RIP Richard Diran 3rd November 1949-17th July 2024 A life well lived

I could listen to this guy's stories for HOURS. What a legend!

Ahh Pete you are giving away all of Bangkoks secrets with these interviews..! These are the kind of characters that makes Bangkok so interesting. Occasionally we run into someone like this and learn so much from their life stories. You seriously need to consider longer interviews or serial interviews with those who has so much to tell like Richard does. Their stories surely need to be documented for the afterworld. Amazing stuff.

ขอบคุณคุณ Richard ทีตั้งใจเล่าอย่างตั้งใจเกี่ยวกับชีวิตของท่าน ขอบคุณยิ่งที่ท่านรักแผ่นดินสุวรรณภูมินี้ ครับ

Hi Pete, what a fascinating character Richard is. He had lived an extraordinary life all starts with his adventures with his friend when he was just sixteen. What he has done for (Burma) Myanma and to have his work displayed in an international museum within the country. Then growing up with his Dad and meeting the legends of the time. I wish and hope you will have Richard back on the show I could listen to for hours. I began travelling at age nineteen. Travelled Europe and then I travelled Central America and North America for a couple of years. India was a great destination I spent a couple of years travelling all over India & Sri Lanka. It has been the most valuable educational experience I have ever had. It changed me from being a typical Western man into an international man. I dropped so much baggage of old ideas and became a more spiritual person and created a life of service to others. Take care GOD Bless you and yours. M

"Richard, you're a legend" Mr Thairish, you are not wrong with this statement. Absolutely wonderful video on a real character who is just simply amazing. Cheers from Chiang Mai....may the beer be with you.....

Your best interview yet Pete. However, I guess I am biased as I too was fortunate to meet & interview Aung San Suu Kyi in 1996. I also am of a similar vintage (albeit younger) and was able to experience travel in Burma when it was difficult as Richard said to get more than a 7 day visa. I was lucky to be there 2 months. Hardly, as colourful as Richard's life .. I do relate to some aspects he spoke to, for example, the hill tribes not least in Vietnam. As I say though my experiences pale in significance to Richard's; but what little I could relate to made this interview very enjoyable to me. I could also relate to the head hunters.. when I was in Sawarak Borneo. Your channel is really developing my young friend... kudos to you.

In the early 80's in BKK I met many farangs that where taking jem courses in BKK. There was a famous school in BKK for studying jems.

Such an interesting interview Pete. Love how you are connecting with so many unique people here in Thailand. A gem of a guy.

Wow what character, great video. I really hope he makes his movie. This is why I love living in Thailand it fuels my hunger for adventure and meeting new motivated successful people, who have chosen to step out of their comfort zone and make it work living abroad.

R.I.P Richard Diran 🙏🏻 🕊️

Wow what an amazing life 😍 My uncle is living in Burma and even today it seems like an impossible destination. Can only imagine how difficult it would have been back then

I saw The Rolling Stones at the Cow Palace in 1974. Love San Francisco. I saw the Beatles in Vancouver Canada in Aug 22 1964!!!

This by far is my top favorite interview of yours. There is so much information in this short amount of time being shared. Please if possible have a 2nd or 3rd interview with this gentleman. Richard has so much experience and treasures of memories to share. Please tell him his shirt he is wearing for this interview is awesome!!! Thank you, thank you for bringing this interview to us🙏🏼🙌🏼👏 I miss living in Thailand

What an amazing life Richard has had! Just amazing everything he has done! Great video Pete. I Know the cow palace very well. Been there many times. Love Richard! Love his love density with his wife! He has had an amazing life. Left me wanting more. Always look forward to your videos mate!

I just realised I've seen this guy's book.. I think I may even have it somewhere. Gonna have to dig through my boxed up stuff and see if I can find it. Very cool interview, Pete. We need some more time with this dude if possible. More stories, please

What an amazing life this man has had, a true adventurer's spirit. A life definitely well spent.

what an amazing man, this guy has lived fully.

This is the best interview you have done, truly amazing stories that don’t feel make believe like some and are documented . Excellent!

My goodness, awesome interview! Reminds me when I travelled through some distant villages in Myanmar back in 2001. We would walk 5-6 miles, and they would be speaking a different language. That was an amazing time.

Another interesting interview. It is always good to hear a fascinating story from a person who live in Thailand. I feel like, all of the sun they’re secretly shown up after living here for a long time.

Richard is a legend

An excellent find for your channel. A very interesting character with varied and interesting experiences to share. His photos of the tribe people are so remarkable . A reminder that we are all different. My garden isn't growing too well... need a few heads on the ground to help it!

Please get him back for a part 2 and part 3 he is very interesting. Sounds like a Jim Thomson type character..... Love to hear how he made money in Gems💎

Another great interview Pete, very interesting story. Loved it and want to see more of him please.

Well done Pete, what a fantastic character

RIP. A life well lived

WOW!! The Cow Palace, the greatest bands of the day played there. I wonder how much Acid he did?? He would have seen a lot of colors then. lol

Wow Pete you’ve really carved out your little niche in Thailands KZfaq community. I’ve really been enjoying your interviews and look forward to many more.

Sometimes, I just can't help getting jealous to those people who were born in the old Era as their life seem to be full.of adventurous things. 🥰

great interview as usual... maybe there will be a second part, seems like Richard can talk about his life for days...

Pete, you amaze me, the people you come across fascinates me. Well Done!!!

Great character with a great story . Amazing how he travelled so far and wide without the internet or google translate . That generation were true pioneers. Keep em coming Pete ur on a roll .

Your last two interviews were brilliant 👏

This is such a wonderful story from an incredible man! Please have more interviews with him

great interview and just by accident I have his book Vanishing Tribes, wonderful photographs. cheers

Richard is one of the coolest guys I’ve ever met. I was lucky to become friends with him 9 years ago when I first moved to Bangkok and he’s always been a warm, inspiring, optimistic and incredibly interesting person to speak with and know. I’m so glad you are helping to share Richard’s story with the world!

'Travel is the best teacher in the world" great quote!

In 1981 I was in a gem shop on Sukhumvit Rd and politely asked if they had anything better than what was on display in the store. The shopkeepers looked at each other and then one of them opened a safe and brought out the largest blue star sapphire I had ever seen in my life. I found it interesting that this couple didn't reveal everything they knew or everything they owned to just anybody.

Absolute legend. Ace

Another interesting fellow with unique experiences.

I'm just speechless. Every time I think you can't find a more interesting guest, you prove me wrong.

This man's story was waiting to be told. You were the one who answered the call Pete. Important work well done

I grew up 15 min from the cow palace. My high school was close to it as well. So that makes my a city boy too.... Great video. An vs I'll be retiring in Thailand with my Thai wife in a few years 👊

Incredible man, what a live he's led. You'll have to interview him further, I bet there's millions of stories to share there

Can I give this 1 million thumbs up!!!!​Wow! Legend! And it's official... I'm a boring human.

You found another great person to interview

I just got Richard's book yesterday! It is really beautiful! It was so interesting to read about all of the different tribes. And I recognize 3 of the tribes from the time I travelled though Myanmar in 2001. Keep up the great work Pete!

Amazing story with a wonderful character. Mid way I was like: Wow they should make a movie about this guy! Great job finding this guy Pete, hope there is more like him that will follow.

Hiya Keith what an amazing interview absolutely your best yet . This is the 1st time I have commented . I have been going to Thailand since 1987 so I am not blind as Thailand. You are doing some great stuff mate keep it up mate .

Another great video Pete noon 😄 enjoyed and shared 😊😊😊😊😊😊 no

I’ve been listening to your fantastic stories since 1999 and all of them are nothing less than enchanting. You had a very interesting journey my friend and looking forward to hearing more next time we are together. You are a legend in your own time!

What a guy! Loved this interview. Hoping it's one of those that turns into a series. Seems like he has vast amounts of stories in him.

Wow! You have really raised your game Pete. Top drawer.

..epic , man, real grand,so is your wide field vision as promised.cheers, Pete.

Incredible interview. Richard has lived an amazing life

Another brilliant interview - I particularly like the guests who have a long history in Thailand and can talk about life there from decades ago.

Awww I can't tell you how much I enjoy this episode, cuz for someone who grew up in gemology family business, It like travel back through time when my granpa set a foot on this land called Thailand. 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺

Whoa. This dude has been everywhere. More interviews from him please! 😊

God I Remember this guys blog years ago , blast from the past. The other guy that popped into my head was Mekhong Kurt who had another blog back in the day. Awesome stories from both these guys 😎

This interview with Richard and your last video interviewing Beverley are excellent Pete, intelligent people with depth. You are a polished pro my friend.

i came away from this taking on board what Richard said about meeting people from diverse backgrounds enriches ones life. It made me also realize that your channel is a short cut to that enrichment. Nothing beats self experience but in this case I would describe your channel as an "Enrichment cheat sheet" for people who just dont have time to go into the jungle themselves. Compliments all round on this one. Seeing how diverse Richards life has been makes me feel not so bad about the amount of times I have changed direction and started off on something new. Cheers mate.

Great talk show....amazing good life. Please get these great people into your talk show. Great talk show!!!

Wow what great experiences he had and live to tell! Amazing!

Very interesting Thank you from Clonmel Ireland

Wow! That was great!

Absolutely fantastic interview what a fascinating Guy

Amazing life. Please get these amazing people into your talk show, really enjoyed it.

Great interview.

Get him back on,could listen to him all day!

Great interview. Please have more of these kind of guests! :)

What amazing stories..I love watching your interviews!! Thank you from Mozambique.

You have such a talent to find amazing characters ! Well done and thank you for your work !

Pete you just keep finding fascinating interviews, well done.

Wow what an interesting life Richard has had. Respect 👍

Wow, what a fascinating life. This gentleman has had the journey. Pete, your doing an awesome job. Really enjoy all your interviews.

Now thats intro music with attitude...now we're Talking. Great Interview Sir

Amazing interview. Travel is the best teacher. 🙏🏼 👍

This definitely needs to be a series

Thumbs Up 👍

What a fantastic guy with a rich wonderful life.

Awesome video

If you wanna interview someone interesting with a good story, interview my cousin. He's not in Thailand, he's in Vietnam. But he made millions smuggling Rhino horns to sell in Vietnam. and did a tons of other businesses. Eventually went into real estate and built theme parks and safaris in Vietnam. I said he has 100million+ USD. Tons of connections with high profile people in Vietnam.

Fascinating guest.

Fascinating stuff. You keep on delivering Pete!

Jeesh! Pete. Where do you find them all? Bangkok truly is a melting pot of far flung characters just like Richard says. Fabulous.

Another very interesting person & backstory. Thx again

YOU GOT A HEAD WITH THIS STORY

I thought my life is interesting and now I know, with people out there like this...it's not. Wow, cool interview.

I hope to visit beautiful Thailand soon 👌

Fascinating!

Ho ho , good stories ..

What an incredible life -- You didn't have to ask me to share his story, I shared on Facebook and Twitter .. I want to have a beer with him. WOW..

À Very Interesting person Mr. Richard and a Good and Interesting Interview you make Pete ! Nice to meet such interesting People who you can find and make an interview . 🙏

Really interesting guy.

Very interesting man & interview. Good job.

This one is a great one

Wow, what a character. You are lucky to meet such an interesting person. I could listen to him for hours. I wish I can read more about him. P.S. Here is a compliment to you, I think you're doing great in your interviewing people. You really put them at ease.

He has lived some life!! And has some memory!!

Thanks for that. I've got his book first edition in hard back. Daw Aung SanSuu Kyi was in and out of detention, mostly in than out from 1988 to 2011. Now she is back in detention :(