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David Luekens

@dluek.bsky.social
372 followers 196 following 173 posts

Thailand-focused travel writer (Travelfish, CNN) now featuring 1,200+ islands and 350+ coastal areas at thaiislandquest.substack.com.

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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
A heartbreaking, Pullitzer-deserving story about a "model citizen" young Haitian who threw himself in front of a moving truck after his legal status was revoked and he was forced to wear a huge ankle monitor at all times. Beyond shameful. www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
theatlantic.com
A Reckoning in Springfield
A truck driver out on his route confronts what the country has become.
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Really cool review of my wife's cooking class, by one of the best Thai food writers around bangkokglutton.com/2026/05/29/c...
bangkokglutton.com
Cooking with Chin
Massaman curry with pork People say that the best thing about travel is how it teaches you about yourself. After one month on the road in southern Italy, I can confidently say that I have truly lea…
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Best article I've read in a while. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/14/t...
nytimes.com
Life, Death and Rebirth in the Land of the Buddha
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Least helpful receptionists on Ko Racha Yai.
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
Welp Thailand, guess it's time for the Anutin years. Not great for reforming public education, among other things, but should bring lasting political stability. Seems the border war w/ Cambodia was top of mind for many voters. www.thaipbs.or.th/election69/r...
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Thing about extremism is it always doubles down, in this case to the point that it's bleeding support and likely getting crushed in the midterms. The courage and resolve that exists in opposition to this bumbling incompetent extremism is like an immovable wall. www.npr.org/2026/02/05/n...
npr.org
Poll: Two-thirds of Americans say ICE has 'gone too far' in immigration enforcement
A new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll finds a jump in disapproval of the agency among Democrats and independents, but Republicans are standing by ICE and the president.
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
The current US administration is a bunch of incompetent ass-clowns who are bleeding public support w/ their extremism. If they try to mess w/ midterm elections, they will fail. A huge wall of dissidence is growing to oppose them. So many Americans are done being scared of these ass-clowns.
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
Caught up w/ an old friend in Trang who's been working at a travel shop for 20+ years. She lamented how so many travelers are now buying tickets and transfers online for double or triple what she charges. Does my head in too.
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
Bangkok nails the 3 spot in this year's "52 Places" from The NY Times. Also on the list from SE Asia are Penang, Vietnam, and Camiguin in the Philippines. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
nytimes.com
2026 Travel Destinations: 52 Places to Go This Year
Our list for the new year features an eclipse, a revolution and a tiger reserve. What’s on yours?
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
So weird how as a matter of reputation writers now consciously write in ways that don't sound AI-generated. It's changing the craft and prompting a prioritisation of something I never thought I'd need to affirm: a human voice.
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
please make it stop
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 01/01/2026
First sundown of 26 in the bag
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
My wish for 2026 is lasting peace on the Thai-Cambodian border and a reopening of all border crossings and trade. Time to end the fighting and get the economy sailing again. www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
Thailand releases 18 Cambodian soldiers held since July
The release is part of a new ceasefire deal after weeks of deadly clashes along the Thai-Cambodia border.
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 27/12/2025
Fascinating look at the economics of sugarcane farming in Thailand: prachataienglish.com/node/11724
prachataienglish.com
Sugarcane farmers and PM 2.5 pollution: Is it really their fault?
Sugarcane farmers, often targeted as a major source of PM2.5 pollution, have significantly reduced field burning practices to comply with government regulatory measures. Despite the consequences they ...
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
Tallied up all the Thai islands I've been to since my first (Samui) in 2007, and it's up to 96. Knew it was over 80 but didn't realise I'm so close to 100. Obv. there are sailors who've been to more, but not too shabby for not having my own boat. Should hit 100 next month!
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
A scoop of the mood in the far south of Ko Chang right now. As seen at Bang Bao Delight, a long-running favorite cafe on the pier.
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 21/12/2025
Never ceases to amaze how many tourists motorbike around Ko Chang's steep challenging roads w/ no helmet. Been here a bunch of times and, without fail, I always see at least one skidded out bleeding on the roadside, if not worse.
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
At Khlong Prao beach I was about to hang my bag on this branch to go for a swim and then whoa sorry to disturb you lil fella
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
Thailand is more expensive than a few years ago but you can still rent a banged up car for 450 baht ($14 USD) on Ko Chang.
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
Some thoughts for anyone thinking of visting the Ko Chang Archipelago while Thailand and Cambodia battle over a border located less than 50 km away. thaiislandquest.substack.com/p/should-you...
thaiislandquest.substack.com
Should you go to Ko Chang, Ko Mak or Ko Kood right now?
A question on many travelers' minds due to the Thai-Cambodian conflict.
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
Heading to Ko Chang and Chanthaburi for Christmas. Just bought bus tix at Ekkamai station with its perpetual and always delightful soundtrack of "You! Pattaya! Go now go now!"
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
From a tourist on Reddit calling Thailand a "war-torn country" with "mass refugee flows" to a so-called analyst on Xwitter asserting that Thailand is following Russia's playbook to seize territory, the amount of total nonsense about the Thai-Cambodian conflict now pouring online is surreal.
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 06/12/2025
Stowaways detected
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
Nakhon Phanom, home to Thailand's best riverfront imo, has added a ferris wheel. www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/gen...
bangkokpost.com
Mekong River Eye a new landmark in Isan
50-metre high riverside ferris wheel scheduled to open on Dec 15 in Nakhon Phanom
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
Forget Miss Universe and Michelin Guide. The awards I care about are Outstanding Public Toilets of Thailand. Great to see the Rama 2 Rd PTT gas station just made it at #13. Congratulations to all winners. www.nationthailand.com/news/general...
nationthailand.com
Thailand names 13 outstanding public toilets; 90% meet standard
Top 13 outstanding public toilets of 2025 announced. Two categories fell short of standards. Thailand needs 0.2 % better access to reach 2030 clean toilet goal.
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 30/11/2025
Wrote an article mentioning 130 of Thailand's alternative destinations. Be warned, though, that once you fall down the alternative travel rabbit hole, it has no end. thaiislandquest.substack.com/p/to-make-th...
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
Done my best to summarise a tragic situation: thaiislandquest.substack.com/p/special-re...
thaiislandquest.substack.com
Special report: Floods devastate Hat Yai and other parts of Southern Thailand
The flood situation in Southern Thailand's largest city and several other districts has become desperate after a week of nearly nonstop rain.
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 23/11/2025
Woke up at 04:45 to neighboring building ablaze here in Pinklao. Flames 7-10 metres from the wood house we're renting. Sprayed garden hose at it while wife called fire brigade, who arrived lightning fast and were amazing. No one hurt, our house undamaged. (Pics taken after fire crew took over.)
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 23/11/2025
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.
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
"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
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.
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
Mother Chao Phraya is bulging in Bangkok. Further upstream the flood situation is quite serious in parts of Singburi and Ayutthaya provinces, among others.
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 02/11/2025
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...
nytimes.com
These Cats Do It for Glory, Not Salmon. (No, It’s the Salmon.)
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
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.
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 25/10/2025
The most British gas station in Thailand is in Lang Suan.
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
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
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
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.
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 11/10/2025
A little something that might make you want to hit the islands... thaiislandquest.substack.com/p/mellow-bac...
thaiislandquest.substack.com
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?
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
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.
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 04/10/2025
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.
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
Kuay chab yuan, the queen of breakfasts.
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
If you could use a laugh thaiislandquest.substack.com/p/strange-an...
thaiislandquest.substack.com
Strange and funny signs from Thailand
Welcome to another frontier of English language usage.
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
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.
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
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.
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
"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...
bangkokpost.com
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.
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
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...
nationthailand.com
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...
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
Rainy sunset casting everything with an orange glow here in Amherst, MA, just now.
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
Political uncertainty and a serious border dispute should do wonders for Thailand's struggling tourism industry and economy in general. 😔 www.coffeeparliament.com/p/prime-mini...
coffeeparliament.com
Prime Minister's Call with Hun Sen Leaked; Bhumjaithai Leaves Coalition
Pheu Thai government on verge of collapse
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
Good to see some real protests happening. These dots are all protest sites on June 14th, the current president's birthday and the day of his North Korean style military parade, aka No Kings Day. Viva la resistance. www.nokings.org
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
Good news. I've only flown direct once, in 2007, from New York to Bangkok with THAI. 16 hours in the air as I recall. www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/gen...
bangkokpost.com
Direct Thailand-US flights back on radar
Thailand will accelerate its efforts to establish direct flight routes between Thailand and the United States as part of the government&rsquo;s goal to position the country as an aviation hub for Sout...
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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
Big exception not mentioned here is that honking is fine, expected even, when passing roadside shrines to show respect for spirits of the land. www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/gen...
bangkokpost.com
Thai drivers rarely honk. Here’s why
Many foreigners living in Thailand are surprised by how quiet local roads are - especially considering the country&rsquo;s famously heavy traffic . Despite the frequent congestion, loud horn honking i...
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