81. Cocktails in Bangkok with Joe Cummings: The Decline of Lonely Planet, A Love Affair with Thailand, Street Food, and Guiding Mick Jagger

Cocktails in Bangkok with Joe Cummings: The Decline of Lonely Planet, A Love Affair with Thailand, Street Food, and Guiding Mick Jagger.

Award-winning travel writer Joe Cummings is one of the most influential figures in guidebook writing and cultural reporting. Known for his pioneering work with Lonely Planet - particularly on their very first Thailand guide - Joe’s adventurous spirit and meticulous research have shaped the way countless travelers discover new places. Over the course of his career, he’s written or contributed to more than 50 travel guides, while also delving into Thai cuisine, music, and culture in a way that highlights the richness of Southeast Asia and beyond.

Joe has contributed to CNN Travel, BBC Travel, Conde Nast Traveler, Travel & Leisure, Asian Wall Street Journal, The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Times, San Francisco Examiner, LA Times, Lonely Planet, Berlitz Guides, Moon Handbooks, and many other publications. He wrote on Southeast Asian political affairs for The Asia Record. Joe has twice been honored with the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Gold Award, and is also a recipient of Mexico's Pluma de Plata (Silver Quill) for outstanding foreign journalism on Mexico.

In this episode, we’ll dive into Joe’s journey from an eager traveler to a respected global authority. You’ll hear the stories behind his legendary treks off the beaten path, the inspiration that fueled his passion for telling authentic cultural narratives, and the challenges he faced in pioneering modern travel writing. Joe also served as Mick Jagger's personal guide when the Rolling Stones frontman visited Bangkok.

Notable Links:

Joe Cummings Website
Joe Cummings Instagram
Joe Cummings Amazon Author Page
Thailand: A Travel Survival Kit (Lonely Planet Thailand)

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