Lonely Planet Thailand | 
 enlarge | Authors: Joe Cummings, Morgan Konn, China Williams, Becca Blond, Matt Warren
Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications
Category: Book
List Price: $26.99
Buy New: $25.05
You Save: $1.94 (7%)
New (6) Used (9) from $8.98
Rating:  60 reviews
Sales Rank: 322961
Media: Paperback
Edition: 11
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 808
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.4
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5 x 1.3
ISBN: 1740596978
Dewey Decimal Number: 915.930444
EAN: 9781740596978
ASIN: 1740596978
Publication Date: September 30, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand new book delivered from the UK in 10-14 days.
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Product Description
Thailand was once an enigmatic paradise of pristine beaches, hidden temples and remote mountain refuges. Here's the secret: it can still be that way. Let Lonely Planet guide you past the world of the tourist brochures and into the true heart of the this glorious land. AUTHORITATIVE OPINION - incisive, candid reviews let you travel your way INSIDER'S PERSPECTIVE - from traveling with children to visiting tsunami-affected regions, our expert authors provide the definitive word THE WORLD'S BEST TRAVEL MAPS - meticulously checked and fully cross-referenced ACCOMMODATION FOR ALL BUDGETS - from sumptuous palace hotels to breezy beach bungalows EXTENSIVE LANGUAGE CHAPTER - you'll be ordering Singhas and chatting with locals in no time
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| Customer Reviews: Read 55 more reviews...
 Strangely Annoyed September 22, 2008
I have lots of guidebooks - and lots of Lonely Planets, for that matter. But despite the fact that they say they are for "independent travellers", I keep finding ridiculous reviews on restaurants and hotels, to the point where I've stopped using them.
The History, Snapshot, and similar sections are great, but if you have a brain of your own - use it. Forget their restaurant and hotel recommendations, as I'm not even sure they visit the places. Sometimes they have history or comments on places that is worthwhile to read, though. All tourbooks may have these drawbacks, to be fair.
Finally, I think I'm going to stop buying Lonely Planet's, though. First, they always act like driving is so scary everywhere, when it's actually quite easy to anyone with a brain. They also forget to give worthwhile tips on getting a car, etc. I imagine that this is their way of "saving the Earth". To a person who does care about the Earth, but doesn't believe that being a dirty hippie is going to save anything, this - and all their other BS trying to coerce their opinions onto you as fact - gets really freakin' old. Yes, yes, I know, LP is founded by some hippie freak from AUS or something - whooptie doo. That doesn't mean I have to pay some jerk who's going to push his politics on me, whether I agree with them or not.
Generally good, but could be better March 29, 2007
I've used a lot of lonely planet guides in my travels, but I found this one a bit less useful than other LP country guides. It just seemed like the detail was missing, especially in regards to beaches and water activities. It almost seems like you need to buy this guide for 'most of Thailand' and then the seperate guide for beaches which is just asking too much. Could have more detail on major attractions like the Grand palace (how about a map?) and more detail on things like snorkelling / diving / surf spots on maps like they do for the Hawaii guide
 Great Guide Book January 23, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I have read this booking and really love it, I am Thai citizen, but some part which Joe has written in the book is reflect the real thing, something which I never look down and realize (I think insider might see different from outsider). That's really true.
Excellent book - best Lonely Planet guide I ever had December 22, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I travel a lot and, as a consequence, i do purchase a lot of the guides by Lonely planet. That Thailand guide is an excellent guide that gives you info you are looking for, historical highlights, maps and short stories, and, is not 'dry' as other guides.
If you never had it and you are going to Thailand - get it - it is a must.
Outstanding for the first time visitor November 27, 2006
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
I just returned from a month in Thailand and found the Lonely Planet Guide to be very impressive. Several things to remember is that:
a) if the publishing date is 2005 the content is probably several months to a year older.
b) if you have local friends and/or family the guide will still be useful but not nearly so compared to a traveler who is on their own. You might keep thinking why the guide doesn't cover something that your in country friend gives you great info or insight into. Relax, the LP guide, despite its heft can only provide so much info.
Comments on LPs logistics and highlights...
1) Logistics.
Negative. There wasn't a lot of coverage given on the new low fare airlines that are now available but this might be because these airlines did not exist in force when the research was done.
Positive. I traveled on local bus, long distance bus, train, taxi, moto-taxi, sky train, subway, regional airplane and even tuk-tuk. The guild had very precise information on how to get around locally and through out the country. This was probably the most helpful part of the book with information I was not able to find easily elsewhere. (Always keep in mind that prices and times will change though.)
Highlights.
Negatives. I could tell that the writers have a particular perspective on what is a highlight and what is not. They love the Wats or temples. I admit that many are incredible and worth the journey. But there are many, many, many of them. After seeing a few Wats, Wat fatigue set. The point is to keep your own interests in mind and not let the guide pick too much of what you decide to do.
Positives. I enjoyed many of the suggestions in the book including the cooking school in Kanchanaburi, walking the alleys of Chinatown in Bangkok, a particularly spectacular guest house in Koa Tao, etc.. My highlights were definitely not the guide's highlights but were found in the guide.
Thailand has a lot to see and the LP guide does an admirable job within the limits of the print format. Now get out there!
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