Eyewitness Travel Guide to Thailand [Paperback]

DK Publishing (Author)

Book Description

Series: EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDE | Publication Date: October 1, 1997

Truly the guides that show you what others only tell you, this book features stunning 3D and cutaway views of museums, cathedrals, and other must-see sights; detailed street maps; a handy phrase section; advice on the best places to eat, drink, shop, sleep, and be entertained; and a Survival Guide to help the traveler sort out essential information such as currency, transportation, and communications. As world traveler and TV personality Michael Palin says, "the Eyewitness Travel Guides are irresistibly seductive.... They also deliver where it matters most -- uncluttered and accurate information."

Begin your exotic journey to Thailand with the only handbook you'll need -- DK's Eyewitness Travel Guide: Thailand. Highlighted by more than 1200 exclusive color photographs, this invaluable reference divides Thailand into five regional chapters and an additional eighty-page section covering Bangkok, all with illustrated maps of the country's terrain, main roadways, and attractions. Bangkok is broken into five areas that are easily navigated using accurate street-by-street maps, and graphic aerial views. The splendid Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo (Thailand's holiest temple) are explored in 3-D overviews, ground plans, photos of architectural highlights, a historical timeline, and a visitors' checklist. The spectacular ruined cities of old Sukhothai and Ayutthaya kingdoms are two of the prime sights of Thailand's Central Plains, and are outlined in previews complete with photos of their impressive engravings and reliefs, as well as historical timelines. The guide also includes a special layout showcasing Northern Thailand's famous arts and handicrafts -- carved wooden figures, ceremonial silver, colorful textiles, and lacquerwork -- while another spotlights the region's numerous rare and exotic bird species. Exquisite coral reefs, sandy beaches, magnificent seaside cliffs, breathtaking mountains and monsoon forests are some of the natural wonders captured in spectacular photos found in the book's overview of Southern Thailand. From Thailand's ancient history to modern customs to a glossary of Thai foods to transportation throughout this vast country, here is the only companion you'll need as you journey through this popular southeast Asian country.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This colorful and thoughtfully arranged guide provides easy access to Thai history and culture, religion and politics, music, sports, and festivals. From Chiang Mai to Bangkok, Phuket to Ko Samui, the many pleasures, diversions, sites, and activities are detailed in a conveniently usable format. Orchid parks and elephant training centers, wats and Buddhas, beaches, treks, museums, and rainforests--it's all there to peruse and choose. With lists of hotels and restaurants, information on shopping, whitewater rafting, golf, diving, Thai massage, and lots of maps and pictures, Dorling-Kindersley has put together a guide that's both practical and beautiful.

Review

...You feel, looking at them, as if you could close the book and step into the street. -- Contra Costa Times

...considered to be the world's best travel resource to over 30 destinations around the world, make it easier to plan a splendid vacation. -- North American Press Syndication

Both novice and experienced travelers will be captivated. -- US News & World Report

Each book is a visual as well as informational feast about a particular place. -- The New York Times

Encyclopedic in scope, it's meant to be used before, during, and after your stay. -- Travel & Leisure

The best travel guides ever. -- Sky Magazine -Delta In flight Magazine

The most graphically exciting and visually pleasing series on the market. -- Chicago Tribune

Want to know where to get a great espresso on your way to the Uffizi? Or how much to tip a hotel maid in New York City? Try these travel guides, each an intricate trove of 3-D aerial views, landmark floor plans, color photos and essential eating, shopping and entertainment info. With titles covering Paris, Prague, and London, these pocket-sized guides are like a Michelangelo fresco: deliriously rich in detail. -- People Magazine

Product Details

• Paperback: 504 pages
• Publisher: DK Travel (October 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789419491
• ISBN-13: 978-0789419491
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 4.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #967,044 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

72 of 73 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Accurate, even from a Thai point of view, August 21, 2000

By 

"winyu" (Cambridge, MA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eyewitness Travel Guide to Thailand (Paperback)

As a Thai, I found this book surprisingly accurate to a certain degree. Even to some notorious aspects about Thailand, it provides some truthful information rather than worse-than-reality stuff for those potically correct issues. The graphics is amazing and precise in terms of Thai architecture (I'm an architect). Another compliment goes to some inside info e.g. shopping districts and local customs. I even decided to buy a copy myself even though it's my own country as a good intro to Thailand whenever my Ameican friends ask me to describe it which they usually do.

I recommend this book for people who search for cultural aspect rather than hotels and restaurants. I'm using some books from this very series to travel in Europ too.

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Out Of Date, December 17, 2002

By 

"ozinjapan" (In Japan from Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eyewitness Travel Guide to Thailand (Paperback)

This is a great book with beautiful pictures, maps and nice glossy color pages. The only problem being that it is out of date! Having said that, I would not recommend it for your guide book if travelling to Thailand. Wait for an updated issue.
I am well travelled in Thailand and some of the descriptions in the book make me feel like I was travelling in Thailand 20 years ago! Hope this helps...

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Visual Encyclopedia of Thailand, November 8, 1999

By 

Geoffrey A. Landis "author and scientist" (Berea, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Eyewitness Travel Guide to Thailand (Paperback)

We liked this book a lot. It is not so much a tour guide as an illustrated encyclopedia of what you see in Thailand, with clear, labelled drawings of things such as the interior of a Wat. A great book if you want to understand what you're looking at.