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Lonely Planet Discover Thailand by China Williams

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Experience The Best of Thailand
Make the most of your trip abroad – Lonely Planet’s full color Discover guides highlight the best a country has to offer while still providing an authentic and memorable experience.



Full Color Throughout
Full of color images and maps – makes planning as inspiring as the journey itself
Color-coded navigation

Easy-To-Use Structure
Easy-to-use tools include: color-coded chapters, color thumb tabs, dynamic color spreads on major highlights and
Easy-to-read planning sections throughout

Highlights
Special front-of-book chapter on the top 25 can’t-miss experiences
Features the must-see attractions and unbeatable experiences
Focuses on key cities and regions

Itineraries
Country-wide itineraries take you step by step though the country – broken out by interest, theme and length of trip
Region-specific itineraries help you plan more deeply for the regions you are most interested in

Local Experts
Major attractions include insights from local experts on what not to miss
Product Details
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Lonely Planet; 1 edition (April 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1741799945
ISBN-13: 978-1741799941
Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #7,635 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
#1 in Books > Travel > Asia > Thailand
#4 in Books > Travel > Asia > Southeast



Which is the right guide for YOU?, September 25, 2010
By Mark Colan "duke-of-url" (Medford, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE) (TOP 1000 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Lonely Planet Discover Thailand (Full Color Country Guides) (Paperback)
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
WHAT'S AVAILABLE?

There are many to choose from for your trip to Thailand. There are several from Lonely Planet (LP), plus there is the Rough Guide, DK, Frommers, "Travelers Tales" and "Culture Shock". Start at the library or a big bookstore and look them over briefly.

I usually prefer LP, not because it is better than Rough Guide (for some places, Rough is much better), but because LP is available for more countries. Because the style is consistent, I can quickly find what I need.

Now LP has TWO country guides for Thailand: LP Thailand (LPT) with 820 pages, and the new "LP discover Thailand" (LPDT), a.k.a. Full Color Country Guide, at 408 pages; LPT is larger but they weigh approximately the same. LPDT is comparable to DK: lots of color pictures, beautifully organized, larger type, nicer layout, heavier paper. Like DK, I think it is best for reading before you go, even before you decide WHERE to go. If your library has LPDT or DK, you might start with them, and then buy the LPT to bring with you. If you are only going to Bangkok, or the beaches and islands, LP has guides for these destinations that have even more info than LPT.

LP DISCOVER THAILAND (LPDT) vs. LONELY PLANET THAILAND (LPT)

This section is about comparing the two books without value judgements. I am not saying one is better than the other here, rather that one book may be better for you than the other. In particular, more is not always better. For example, if you have time to see only one site, and not a lot of time to read/research, it is useful to have the book present the most popular highlight. Other people want to see more choices and make up their own minds. Both styles are useful.

Since LPDT has half as many pages as the standard guide, has larger type, more pictures, more white space, you would guess correctly that it does not have as much information as LPT. Mostly, it has the same KIND of information as LPT - where to go, how to get there, how to get around, where to stay, what to do, entertainment, food info, dangers, annoyances, health risks, etc - most of the basic info you need to get around. But LPDT has much less info than LPT, and it lists fewer actual locations.

Central and North of Thailand Hotel Recommendation and List

I'll use Phitsanulok for comparison. It is not a primary place to visit, but it is covered in both guides. LPDT has fewer than 4 pages, part of which are used for pictures; it has 1 paragraph for 1 temple and a brief mention of a few other sights, lists 5 hotels and 6 places to eat, discusses only the city, and has no city map. LPT has almost 9 pages, describes 2 wats in about one page of text, covers the city plus nearby areas in the province, includes a detailed city map, no photos, and lists 17 hotels and 11 eating options. [Note: I used LPT 11ed 2005 for this comparison.]

LPDT has 46 pages for Bangkok; LPT has almost 100 (including daytrips around Bangkok). LP Bangkok has 296 pages.



LPT describes many more locations in Thailand than LPDT. LPT has 83 pages on Northeastern Thailand (Isaan); LPDT has 26. LPDT excludes Udon Thani, a mid-sized city to the north popular with ex-pats. This does not make LPDT worse, because the places that have been excluded are not primary places to visit. While choices for cutting were probably difficult, I think they chose reasonably well.

LPT has 12 pages on the history of Thailand, sections on food, and some but not many color pictures. LPDT and LPT weigh approximagely the same, but I estimate that LPT has 3-4 times as much information but far fewer pictures. LPT makes compromises on the paper, pictures, type size, layout, white space, etc in order maximize the amount of useful information needed during a trip. LPDT is more glossy (one reason it weighs more).

WHEN IS LPDT USEFUL?

For a first time traveler, especially if you have limited time or prefer fixed itineraries, LPDT (or DK) might be all you need for your trip. LPDT and DK are great for a traveler who is unfamiliar with a country; they give you a good idea of what you will see, which helps you decide where to go and learn a lot quickly.

I have been to Thailand several times, but I still find LPDT useful to find parts of Thailand I have not yet visited, with pictures to help me plan which ones to visit. But I will use it at home, and bring LPT with me.

For people with middle-aged eyes, LPDT is easier to read with its larger type, whiter paper for more contrast, more white space, and color coding to navigate more quickly, though LPT isn't that bad.

BOTTOM LINE

For me, both the LPDT and DK guides help me decide where I want to go more quickly with pictures and easier organization, but I bring LPT with me instead because it has a far more information. I prefer to travel with only a rough plan and make it up as I go, so having LPT with me is essential. It also helps when problems come up - something is closed, there is bad weather or trouble, etc.

All of the books I discussed are good, but their purposes and depth of information vary considerably. Buying the right one for YOUR needs is worth a bit of research.

NOTE: I am an Amazon Vine reviewer. This book was provided to me free for my review, but I am not paid. My opinions are not influenced by getting a free book, nor am I asked to write positive reviews: I call them like I see them. I have been to Thailand more than a dozen times and have spent a lot of time in many places. I know the country reasonably well, speak some Thai, and I have read most travel books about this country.

Chiangmai Hotel Recommendation and List
Chiangrai Hotel Recommendation and List
Bangkok Hotel Recommendation and List
Phuket Hotel Recommendation and List
Central and North of Thailand Hotel Recommendation and List

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This post was written by: beemagnet77

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