Lonely Planet Thailand (8th ed) [Paperback]

Joe Cummings (Author)

Book Description

Series: 8th ed | Publication Date: August 1999

This travel guide to Thailand includes descriptions of key attractions, from golden wats and swan-boat races to powder-white beaches and hill-tribe trekking; the best places to savour Thai cuisine; and an extensive language chapter featuring Thai script.

Product Details

• Paperback: 1032 pages
• Publisher: Lonely Planet; 8th edition (August 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0864426364
• ISBN-13: 978-0864426369
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.1 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,713,473 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

105 of 110 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a guide for ALL of Thailand, December 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Lonely Planet Thailand (8th ed) (Paperback)

This guide--like previous Lonely Planet guides to Thailand--offers the full range of Thailand to the potential tourist. Indeed the famous R&R resort city of Pattaya receives only 12 pages, but the fact that one-third of visitors to Thailand go there anyway means that the glitzy notoriety of Pattaya's "entertainments" are probably already well-known enough abroad.

Cummings' book is directed to a different audience. For those who do not wish to read about the political or social problems involved with certain kinds of (shall I say "predatory"?) tourism, there are other guides to Thailand. But for those who have traveled to Thailand and elsewhere before with Lonely Planet guide in hand and have appreciated the careful attention these book pay to parts of the country and aspects of the culture that might otherwise be missed, we can rejoice that Cummings has spent many, many pages turning our eyes toward the beautiful yet neglected or underappreciated parts of Thailand, all the while reminding us of the potential for abuse that is may be latent in even the gentlest of tourists.

Cummings book is simply not designed for the tourist who deplanes in Bangkok already drooling after the "delights" available in some neon-illuminated corners of this othewise beautiful, hospitable country filled with many, many thoughtful, kind, and decent people. Those tourists who would dismiss Cummings' commentary generally don't need a guidebook anyway. For them, everything they want out of Thailand will be offered in all its sleazy glory as soon as the touts see the glint in their eyes and their tongues hanging out.

The third copy I have purchased of Cummings' thoughtful book will be in my hand this January when I get to Thailand. Previous editions have guided me and my family on the most memorable (and inexpensive) trips we have ever taken. This book makes it possible to enjoy Thailand with a fullness and richness that other guides can't match.

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lonely Planet fan, April 4, 2000

By 

DarPo1 (Midwest - USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lonely Planet Thailand (8th ed) (Paperback)

Re: other reviewers' comments on Pattaya: Thanks, Joe, for NOT dwelling on that tourist trap. ANY OTHER brochure, website, or travel agent offers equal information. Lonely Planet's info given is more than plenty to fully enjoy R&R in Pattaya.

If you want to venture to the true beauty of Thailand, true land of smiles, than use LP as a terrific reference. If you want someone else to plan your whole trip and be part of a tour group, then call a travel agent or buy the "other" books.

Re: 7th edition: "Loi Krathong" (Festival of Lights - last full moon in November) needs more detailed information for more cities in Thailand and the festival itself. For me, this was THE festival of the year - great to observe pre-celebration, too. The flowers, floats, parades, food, atmosphere... This was one of my highlights of the trip. (We spent pre-festivities in Bangkok; actual festival in Ayuthaya). Joe only briefly mentions that it's "best to celebrate in the North." Don't let this discourage you from celebrating it elsewhere in Thailand.

Having traveled with various guide books, nothing so far beats the Lonely Planet guide books. But you must keep in mind as a user - all recommendations are merely recommendations. Investigate comments, take in the facts. (The comments are usually funny and helpful anyway). The cultural background information, history, and other side notes help make the difference to buy Lonely Planet instead of the others. Joe Cummings' LP books on Thailand, Bangkok & the phrasebook were superb. I liked his insight. LP helps you be a traveler, not just a tourist. (Other LP books used: Israel, Turkey, Greece, Western Europe, Baltics, Asia, and Hong Kong. They've all been worth their weight and size). If you can take your own luggage off the baggage carousel, you must use Lonely Planet.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars With Love from Thailand, February 8, 2001

By 

Moshe Reuveni - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lonely Planet Thailand (8th ed) (Paperback)

I have just returned from a trip to Thailand, where this Lonely Planet has served me extremely well in creating a fascinating trip. Unlike other Lonely Planet guides, this one seems to go above the level of catering backpackers alone. The information provided will help all travellers, from those who seek to taste each and every experience the hard way, to those who look for a remote control like excursion.

Helpful information on places to stay and places to eat proved to be extremely accurate, which is quite a surprise for any guide book (I'm used to paying more and receiving less than the guide says).

The book has its down sides, though. By trying to be thorough and guide the reader through all the important sites, it fails to give the necessery weight to places of less importance but more charm. If we take Bangkok, for example, it seemed to me too much space was dedicated to the temples, with which I soon grew bored, while other charming venues were neglected.

However, the book's attractiveness comes mainly from the fact it is quite obvious the author is in love with the items he writes about. This love gives the reader a personal angle when reading the book, and it is this love that makes this book your best guide to Thailand.