He earned the nickname FL, Fearless Leader, from riding mates years ago in Nan province - early one morning after a heavy night drinking with the boys, and somewhat hung over (the same as the whole crew), he led the way riding across a decidedly dicey swinging suspension bridge, when the rest of the crew baulked & stalled at the sight of it. His general knowledge of the region's attractions and touring conditions is second to none, and this knowledge has enabled him to write three books for motorcycling in North Thailand; Motorcycle Touring in North Thailand (1988). The Mae Hong Son Loop, A Touring Guide (1991). A Motorcycle Guide To The Golden Triangle (June 1998).

David also researched and surveyed to draw the first accurate

guide map of North Thailand - the Berndtson and Berndtson (B&B) North Thailand map, first published in January 1997. This is the top selling guide map for North Thailand. In 2000, he drew and self-published "The Mae Hong Son Loop", guide map for touring North-West Thailand. In November 2001 he did the same with the first accurate guide map to Laos "The Laos 2002 Guide Map."

He instigated and led bike tours to Kuala Lumpur & the Malaysian World Motorcycle GP Championship from the Golden Triangle in April 1994 & 1995. In February 1995 David led the first motorcycle tour into Laos. In November 1995 he led the first ride into S-W China via Laos from Chiang Mai, North Thailand. During May / June 98 he lead the first AMA (Asian Motorcycle Adventures) 3 week tour from the Golden Triangle to Malaysia.

In May 2004 BMW Thailand sponsored him with a F650GS bike.
In October 2004 the National Tourism Authority of Laos (NTAL) contracted him to draw a series of 4-guide maps for the provinces of Luang Nam Tha, Luang Prabang, Khammouane and Champasak. The maps were the first official tourist guide maps for these provinces, and are distributed from the respective local tourist offices. David is excited about the future of regional motorcycle touring in S E  Asia, now that the borders between Thailand - Laos - China - Vietnam are opening up. His first recommendation to any motorcyclist with the spirit of adventure is fly direct to Chiang Mai, hire a bike for a week or two and ride around North Thailand to get a taste of what Asian motorcycle touring is about. You'll be hooked for sure and back to ride each year. Then, when you feel you know the place well enough, you'll probably want to ship your own bike to Asia for a ride. Once you've got all the right info, none of it is difficult; so give it a go soon - you won't be disappointed. For a history of motorcycling in North Thailand and the Golden Triangle, David Unkovich has featured in the following;

THAILAND TOURING

• Two Wheels. Australia. May 1989.
• Bike. UK. October 1989.
• Manager. Thailand. September 1991.
• Motorrad. Germany. November 1991.
• Far Eastern Economic Review. 19 August 1993.
• Motoplayer. Hong Kong. May 1994.
• Bangkok Post. Thailand. 3 June 1994.
• Look East. Thailand. July 1994.
• Thailand Handbook 1992.
• Bike. UK. February 1997
• Lonely Planet. Thailand 1995.
• The Ultimate Adventure Guide Book. USA.
• The Adventure Motorbiking Handbook. UK. 1997.

FIRST LAOS MOTORCYCLE TOUR

• Asian Wall Street Journal. 3 March 1995.
• Motoplayer. Hong Kong. April 1995.
• Motorrad. Germany # 24 1995.
• Motorcycle International. UK. Nov 1995.
• Holiday. Singapore. January 1996.
• Kurier. Austria. 12 April 1996.
• Reise Motorrad. Germany. May / June 1996.
• Reise Motorrad. Germany. September / October 1996.
• Two Wheels, Australia. March 1997.

FIRST THAILAND - LAOS - CHINA TOUR Horizons. Bangkok Post Thailand. 4 January 1996.  Welcome To Chiang Mai. Thailand. February 1996.  Bangkok Metro. Thailand. November 1996. Japan Off-Road Bike. Vol 11 No. 12 1997.

OTHER CREDITS

• Irish Blazing Saddles (170 cyclists) Charity Bicycle Tour North Thailand. April 1999. Traffic Marshall / Escort.
• Thailand. Thailand On Two Wheels. Adventure Crazy TV Show. Episode 1. Travel Channel. USA. April 1999 / Discovery TV. June 2000.
• Thailand. NCH (UK) Thailand Cycling Challenge 2000. The Big Bike Ride Charity Cycle Tour February 2000. Traffic Marshall / Escort.
• Laos. NCH (UK) Laos Big Bike Ride (Charity Cycle Tour) February 2001. Traffic Marshall / Escort with Lao police for 35 cyclists, the first cycle group from Luang Prabang to Vientiane.
• Laos. NDCH (UK) Cycle Laos Charity Ride. November 2001. Traffic Marshall / Escort for 46 cyclists from Luang Prabang to Vientiane.
• Laos. December 2001. Destinations Adventure TV Show UK: The Search For The Lost City
• Guidelines magazine. Chiang Mai. August 2002. Laos map review.
• Look East magazine. Bangkok. October 2002 issue. Mapping North Thailand story.
• Guidelines magazine. Chiang Mai. January 2003. Mae Hong Son loop map review.
• Laos  NDCH (UK) Cycle Laos Charity Ride. February 2003. Traffic marshal / Escort for 34 cyclists from Luang Prabang to Vientiane.
• Chiangmai Mail 22 November 2003. Laos map review.
• Bangkok Post Horizons Section 12 February 2004. Discover Thailand motorcycling story.
• Chiangmai Mail 1st May 2004. Mae Hong Son Loop map review.
• Chiangmai Mail 31st July 2004. Local Personality interview.
• Good Morning Chiangmai magazine. June 2004. BMW motorcycle sponsorship report.
• Guidelines magazine. Chiang Mai. December 2004. Motorcycling / map making story.
• Good Morning Chiangmai magazine. Chiang Mai. December 2004. Lao map making / eco-tourism story. 
• Bangkok Post Outlook Section P 08. 25 April 2005. Mapping & expatriate life in Thailand.
• Where Magazine Bangkok. December 2005. Exploring the Golden Triangle.
• Motorcycle Escape USA Summer 2006 Issue. Lovin it in Laos.
• Bangkok Post Horizons Travel Section. 25 May 2006. The Golden Triangle & Beyond. Mekong boat & bike trip Chiang Mai - Luang Prabang - Vientiane.

• Chiang Mai Toy Ride 2008. Committee Member organizing the inaugural event.

SURVIVAL
David Unkovich enjoys life in Chiang Mai & around North Thailand / Laos. He is self-employed as a cartographer & guide book author & dispenses motorcycle tour advice to other riders in the region. If you're around in the region & would like to meet David for some tips and advice the best place to catch him is at The Kafe, 127/ 9 Moon Muang Road.

For serious riders who want to ensure they get the right info make an appointment &  contact David by email a few days in advance to set it up. For this appointment there is a small consultation fee of 800 Thai baht for this, but it is worthwhile to get all the right hot info. Or, if you want to just take your chance, roll up at The Kafe 8.30 - 9.30 pm, & the food & drink is on you.  RTW bikers just roll up on your bike and split the beer bill.

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