David Luekens
@dluek.bsky.social
Thailand-focused travel writer (Travelfish, CNN) now featuring 1,200+ islands and 350+ coastal areas at thaiislandquest.substack.com.
Foreign tourism in Thailand is trending towards predictable trips to established hotspots w/ all bookings online. Reinforced by chatbots, online echo chambers and govt requiring more info from travelers. More spontaneous travel is losing steam, as are small travel shops and others that rely on it.
November 23, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Foreign tourism in Thailand is trending towards predictable trips to established hotspots w/ all bookings online. Reinforced by chatbots, online echo chambers and govt requiring more info from travelers. More spontaneous travel is losing steam, as are small travel shops and others that rely on it.
"Cybercrime thrives because it serves political interests at home and because the global financial system enables it abroad." <- Excellent detailed explanation of the online scam industry.
thediplomat.com/2025/11/crac...
thediplomat.com/2025/11/crac...
Cracking Southeast Asia’s Scam Economy
Washington and London’s recent unprecedented actions showed what global coordination can achieve – and what remains to be done.
thediplomat.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:11 AM
"Cybercrime thrives because it serves political interests at home and because the global financial system enables it abroad." <- Excellent detailed explanation of the online scam industry.
thediplomat.com/2025/11/crac...
thediplomat.com/2025/11/crac...
Mother Chao Phraya is bulging in Bangkok. Further upstream the flood situation is quite serious in parts of Singburi and Ayutthaya provinces, among others.
November 14, 2025 at 6:22 AM
Mother Chao Phraya is bulging in Bangkok. Further upstream the flood situation is quite serious in parts of Singburi and Ayutthaya provinces, among others.
NY Times typically publishes no more than one news article about Thailand every month or two. Out of all the pressing issues they could possibly cover, we get...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/w...
These Cats Do It for Glory, Not Salmon. (No, It’s the Salmon.)
www.nytimes.com
November 2, 2025 at 4:41 AM
NY Times typically publishes no more than one news article about Thailand every month or two. Out of all the pressing issues they could possibly cover, we get...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/w...
I write elaborate replies on my phone to people seeking travel advice with ease, but writing a simple travel article on my laptop can feel like pulling teeth. Strange psychology at work there.
October 28, 2025 at 6:31 AM
I write elaborate replies on my phone to people seeking travel advice with ease, but writing a simple travel article on my laptop can feel like pulling teeth. Strange psychology at work there.
The most British gas station in Thailand is in Lang Suan.
October 25, 2025 at 10:31 AM
The most British gas station in Thailand is in Lang Suan.
This morning we're heading to some islands in Mu Ko Chumphon NP. Booked it yesterday when forecast said it'd be sunny all day w/ 3% chance of rain. Now says this drizzly blob might pass by late afternoon. Lmfao
October 22, 2025 at 1:06 AM
This morning we're heading to some islands in Mu Ko Chumphon NP. Booked it yesterday when forecast said it'd be sunny all day w/ 3% chance of rain. Now says this drizzly blob might pass by late afternoon. Lmfao
Southern Thai family breakfast, starting at 1:00 then clockwise: pad dok hom, gaeng massaman neua, kung wan, pla tuu bai makham, gaeng luang tai, palo, & at center is pla luk prae tort. A wheel of flavor from our friends at Baan Suda Curry Paste in Huai Yot, Trang province.
October 14, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Southern Thai family breakfast, starting at 1:00 then clockwise: pad dok hom, gaeng massaman neua, kung wan, pla tuu bai makham, gaeng luang tai, palo, & at center is pla luk prae tort. A wheel of flavor from our friends at Baan Suda Curry Paste in Huai Yot, Trang province.
A little something that might make you want to hit the islands...
thaiislandquest.substack.com/p/mellow-bac...
thaiislandquest.substack.com/p/mellow-bac...
Mellow backpacker beaches: A dozen of my favorites in the Thai islands
Is there anything better than kicking back in a simple bungalow, swaying in the hammock as a sea breeze soothes your soul?
thaiislandquest.substack.com
October 11, 2025 at 12:12 PM
A little something that might make you want to hit the islands...
thaiislandquest.substack.com/p/mellow-bac...
thaiislandquest.substack.com/p/mellow-bac...
Here comes the reversal to the reversal...
www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/gen...
www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/gen...
Health ministry pledges to review weed laws
The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) has pledged to review restrictive cannabis regulations following mounting pressure from the group "Writing Thailand's Cannabis Future," which has urged swift gover...
www.bangkokpost.com
October 10, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Here comes the reversal to the reversal...
www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/gen...
www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/gen...
Been poking around sub-Reddit "ThailandTourism" and seems 90% of tourists go only to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi, Samui, Phangan and/or Tao. Think I've never grasped how few ever go beyond these. Even places like Lanta and Hua Hin come across as alternative or unusual there.
October 9, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Been poking around sub-Reddit "ThailandTourism" and seems 90% of tourists go only to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi, Samui, Phangan and/or Tao. Think I've never grasped how few ever go beyond these. Even places like Lanta and Hua Hin come across as alternative or unusual there.
Sure is nice to be back where I belong after 6 months in the United States of Insanity.
October 7, 2025 at 5:31 AM
Sure is nice to be back where I belong after 6 months in the United States of Insanity.
Maybe not the best timing for this considering Thailand's tourism industry is really struggling right now.
bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3115272/thai-minister-aims-to-finally-impose-b300-tourism-tax
bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3115272/thai-minister-aims-to-finally-impose-b300-tourism-tax
Thai minister aims to finally impose B300 tourism tax
Thailand’s new minister of tourism and sports has vowed to start collecting a 300-baht tourism tax during his four-month term and instructed the relevant parties to communicate the benefits of t...
bangkokpost.com
October 4, 2025 at 6:28 AM
Maybe not the best timing for this considering Thailand's tourism industry is really struggling right now.
bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3115272/thai-minister-aims-to-finally-impose-b300-tourism-tax
bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3115272/thai-minister-aims-to-finally-impose-b300-tourism-tax
10-15 years ago I barely questioned the stability of the US while fretting a lot about political violence in Thailand. Now that's completely reversed. Thailand, despite its problems, looks so stable now compared to the US.
October 4, 2025 at 3:58 AM
10-15 years ago I barely questioned the stability of the US while fretting a lot about political violence in Thailand. Now that's completely reversed. Thailand, despite its problems, looks so stable now compared to the US.
Kuay chab yuan, the queen of breakfasts.
September 30, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Kuay chab yuan, the queen of breakfasts.
Interesting piece on China's shadowy role in the Thai - Cambodian border conflict:
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/29/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/29/w...
Peace Broker, Arms Supplier: China’s Dual Roles in a Deadly Conflict
www.nytimes.com
September 30, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Interesting piece on China's shadowy role in the Thai - Cambodian border conflict:
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/29/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/29/w...
If you could use a laugh
thaiislandquest.substack.com/p/strange-an...
thaiislandquest.substack.com/p/strange-an...
Strange and funny signs from Thailand
Welcome to another frontier of English language usage.
thaiislandquest.substack.com
September 17, 2025 at 12:24 AM
If you could use a laugh
thaiislandquest.substack.com/p/strange-an...
thaiislandquest.substack.com/p/strange-an...
Frankly, Pheu Thai alienated themselves and now it's looking like payback time for the 1st and 3rd largest parties, both of which have felt betrayed by Pheu Thai for one reason or another. (Great insightful analysis from @kenlmathis.bsky.social as always).
www.coffeeparliament.com/p/pheu-thai-...
www.coffeeparliament.com/p/pheu-thai-...
Pheu Thai Makes an Offer to the People's Party
An attempt to let bygones be bygones
www.coffeeparliament.com
August 31, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Frankly, Pheu Thai alienated themselves and now it's looking like payback time for the 1st and 3rd largest parties, both of which have felt betrayed by Pheu Thai for one reason or another. (Great insightful analysis from @kenlmathis.bsky.social as always).
www.coffeeparliament.com/p/pheu-thai-...
www.coffeeparliament.com/p/pheu-thai-...
How American does "full English breakfast":
1 Use only bacon we know.
2 Extra ketchup in baked beans.
3 Make mushrooms look like soccer balls.
4 Try frying tomatoes, feel dumb when they fall apart and burn.
5 Black Pudding? Is it a Bubonic Plague symptom?
6 Sloppy as all hell.
7 Super Size It.
1 Use only bacon we know.
2 Extra ketchup in baked beans.
3 Make mushrooms look like soccer balls.
4 Try frying tomatoes, feel dumb when they fall apart and burn.
5 Black Pudding? Is it a Bubonic Plague symptom?
6 Sloppy as all hell.
7 Super Size It.
July 23, 2025 at 3:28 AM
How American does "full English breakfast":
1 Use only bacon we know.
2 Extra ketchup in baked beans.
3 Make mushrooms look like soccer balls.
4 Try frying tomatoes, feel dumb when they fall apart and burn.
5 Black Pudding? Is it a Bubonic Plague symptom?
6 Sloppy as all hell.
7 Super Size It.
1 Use only bacon we know.
2 Extra ketchup in baked beans.
3 Make mushrooms look like soccer balls.
4 Try frying tomatoes, feel dumb when they fall apart and burn.
5 Black Pudding? Is it a Bubonic Plague symptom?
6 Sloppy as all hell.
7 Super Size It.
This description of Doi Thu Le caught my eye while doing a little travel research for a northwestern Thailand trip later this year. Not perfectly written but does the trick.
July 18, 2025 at 3:17 AM
This description of Doi Thu Le caught my eye while doing a little travel research for a northwestern Thailand trip later this year. Not perfectly written but does the trick.
"In short, since 1992, taxi fares have gone up by 55%, while the cost of living has jumped 118%." <- This is why I've always tried to give them the benefit of the doubt. Tough way to make a living and getting harder.
www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opin...
www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opin...
Time for fair play in the taxi wars
The taxi wars in Thailand are boiling over -- and the government must not turn a blind eye.
www.bangkokpost.com
July 17, 2025 at 3:00 AM
"In short, since 1992, taxi fares have gone up by 55%, while the cost of living has jumped 118%." <- This is why I've always tried to give them the benefit of the doubt. Tough way to make a living and getting harder.
www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opin...
www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opin...
I see on Xwitter some of the maga-inclined expat punters who've been kicking and screaming for years about duel prices at Thailand's national parks are now saying it's fine for Pres. Chump to do it.😒
www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/tru...
www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/tru...
Trump signs executive order calling for foreign tourists to pay higher national park fees
In its 2026 fiscal year budget proposal released in May, the Interior Department estimated that such a surcharge would generate more than $90 million annually.
www.cbsnews.com
July 4, 2025 at 3:56 AM
I see on Xwitter some of the maga-inclined expat punters who've been kicking and screaming for years about duel prices at Thailand's national parks are now saying it's fine for Pres. Chump to do it.😒
www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/tru...
www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/tru...
Political turmoil, protests, border closure, terrorism plot, floods, pollution, economic woes... Things couldn't get any worse for Thailand, could they?
Marine expert: Hold my beer
www.nationthailand.com/sustaination...
Marine expert: Hold my beer
www.nationthailand.com/sustaination...
Marine expert warns of possible undersea volcanic eruption in Andaman Sea
Renowned marine ecologist Thon Thamrongnawasawat has warned the public to remain vigilant over the possibility of an undersea volcanic eruption in the Andaman Sea. However, he stressed that there is n...
www.nationthailand.com
July 2, 2025 at 5:34 AM
Political turmoil, protests, border closure, terrorism plot, floods, pollution, economic woes... Things couldn't get any worse for Thailand, could they?
Marine expert: Hold my beer
www.nationthailand.com/sustaination...
Marine expert: Hold my beer
www.nationthailand.com/sustaination...
Rainy sunset casting everything with an orange glow here in Amherst, MA, just now.
July 2, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Rainy sunset casting everything with an orange glow here in Amherst, MA, just now.
Now that the Move Forward crowd, the cannabis crowd, the yellow shirts, the Bhumjaithai party, the military, the courts and even "uncle" Hun Sen all appear lined up against Pheu Thai, it's hard to see this govt surviving much longer. But what comes next?
www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thai-pa...
www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thai-pa...
Thailand's Bhumjaithai Party plans no-confidence vote against embattled PM Paetongtarn
BANGKOK: Thailand's Bhumjaithai party, which left the ruling coalition last week, said on Tuesday (Jun 24) it would seek a parliamentary no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatr...
www.channelnewsasia.com
June 27, 2025 at 6:26 AM
Now that the Move Forward crowd, the cannabis crowd, the yellow shirts, the Bhumjaithai party, the military, the courts and even "uncle" Hun Sen all appear lined up against Pheu Thai, it's hard to see this govt surviving much longer. But what comes next?
www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thai-pa...
www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thai-pa...