I have the lonely planet thailand book, but what would you recommend for bangkok? It is our first time there so we want info on the sites to see, shopping and other practical tourist info, but we also like to have lots of suggestions for restaurants (from budget to 5*). Will buy more than one book if necessary. Thanks.

I am very partial to the Insight guides, no matter where I am traveling. I think they give the most practicle information.

You should also get Nancy Chandler's map for Bangkok. It is a must have, even if you are not a big shopper. It tells you where EVERYTHING is.

To be honest I wouldn't use any of them for restaurants. They are way out of date and tend to have the same restaurants. I would use this forum and others for restaurants. There are also restaurant guides in english that you can buy (or check out) when you get to thailand.

Use guide books for sightseeing -- nothing else. Everyone has different taste in guide books. I would check them out at a book store and see which one suits you best. But only for sightseeing.

I also totally recommend the Nancy Chandler maps. They are the best and have places that are still rarely in guide books (like Prasart Museum) which is fabulous. It also is much more current on restaurants and her website has periodic updates which you can take with you.

nancychandler.net Happy Travels!

Hi
and again, I have to say the nancy chandler map is excellent, including odd things to do and see which is in no guide book.

I quite liked the Time Out guide to Bangkok - there's supposed to be a new one out around now. It's very city based, has interesting information, good pictures - do try to take a look if you find it in a bookstore. The maps aren't so good though - hence Nancy Chandler!

Bangkok Bob has posted an extensive list of excellent restaurants in BKK - search this forum and you will find it.

The sponsor of this site, FODOR'S, just came out with its 9th edition of FODOR'S Thailand which includes sections on Cambodia and Laos. I also like the Eyewitness Guide with its excellent maps and descriptions of tourist attractions. I agree with the above posters that restaurant recommendations in guidebooks tend to be (1) out of date and (2) geared toward "touristy" restaurants. However, you can find great restaurant recommendations here by doing a search or by starting yet another Bangkok restaurant thread.

i recently re did my bkk restaurant listing...if you want me to send it to you just drop me a line:

[email protected]

i like ron krannich's, the treasurers and pleasurers of thailand and myanmar....available on amazon...new and used...

i find it up to date as of the printing date and 100% accurate....it tends to be upscale but also has many of the tried and true restaurants at all levels....organized by type of food..

it is primarily a shopping guide and this portion is also excellent...there are hotels listed and some sightseeing...

i also like insight guides and the ordinary frommers is good too....

i find nancy chandlers helpful but hard to use....their web site is quite helpful and has updates...

this board is also very helpful...don't ask us about the oriental and peninsula hotels however!!!!

make sure you place bangkokbob in the correct "search engine" (fodors). if not you'll get a site which is verry popular with expats and males going to thailand . the site does have lots good travel info, but some of it is cattered to sex tourist.