Frommer's Thailand (Frommer's Complete) [Paperback]

Charles Agar (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 23, 2004 | Series: Frommer's Complete Guides (Book 1)

You'll never fall into the tourist traps when you travel with Frommer's. It's like having a friend show you around, taking you to the places locals like best. Our expert authors have already gone everywhere you might go--they've done the legwork for you, and they're not afraid to tell it like it is, saving you time and money. No other series offers candid reviews of so many hotels and restaurants in all price ranges. Every Frommer's Travel Guide is up-to-date, with exact prices for everything, dozens of color maps, and exciting coverage of sports, shopping, and nightlife. You'd be lost without us!

Frommer's holds the key to worry-free travel in this exotic land, with valuable cultural insights, the latest trip-planning advice, detailed maps, and smart tips on language, local customs, and getting around. You'll find honest, in-depth reviews of luxury beach resorts, high-tech business hotels, intimate inns, and simple guest houses and bungalows, all based on recent personal inspections.

We'll show you spectacular beaches, waterfalls, floating markets, majestic temples, ancient ruins, national parks, palaces, and traditional villages. We'll lead you to amazing restaurants, and even take you elephant trekking in the Northern Hills. You'll also rely on us to guide you through the confusing, bustling, but intriguing city of Bangkok (our author, who lived there while writing this guide, knows it intimately, and discovered all sorts of hidden surprises). With Frommer's in hand, you'll experience all the wonder of Thailand!

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Experience a place the way the locals do. Enjoy the best it has to offer. And avoid tourist traps. At Frommer’s, we use 150 outspoken travel experts around the world to help you make the right choices. Frommer’s. Your guide to a world of travel experience.

Choose the Only Guide That Gives You:

• Everything you need to plan a safe and successful vacation in Thailand.
• Outspoken opinions on what’s worth your time and what’s not.
• Exact prices, so you can plan the perfect trip no matter what your budget.
• Off-the-beaten-path experiences and undiscovered gems, plus new takes on top attractions.
• The best hotels and restaurants in every price range, with candid reviews.

About the Author

After completing a Masters in English Literature at the University of Rochester, work as an English teacher in Japan first brought Charles Agar to Asia. The years since have found him in the region whenever possible, practicing Buddhism, teaching and studying language. In addition to writing Frommer’s Thailand, Charles is a contributing author to Frommer’s Southeast Asia, covering Vietnam, Laos, Bali, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Myanmar. He would like to thank the many people who have helped him, among them: Leisa Tyler, travel writing guru; Annette Monreal for the sympathy on rice; Sharda and Ti for late nights at Larry’s; Jay and Pum for the groovy dinners; Andrew for revealing the heart of Chinatown; and Khun Ralph for having Ghandi on DVD. A special thanks to Michael and Anna Deland, Connell McGrath, and his loving parents and family for their help and support.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Frommers; 6 edition (April 23, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764544527
• ISBN-13: 978-0764544521
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,265,114 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unjustly Maligned, April 22, 2006

By 

next (SFO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Frommer's Thailand (Frommer's Complete) (Paperback)

I like this guide for the very reason others seem to bash it: it's written for the non-backpacker who would rather avoid sleeping on a luggage rack or eating in a hole in the wall. Been there, done that. But now I'm older and and can afford to budget a luxury or two when I travel. There's plenty of information on the sights, streets, spectacles, etc., but as noted, the tips on accommodation focus on 3.5-star places and above.

36 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The author assumes too little of the traveler to Thailand, October 5, 2004

By 

JP NoItAll "JP" (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Frommer's Thailand (Frommer's Complete) (Paperback)

I bought the Frommers book mostly to meet the spending limit required to get free shipping for my online order .. and because it's smaller than the LP and bigger than Fodors (not bad), which I already have .. and I was curious. I've been to Thailand several times and speak decent Thai. This guide book is like your parents' or your grandparents' guidebook, though it tries in little ways to be different. It's characterization of travel in Thailand, and assumptions about your attitudes, says to me "you don't really want to see the real Thailand". They feel you'll be happiest at the newest, more expensive, cleanest, most Western hotels and restaurants and that you'll be more interested in the best-run, well-lit, safe and sanitary and `gee those curious Thai' types of attractions. They encourage you to be wary and worried (not always a bad idea, but hey, Thailand is a very safe place compared to the Americas!) and concerned about your hygiene (Thais, on average, are more concerned about hygiene than Westerners).

Some advice is good, and info. on the sex trade is straightforward enough, which is appreciated because you can make up your own mind. On other subjects I feel they're mostly wrong, for example the quality of faux designer goods. They make 'cute' jokes about fake Rolex watches and designer fashion goods lasting a week, but actually the quality can be very good. Having bought many such items as fun gifts over the last 10 years, I can report that all the fake Rolexes I've purchased still keep accurate time! In other areas I think they also give poor advice, for example, online booking of hotels using Thai websites. These are actually where you get the best deals, not available at the hotels no matter what your bargaining skills. They advise using `trusted' US sites like Travelocity, Expedia, & Hotwire. Sure, but only if you're looking to spend money on expensive international-style hotels in big cities. It seems they prey on our fears out of their own fear of lawsuits .. not sure.

Overall, there is some very good advice thrown in with questionable suggestions, but what kills me most is the attitude of the book - they can't really give it straight to you because they've got you pegged as a first-time traveler from the Midwest and they're 'looking out for you'.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent choice, July 10, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Frommer's Thailand (Frommer's Complete) (Paperback)

I was lucky enough to select this guide for a week long trip to Bangkok and surrounding areas. The book had great maps and great suggestions for sites and methods of transportation. I would buy this again.