glorialf

As many of you know I am going to Bangkok and Chiang Mai in December with someone who has never been there. I'm trying to decide which guidebook I should tell her to bring with her. Here's the criteria:
1. Has information on history and the sights. Don't care about hotels,restaurants or shopping.
2. Doesn't weigh 10 pounds!
3. Doesn't spend half the book on the south.

What would be your pick? I haven't used a guide book for bangkok in years so would love some input.

Thanks

Lyndie

Check out Footprint Guide Books for history and sights. We used one in Myanmar-far superior to others we borrowed from our local library. Not sure of the weight but they are very good guides. Good luck.

rhkkmk

i would glue gloria on a piece of paper and give it in a card to her friend...

frommers has always been a good general travel guide...any thailand book is going to have tons on phuket, samui, etc....you could always rip the book in 1/2 before you leave...i did that on my last trip and then glued it back together on my return and sent it back to the library (just kidding)...

if you want really detailed guides, then the blue book series is over the top...not sure if they do a thailand however...

glorialf

Actually I have the blue guide for Thailand but I think it's far too detailed for my friend.

I've also ripped books (something I hate to do) but may do again.

Has anyone used the Time Out guide for Bangkok? Or is that better for restaurants?

Lyndie-- I have the footprint guide to Thailand. It seems to give short shrift to Bangkok which is why I was looking for something else. It's excellent for the rural north and northeast -- I used it when we spent 2 weeks in the northwest (along the burma border).

emtravel

Gloria,
I did a lot's of books research for my Thailand/HKG trip. I took some with me and left some at home. Here is my opinion on it.

1. DK guide - Thailand - my favorite guides but heavy. Suggestion - buy separate DK guide for BKK and CNX (I know BKK DK guide exists, not sure about CM. )

2. Time out guide - I bought and it is useful HOWEVER after I bought it, I compared with Timout online - http://www.timeout.com/bangkok/accom/
the information was almost the same. So save yourself some money and print from online. Not too heavy.

3. Pleasures and Treasures of Thailand - very useful for shopping, dining. Not too much re: sightseeing and culture. But if you've been in Thailand many times, you probably do not need it now. Medium Heavy.
No pictures.

4. Nancy Chandler's Map - CM and BKK. Most people like it on forum. I was not really excited about it. Very busy , confusing and hard to read. Again, it was our first trip and we did not use it too much since we had private guides with us in order to utilize short time. If you already been in Thailand maybe you look from your own perspective and it will be helpful. If you can use it, it does not take space so it is good map/guide.

5. Frommers and Fodors guide - these are the first read I always start my research. Great maps for restaurants and hotels. I like Frommers more since they have many walking tours. Sorry Fodor! Of course you need to take only one so decide yourself. They are comparable. Also both guides not heavy.

6. Luxe Guides.
They were recommend on this forum. I bought them . Small. Easy to carry. However.. I am approaching middle age and my eyes started to let me down. Very annoying. These guides are small print on horrible colors - I bought HK and BKK I think BKK was bright red color and the type was black on grey. Very hard to read. Plus their attitude turned me off. Make your own decision. Maybe I am getting old! They seemed quite arrogant to me kind of the feeling who do not follow their trend just not very hip!

6. I always use EasyMaps for navigating/sightseeing, again this is map/guide and for BKK it had good map with sightse explanation. Kind of you can use for self-walking tours.

7. Finally this is not the guide but a book which I have now quite a collection. Called Culture Shock - Thailand. Would be great intro for your friend to read.

Hope it helps. Sophia

Kathie

My favorite guides for Asia are the Insight Guides. They always have lots on culture and history as well as gorgeous photos.

laurie_ann

Try Fodor's "Bangkok's Best" which is very small but include lots of background and practial details, quite a few color pictures and the top 25 things to see and do, as well as lots of information about dining, shopping and going out, and even a full size fold out detailed city map. For Chiang Mai try "Exploring Chiang Mai, City, Valley and Mountains." It's a pretty small book, but it is written by a team of locals, has great practical details and photos, includes both the city and surrounding areas and has great maps, including for walking tours and the night market. I found both on Amazon. Enjoy planning your trip!

Kay2

Laurie Ann,
Is the book you recommend:
Exploring Chiang Mai: Northern Thailand's Historical and Cultural Center (Odyssey Illustrated Guide) by Oliver Hargreave (Paperback - March 2003)
that I found on Amazon?
I couldn't find the one with subtitle you provided.

laurie_ann

That's the publisher and the author. I have the edition dated 2003. Maybe there is even a newer one now.