BootsnAll Travel Community

I'm off to Thailand for the first time, backpacking for a few months.

Which is the best travel guide for me? I've narrowed it down to 3

1) Lonely Planet (Summer 2007)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thailand-Lonely-Planet-Country-...&colid=2J440WYKOU42Y
2) Footprint (Summer 2007)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thailand-Footprint-Handbooks-An...&colid=2J440WYKOU42Y
3) Michelin Green Guide (Jan 2008)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Michelin-Green-Guide-Thailand-G...&colid=2J440WYKOU42Y

I guess Lonely Planet is the best, but i've heard everyone has one of these so you tend to follow everyone else around like sheep?

I'm edging towards the Michelin one but i dont know why...

Thanks

If I were you, I would choose the Footprint. Everyone else will have a copy of the Lonely Planet guide, so it will be available if you want to follow the pack.

It usually works best to discover your own guesthouses and cafes anyway: there are always new ones that have sprung up since the book was written and they tend to be cleaner, cheaper and less crowded than whatever ones are in "the book".

The Michelin guide is most likely fine for everything but cafes and guesthouses, as they market towards a different clientèle than us.

Word of mouth is always best. It's up-to-date.

What about the Rough Guide!!!!!!

Rough Guides rule, Lonely Planet is to err.. I don't know the word, they're almost to good, LP wants to tell you everything, Rough Guides just help you out when you (I) make a mess of things and end up stuck somewhere.

quote:

Originally posted by billynomates:
What about the Rough Guide!!!!!!

Hasnt been one released since 2006

Aw well, that would scupper that idea then.
When I went to India I couldn't get one any newer than Oct 2005. They wanna sort themselves out really.

Decided to go with Footprint. Cheers guys

To be honest I used the LP a lot when I was there. It was a decent resource to have but heavy and outdated. Since you have made your decision already that is great. Try this Travel Guide if you need some up-to-date information.

Good luck and try as much street food as you can.

quote:

Originally posted by hayden:
Good luck and try as much street food as you can.

Cheers, i'll definetly be doing that!

Just remember that it's only a guide. Trust your own judgement when onsite.