Customer Reviews

Lonely Planet Bangkok (City Guide)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've relied on LP for over 10 years of traveling, and generally think that their publication is better than Moon, Rough Guide, etc.
Since I now live in Bangkok, I feel qualified to review this book. This version is definitely not up to the usual LP standard. I understand that Bangkok changes quickly, but the locations of temples and such do not change (one example - Wat Phra Si Sanphet in Ayuthaya is about a kilometer off). They have also mislabeled restaurants and they sight a restaurant that is apparently right next to my house in Silom... but there has never been a restaurant there. Further, on page 115, the description of the "Riverside Ramble" just cuts off in mid-sentence, which is fine, since they mislabel steps 8-10 anyway.
I think that these authors took a lot of short cuts and just assumed that things listed in the previous version were correct. Sadly, this was not the case.
If you are coming to Bangkok and have the previous edition, you'd be better off keeping that and buying the much cheaper (and more accurate) Nancy Chandler's map to get around.
LP - please pick up your standards on the next version.

I took this guide with me for a month-long trip to Thailand, most of which was spent in Bangkok. The guide did a good job of pointing out major sights and attractions, as well as a handful of hotels and restaurants in each district in Bangkok. A lot of the information, though, was either out-of-date or just plain wrong. Recommended restaurants no longer exist, hotel prices were consistently way off, and at least 50% of the web addresses listed in the guide were wrong due to spelling or typographical errors that were obviously never checked. The included maps are hard to use and have many errors.

Until this guide is overhauled and updated, I can't really recommend it. If I hadn't had Nancy Chandler's map of Bangkok with me as well, this guide would have driven me bonkers!

This is a review of the ninth (October 2010) edition of LP Bangkok.

I've recently purchased this guide and been extremely disappointed. Lonely Planet has really gone downhill in the past few years.
First, this edition eliminates the usual collection of color maps of portions of the city at the back or front of the book. Instead, in its place is a plain paper fold-out map perforated into the back of the book. This map itself is little better than what the tourist office can provide and what this means is that to use the book in daily walks is to carry two different objects, one of which you must constantly fold and unfold. After a few days my map was falling apart. Worse, especially in a city like Bangkok, is the fact that this fold-out map is the only place in the entire book where you can find a diagram of the metro system. In the past maps were LPs strong point.
Second, the repeated griping about how Bangkok is not what it used to be. Bangkok, like all cities, changes, and authenticity is an invented concept. To continually whine about how "old-school" Bangkok is lost is annoying.
Finally, the index is, for some reason, split up into various subindexes - so if you want to look for a particular shopping area, you need to be in the shopping sub-index, rather than the general index; a frustrating and useless trouble that could have been avoided by simply listing places in both locations.
Otherwise, you will find standard Lonely Planet write-ups. It includes all the historic sights in moderate detail, a bunch of hotels (but Trip Advisor will give you more information), lots of restaurants - though there should be more space devoted to street food, and normal write-ups on shopping. The more in-depth health sections that used to be a part of LP guides are also long gone.
Buy it if you have to.

PROS

Familiar LP layout makes it easy to find what you need quickly.
LP guides always have the essentials travelers need, in a similar structure across all guides of the same vintage.
The overview section at the front with color photos gives a feel for what you'll find
Smaller fonts (compared to Rough Guide) means more information on fewer pages, but is also a CON for middle-aged eyes.
Basic coverage of Thai language in the appendix
Excellent double index - the usual kind, plus a categorized index
Perhaps the most complete coverage you'll find on Bangkok in a travel book, with obscure but interesting attractions

CONS

Many hotels listed are surprisingly expensive, and there are good and less-expensive alternatives
The way Thai is spelled is unfamiliar and different from what I see elsewhere
Unnecessary opinions expressed when just the facts will do

VISITING THAILAND THE FIRST TIME

Some people come to Thailand for the beaches; LP has a guide for that. Others are here for the culture; here you have a lot of choices of a guide to buy. For your first visit, you could do worse than to focus on Bangkok and environs. Short of taking airplanes, hopping around could burn a lot of your holiday time and money, and unless you are specifically looking for rural or tribal experiences, Bangkok features the best of Thailand's culture.

If that suits you, I recommend the Lonely Planet Bangkok, which inclues interesting and diverse side trips that do not involve a lot of time- and money-consuming travel. Get to know the culture of the rest of Thailand by what you find here, and it will help you to decide where you want to go on your next visit.

For a short visit, LP Bangkok Encounter may suffice.

WHICH TRAVEL GUIDE?

LP has several travel guides for Thailand. Lonely Planet Discover Thailand (LPDT) is similar to the DK Thailand (DKT) guide, in that it has lots of color photos, and therefore has less factual info in text form. Lonely Planet Thailand (LPT) covers the entire country, or at least the highlights. Lonely Planet Bangkok (LPB) obviously covers that city, with far more detail than LPT, but it also has escapes from Bangkok to give you a taste of the natural wildlife (Khao Yai National Park), ancient Thai ruins (Ayuthaya), a nearby low-key island (Ko Samet), the ever-popular floating markets, and more. If your first visit is around 2 weeks, you could do worse than buy LPB, get to know Bangkok, and take an excursion or two.

I just learned that LP has a shorter version of the Bangkok guide called LP Bangkok Encounter. It may be enough if you are here a week or less. I have not read it, so can't comment more.

If you are going on an extended romp around the country, and have the luxury of time, then LPT is a great choice. It has by far the most information of any LP guide for Thailand.

You might consider LPDT or DKT to get a quick feel for where to go by looking at photos, but without the wealth of information in LPT it may not be the best choice for a long trip. LPDT and DKT are fine if you mainly want to hit the highlights selected by an experienced staff, rather than finding the hidden gems that appeal to you personally.

Rough Guide and others also have guides for Thailand. A good starting point is to go to your library and check them out to help decide which one is right for you. The library does not have to have the very latest edition for you to decide which to buy.

For the record, LP Bangkok has 304 pages (including about 27 pages on excursions outside of BK). It includes hidden gems not listed in other LP guides, my favorite being the fertility shrine with decorated sacred trees, tucked behind a famous hotel where you'd never find it unless someone told you to look for it. LP Thailand has 820 pages, of which 86 are dedicated exclusively to Bangkok. LP Discover Thailand has 46 pages on Bangkok, and more pictures, so even less information.

For a more in-depth comparison of Thailand travel guides, please read my review of Lonely Planet Discover Thailand (Full Color Country Travel Guide).

CONTENTS - 304 pages total

This is not intended to be complete, rather to give you an idea of how much coverage there is of key topics

Highlights - 15 pages
Basics - 66 pages (Getting started, Background
Neighborhoods - 74 pages
Shopping - 15 pages
Eating - 28 pages
Drinking and Nightlife - 16 pages
Entertainment and the Arts - 8 pages
Sports and Activities - 8 pages
Sleeping - 22 pages
Excursions outside Bangkok - 29 pages
Transport and Directory (all of the essential details) - 23 pages
Language - 5 pages

COMMENTS

Because the guide has the luxury of focusing on mainly Bangkok, it is organized on things to do rather than geographic areas (as in country guides). This is very helpful for finding a variety of activities to enjoy during your stay, and Bangkok does offer a tremendous variety. I have to say: the one do-not-miss thing in Bangkok is to visit Wat Prah Kaew / Grand Palace.

The guide doesn't quite come out and say it, so allow me: don't take tuk-tuks, ever, unless you want to get taken-taken. The mass transit and taxis are more comfortable, cheaper, quieter, give you cleaner air, and won't take you out where you did not want to go for various scams. The ever-present tuk-tuk drivers can be politely disuated by smiling and saying "my cop" (for men) or "my kah" (for women). This is polite, often makes them smile, and makes them think that you are too smart to be scammed since you can speak Thai (even if you don't). Read the guide to understand all the reasons you should not use tuk-tuks; they cover this well (but in a few different places).

LP Guides are famous for wasting words to express negative opinions on subjects where simple facts would suffice, and they tend to have a double standard when it comes to sex. Read the box on Gay and Lesbian Nightlife (by a guest writer) for an example of objective facts about the scene without negative judgements. Now read any part of the book that discusses the heterosex equivalents. The latter passages always have loaded and subjective descriptions - sleazy, raunchy, human trafficking, tacky, boredom. Whether it's a gay or straight venue, human flesh is on tap, differing primarily in gender, but with the same environment and presentation in my limited experience. So why does LP tell us that one is ok and the other is not? Most adults have their own opinions about adult entertainment and do not need such judgements from LP. Just the facts, please, ma'am.

The book mentions Traditional Chinese Medicine at Huachiew General Hospital, and says that not much English is spoken there. First, the TCM department is quite close to the Huachiew General Hospital, but it is a separate building, a five-story building with Chinese-style decoration on the roof. Second, English IS spoken there. The Thai lady at the Information Desk certainly knew enough to get me to the acupuncture department, and up there, the highly skilled practitioner, who is from Shanghai, understands and speaks English very well (but not Thai!). Google to find the Web site with more information and a map in Thai to show the taxi driver.

I'm a little surprised to see that aside from the backpacker-oriented Khao San Road, most of the lodgings and restaurants are rather expensive. There are plenty of great options for sleeping and dining all over the city, offering aircon, wifi, and access to mass transit, for reasonable prices, at half the price of what LP calls mid-range, yet still well located. And I have a few favorite restaurants, none of which is listed. So I have taken a star for these things.

Generally, this guide contains most of the advice I would give to anyone visiting Thailand. Get the book and read it; it will make a huge difference in your trip to know before you go.

WHO, ME?

I have spent a lot of time in 13 Asian countries, and have visited Bangkok more times than I can count, for business and holiday. I have used all of LP's guides for Thailand except BK Encounter and Thailand Islands and Beaches, plus DK and Rough Guide. I am using this guide this week in Bangkok, to find places I have yet to see.

received it very fast, but the content really something below any worst expectations, even though i always like LP, but definitely not this one about BKK... i guess i am able to find more and even more useful info online by myself. do not recommend it.

I found this book very informative, even after being to Bangkok 3 times. I This book covers in greater detail than Southeast Asia on a shoestring, and has identified many places to visit, eat and see in my coming travels to Asia and beyond.

This book breaks down all of the sections of Bangkok and w/in those sections it will have areas of interest, shopping, eating, entertainment all with detailed maps. I had this book w/ me the whole time I was there!