Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 4d

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 · 7d

A little something that might make you want to hit the islands...
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

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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 8d

Here comes the reversal to the reversal...
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

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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 9d

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 · 11d

Sure is nice to be back where I belong after 6 months in the United States of Insanity.

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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 14d

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

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

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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 14d

Sure if you're time limited and can afford the flight which I think is a little pricey since Bangkok Airways is the only option (last I checked anyway). Kood is one of Thailand's most beautiful islands, enjoy!

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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 14d

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 · 18d

Kuay chab yuan, the queen of breakfasts.

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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · 18d

Interesting piece on China's shadowy role in the Thai - Cambodian border conflict:
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/29/w...

Peace Broker, Arms Supplier: China’s Dual Roles in a Deadly Conflict

www.nytimes.com

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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · Sep 17

If you could use a laugh
thaiislandquest.substack.com/p/strange-an...

Strange and funny signs from Thailand

Welcome to another frontier of English language usage.

thaiislandquest.substack.com

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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · Aug 31

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-...

Pheu Thai Makes an Offer to the People's Party

An attempt to let bygones be bygones

www.coffeeparliament.com

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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · Aug 26

Cheers!

David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · Jul 23

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 · Jul 18

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 · Jul 17

"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...

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

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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · Jul 4

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...

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

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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · Jul 2

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 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

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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · Jul 2

Rainy sunset casting everything with an orange glow here in Amherst, MA, just now.

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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · Jun 27

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...

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

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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · Jun 27

Glad I quit smoking weed last year b/c if I hadn't I'd be stressing.😅 Definitely feel for growers, shop owners and workers, and yes stoners too. But the new rules come via ministerial decree, so they could change fast w/ a new govt. This isn't end of story.
www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/gen...

Cannabis dreams go up in smoke

In the fertile plains of Nakhon Ratchasima, Somkiat Nitiketkosol tends to his cannabis farm, Suan Fah Yim, with a heavy heart. For years, small- and medium-sized cannabis growers like him have weather...

www.bangkokpost.com

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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · Jun 19

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...

Prime Minister's Call with Hun Sen Leaked; Bhumjaithai Leaves Coalition

Pheu Thai government on verge of collapse

www.coffeeparliament.com

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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · Jun 12

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 · Jun 11

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...

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’s goal to position the country as an aviation hub for Sout...

www.bangkokpost.com

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David Luekens @dluek.bsky.social · Jun 5

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...

Thai drivers rarely honk. Here’s why

Many foreigners living in Thailand are surprised by how quiet local roads are - especially considering the country’s famously heavy traffic . Despite the frequent congestion, loud horn honking i...

www.bangkokpost.com

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