Lonely Planet Thailand's Islands & Beaches

by Joe Cummings, Steven Martin, Lonely Planet

From Antarctica to Zimbabwe, if you're going there, chances are Lonely Planet has been there first. With a pithy and matter-of-fact writing style, these guides are guaranteed to calm the nerves of first-time world travelers, while still listing off-the-beaten-path finds sure to thrill even the most jaded globe-trotters. Lonely Planet has been perfecting its guidebooks for nearly 30 years and as a result, has the experience and know-how similar to an older sibling's "been there" advice. The original backpacker's bible, the LP series has recently widened its reach. While still giving insights for the low-budget traveler, the books now list a wide range of accommodations and itineraries for those with less time than money. With a special full-color section on marine life (nudibranches and spider crabs galore), this is the definitive guide to Thailand's beaches. The authors provide excellent coast-by-coast coverage complete with tantalizing photographs. If you are undecided, read with caution, as this book could easily prompt the purchase of your air ticket. --Kathryn True

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Asia

450 pages, Paperback

First published May 22, 2000

Reviews

[Matt Burgess · Rating 4 out of 5]

All in all this Lonely Planet book is a wonderful resource. While I don't recommend it for leisure reading it covers a variety of topics a potential traveller would want. From hotel/restaurant listings to customs the Lonely Planet team in Thailand makes great recommendations with right amount of detail. I particularly enjoyed the side notes explaining history and tips about very specific places and people that may be encountered on a trip.

Lonely Planet: Thailand is worth the admission price for all would be travellers to this Far East land.

[Faith B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really helpful stuff! I used this to get an idea of where to stay for a week-long trip in Phuket. While I didn't use any of the lodging ideas listed, I did use the descriptions of each town/beach to determine where I wanted to stay. Once I got to Thailand, I found that the descriptions matched up very well with reality!

The advice on taxis, costs, and ideas for things to do in the area were also extremely helpful. I ended up using a scuba/snorkeling company that the book recommended and had a great time. The food recommendations were also spot on. As a whole, an extremely helpful book!

My only critique is that the pull-out map in the back is for Bangkok, which is not really helpful when you're buying a book on Thailand's islands and beaches... wish it had been a map of Phuket or something more applicable.

[Chelsea · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you want to travel Thailand with your children, look elsewhere. This book had way more information on how to hook up with prostitutes suggestions for families. There’s literally just a few sentences in the back of the book giving you a website to go to if you are traveling with children. Complete waste of time and money.

[Julie Garner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great guide for the area however it covers more than I needed with just a small portion on where I want to go. Pocket Phuket has been much more helpful with information not found in this larger volume.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lonely Planet never disappoints; thanks for the great phuket town rec!

[Brilliant · Rating 5 out of 5]

前世一条鱼，今生爱大海
每年都一定要去海边待几天，就这么说定了

[Pernille · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quite nice «guide» about the islands and the close by places

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heaps of information.

[Ingibjorg Bjorgvinsdottir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grate help, stayed at the place recommended in phi phi. Well updated.

[Alexandria Rauf · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you have read the Lonely Planet Thailand book, skip this one. Info is good, sure, but it is literally a copy of the Thailand book, just minus Northern Thailand and a few other areas. I was able to match up pages at random, and was bummed that there wasn't different, more detailed information.