Customer Reviews

Frommer's Thailand (Frommer's Complete)

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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.

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'.

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.