The Rough Guide to Bangkok

This was one of two guide books I relied on for a recent trip to Bangkok (the other is the Moon Guide for Bangkok, also recommended). I have always found Rough Guides to be most useful and a cut above Lonely planet, Frommers and the also-rans. This book for Bangkok did not disappoint. The details provided by this RG served me well. I had been to Bangkok before and the RG helped me find new, more esoteric sites I had not seen on prior trips. The book, like most RGs, "tells it like it is" and will recommend NOT going to some sites. For example, RGs tells the reader that one of the Death Railroad museums (for an excursion from Bangkok) is essentially terrible and a waste of time. The same museum is described by Frommers as (paraphrasing) "only for the most dedicated war buff." Which description do you trust? Well for "research" I went to the museum in question and Frommers lost all credibility with me. Overall, this compact, yet detailed, book was one of the two most used books on my trip. This edition is up to date and even does a decent job of explaining Thai history.

This past Xmas, we had only 3 days to spend in Bangkok. We brought this book, the Lonely Planet Bangkok city map, and Emily Warn's Expedia article on Bangkok -- all of which fit into one jacket pocket, if you fold the map in half. (Compactness is key when you're traveling by tuktuk, bus, and riverboat.) Thus armed, we were able to efficiently cover the main sights without exhausting ourselves too much. (Best places to slow down & relax: the Dusit Zoo and the massage school at Wat Po. Especially the massage school. $5 US for a 1-hour traditional Thai massage -- clothes on, suitable for all ages -- and you'll feel like a new man, woman, or child. Mmm! :-) )

I was in Bangkok after a big trip to "Australasia" and Bnagkok was the last stop... I found the book a little hard to get used to (I traveled with Lonely Planet until then) but when that happened it was hard to see me NOT reading it! The maps, insights, history coverage and accomodation/eateries recomendations are great! The only drawback is that it takes a while to find what you need in the book (it's not that well orginized...) All in all it's a great guide!