Books forum

Lonely Planet's Thailand 12th edition reviewed

somtam2000

admin
mahout
Posts: 5884
Located in:

Private message

Lonely Planet were kind enough to send us a complimentary review copy of their new guidebook to Thailand, released August 2007. So, if you're planning on going to Thailand and are still looking for a guide, you may find our review of interest.

You can read the full review of Lonely Planet Thailand 12th edition here.

If you've an opinion on the latest edition, please feel free to add it in here.

Thanks!

#1 Posted: 13/9/2007 - 10:54

------------------------------
iPhone Apps for Southeast Asia
EmjayReet

tuk tuk driver
Posts: 156
Located in:

Once again a spot on review of a guidebook! I have to admit that I wasnt sure whether to purchase it considering I was there in Jan and still have No 11, but decided since LP had a 30% sale on I would get it ... Very disappointed! I could not believe the lack of accommodation reviews especially in the budget section! What are they thinking?

I totally agree. Grab the old copy for dirt cheap. You will not be missing out on much!

Reet xx

#2 Posted: 19/9/2007 - 09:25

------------------------------
http://www.travelblog.org/bloggers/reet
mic59

traveller
Posts: 97

I went to Thailand in 1997 and Lonely Planet was a huge help so I bought LP12 as I am going back this year. The book was an incredible disappointment. Apart from being badly edited(how often can you use the word 'ambience' in one book) too much of the book seemed to be dedicated to the reviewers opinions of guesthouses. Whereas earlier editions just listed the guesthouses and kept away from opinions unless there was some good reason, LP12 was awash with descriptions of the hardness of mattresses, possible terseness of staff and a million other picky little problems that only come up if you're expecting a $7 a night place to be a luxury resort. The amount of space that was given away to editorials on how good a restaurant was meant that only limited space was left, leaving the impression that there are only a small number of guesthouses worthy of note in any one city.

#3 Posted: 10/8/2008 - 13:20
SBE

mahout
Posts: 1735
Located in:

Private message

Hmm. Wonder if you will be getting any more complimentary Thailand Guides Somtam? ;-)

Spot on review I expect BTW ... not that I've bought an LP guide for years. The last one I bought was a hot off the press guide to Burma. Totally out of date and useless as far as accommodation and transport was concerned. They give you a vague idea where you might like to go, that's about it. I find a decent map a lot more useful and not as heavy to lug around.

#4 Posted: 10/8/2008 - 16:06
somtam2000

admin
mahout
Posts: 5884
Located in:

Private message

Ha -- it was the last freebie we got -- there was supposedly another one on the way, but it never got here...

#5 Posted: 10/8/2008 - 18:58

------------------------------
iPhone Apps for Southeast Asia
travelrock

tuk tuk driver
Posts: 209

this site and the lp forum is better and free. lp books r over priced badly and crap

#6 Posted: 11/8/2008 - 21:42
MADMAC

mahout
Posts: 3999

I think they've been getting sloppy in how they assign people to do this work. And their information on nightlife is crap, really poorly researched.

#7 Posted: 3/7/2009 - 13:04

------------------------------
Victory in Pattani
BruceMoon

mahout
Posts: 1941
Located in:

Am going to England in October, so I bought the latest UK Lonely Planet.

When flicking through, I was amazed to note the prices for the listed accommodation.

While I don't rely on LP for accommodation, I was nonetheless quite surprised at the prices (compared to what I was reviewing for myself online).

I then went to our local library and withdrew an earlier version of LP.

WOW!!!!

I can only assume that now LP has been bought by BBC, the 'masters' have decided that the UK LP is to be oriented to yuppies (they select even more expensive options than flashpackers).

I am now wondering what BBC has in store for LP elsewhere in the world.

Or, does BBC research show that backpackers and flashpackers are miserly (we can all identify with that view - more or less) and its the yuppies that will give them future profit?

Cheers

#8 Posted: 2/8/2009 - 07:33

------------------------------
An Australian Veteran globetrotting...
MADMAC

mahout
Posts: 3999

"I can only assume that now LP has been bought by BBC, the 'masters' have decided that the UK LP is to be oriented to yuppies (they select even more expensive options than flashpackers)."

But not more expensive than my wife. If it's not more than 1,500 baht a night she isn't entertaining it.

#9 Posted: 4/8/2009 - 12:45

------------------------------
Victory in Pattani
BruceMoon

mahout
Posts: 1941
Located in:

John (MAC)

That's easy, tell her the budget can't afford, and leave her to enjoy the home castle.

Cheers

#10 Posted: 4/8/2009 - 12:53

------------------------------
An Australian Veteran globetrotting...
MADMAC

mahout
Posts: 3999

For the most part, she does stay home - because she doesn't like to travel. Come to think of it, I don't like to travel much either... I do it because I have to.

#11 Posted: 19/8/2009 - 02:03

------------------------------
Victory in Pattani
scottyheath-
er

beach masseuse
Posts: 89

We bought the LP Thailand guidebook and were really disappointed in it too. I've always used the LP books in the past and found them great, but to be honest, I've not even bothered reading this one much since I discovered Travelfish. Unfortunately, we bought the Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam books as well as the Thailand one and I don't even want to take them with us so it looks like hubby will be carrying them if he wants to read up on outdated accommodation sections. I'll just seek out internet cafes and log onto this forum if I need any advice......

#12 Posted: 10/12/2009 - 09:12
scottyheath-
er

beach masseuse
Posts: 89

If I'm really being honest, I don't think much of Thorn Tree Travel either - I find it really hard to navigate it and just give up in the end. I don't think I'm particularly stupid so does anyone else have a problem with that site??

#13 Posted: 10/12/2009 - 09:15
somtam2000

admin
mahout
Posts: 5884
Located in:

Private message

Re Thorntree there is a lot of good info in there -- but a lot of rubbish too. Can be time consuming sifting through it all ... I gave up a year or so back, but if you persevere can be worthwhile.

#14 Posted: 10/12/2009 - 10:49

------------------------------
iPhone Apps for Southeast Asia
Danlo

motodop
Posts: 21

They are great books but as much can be found online before traveling and is a bit expensive

#15 Posted: 1/3/2010 - 17:47

------------------------------
Expat in Thailand