I will be in CM for 4nts in June and briefly in BKK, and would like to get one guidebook to bring-what do you recommend? I've been to BKK before and may get back there in the next year or so, but have never been to CM and want to make the most of our 4 days. I also hope sometime to make it up to Chiang Rai on a future trip, so any guidebook you can recommend for Thailand would be appreciated! Thanks.

is your focus on the sights, the shopping or just what...??

We are interested in the sights, temples, culture and some shopping too.

i think any of the major books like: fodors, frommers, insight are all very adequate for general overviews..

moremiles -- I love the DK guides -- good history, cutaways of buildings, pictures -- I also bought a Nancy Chandler map for both BKK and CM and found the CM one most useful. You can see the inside of many guide books at amazon.com and make a choice.

More smoke & summer storm.
http://travelbackpacker.blogspot.com

I LOVE the free printable guides that are available at www.travelfish.org! On my last trip to SE Asia I didn't bring a guide book, just these preprinted guides. Great info!