Frommer's Thailand (Complete Guides)

Frommers Best travel guide book for #Thailand includes a pullout map

I always buy Frommers when I travel abroad. It is comprehensive and has details all in one book vs. Googling everything. It includes maps and special little ideas of things to do and places to stay and eat.

Just returned from Thailand (wow! what a country!!!) and I have to say that our trip wouldn’t have been a fraction as good if we hadn’t had this book along with us. In fact, we brought Fodors and Lonely Planet but ended up dumping them in our Chiang Mai hotel room because they really weren’t worth lugging around, and that the Frommers was MUCH better, and MUCH more up to date. We used Frommer’s to help us create an overall itinerary for the trip, and it turned out really well. The itineraries in the book are really detailed, so we knew how to hit all the top sites in Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai without running ourselves into the ground. Be sure to bring your stretchy pants, because the food in Thailand is extraordinary, and the book recommends a lot of really great, really local places (we were sometimes the only non-Thai in the room). We also really appreciated the books cultural explanations; they helped us understand what we were seeing when we were at the temples and historic sites. They also helped us to choose to visit an ethical elephant camp, where the animals are cared for but NOT ridden, a highlight of the trip. All in all: a top resource!

When you out grow lonely planet, this is the perfect travel companion. I love the suggested itineraries, as well as hotel & restuarant recommendations.The book is small & compact, perfect to throw in your day pack & whip out when you want to learn more about the sites you visit.

So Thailand is really, really great, but I don’t think I would have understood half of what I saw, or enjoyed it half as much without this book. You spend a lot of time going to beautiful temples, and thanks to this book I understood the architecture and the rituals. And the book suggested that I talk with the monks, which was a GREAT suggestion. They were so lovely (a lot of them wanted to practice their English) and gave me personal tours around the temples, which was great. I am also grateful to this guide for the fabulous (and really authentic) restaurants it led me to. At some, I was the only non-Thai speaker there, and thank goodness the book also told me how to say “not spicy” because boy do they love to burn your tongue in Thailand.Finally, the book helped me put together a really balanced vacation with time in the big city (Bangkok), at the beach and up in the mountains (we did a road trip which was amazing, and not hard to figure out, thanks to the book).Overall: loved Thailand and loved this book.

Thoroughly researched, easily understood, and a must-have for anyone traveling to Thailand.

Thailand is on my bucket list and now I am READY TO GO! This guide is perfect - up to date information and cool insider tips - you can tell the author knows the location well. I've already bought copies for two lucky couples who are headed there on their honeymoon. Now I just need to plan MY trip!

I like the layout of Rick Steves' books much better. They are an easier read.

I bought this guide as an alternative to the LP guide (which I also own). This guide has great details on the places it covers, but has zero information on less popular destinations, particularly in Northern Thailand. No information on places such as Nan or Phrae, and only a half page on Lampang as a day trip from Chiang Mai. Probably good for first time visitors, but not great for any in depth exploration. Can't speak to how well it handles the southern beaches and Islands, because I didn't read those chapters. This guide also lacks a bit of detail on the how to get there (specifics). At least the shipping was free. It won't be coming with me on my trip.