like him or even yourself at 71.
28:15 I think you talked about USAID which Thai people called it "you said".
Yes, that's the one, cheers
38:45 You are right that Tom stands for a tom boy. But Dee doesn't come from ดี meaning "good". Dee is shortened from "lady" instead.
🙏🙏
Great interview. Interviewer talked too much, don't need all the rights and yes's while the interviewee is talking. Hard to hold back sometime though!
Right...... yes 😂🙏✌