Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 915.930444
EAN num: 9781740596978
ISBN number: 1740596978
Label: Lonely Planet Publications
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 808
Printing Date: September 30, 2005
Publishing house: Lonely Planet Publications
Sale Popularity Level: 155455
Studio: Lonely Planet Publications
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Brief Book Summary:
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
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers 
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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
Rated by buyers 
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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.
Rated by buyers -
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.
Rated by buyers -
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!
Rated by buyers 
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They say the way to judge a travel guide is to use one in a city you are very familiar with. I have been to Bangkok countless times in the past 2 years and am thoroughly familiar with the city and have a strong understanding of the language. My friend visited Bangkok and I left my travel guide (Let's Go) behind in my village to lessen my load. I figured I did not need much, just a few maps and the background of the areas we would be visiting.
This book could not have been more useless. In the Army I taught map reading and land navigation and was able to get even the most directionless soldiers to pass the tests in this area. I could not make head or tails from the maps provided, in a city were I generally know the layout. The maps were either too large to provide any useful detail or too small to provide for any frame of reference. It was either getting a broad shot of the galaxy or a microscopic view of a gnat.
After the very first day we left the guidebook behind and went on my knowledge of the city and my Thai language skills. For those of you who do not have either I would suggest the Let's Go Thailand book. The maps are useful and the information is laid out in a way that is easily understandable.
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