Fodor's Essential Thailand: with Cambodia & Laos

by Fodor's Travel Publications

Overview

Ready to experience Thailand? The experts at Fodor’s are here to help. Fodor’s Essential Thailand: with Cambodia & Laos travel guide is packed with customizable itineraries with top recommendations, detailed maps of Thailand, and exclusive tips from locals. Whether you want to visit Buddhist temples, sample Bangok’s street food, indulge in a Thai massage, or shop floating markets, this up-to-date guidebook will help you plan it all out.

This new edition has been FULLY-REDESIGNED with a fresh layout and beautiful images for more intuitive travel planning!

Fodor’s Essential Thailand includes:

• AN ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE GUIDE that visually captures the top highlights of Thailand, as well as neighboring Cambodia and Laos.

• SPECTACULAR COLOR PHOTOS AND FEATURES throughout, including special features on the Grand Palace, Angkor Wat, Thai markets, the Buddha in Thailand, and Thailand’s beaches.

• INSPIRATIONAL “BEST OF” LISTS identify the best things to see, do, eat, drink, and more.

• MULTIPLE ITINERARIES for various trip lengths help you maximize your time.

• MORE THAN 50 DETAILED MAPS AND A FREE PULLOUT MAP help you plot your itinerary and navigate confidently.

• EXPERT RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS offer options for every taste.

• TRIP PLANNING TOOLS AND PRACTICAL TIPS include: guides to getting around, saving money and time, beating the crowds; basic Thai phrases; and a calendar of festivals and events.

• LOCAL INSIDER ADVICE tells you where to find under-the-radar gems including: “20 Things to Eat and Drink in Thailand,” “10 Unique Places to Stay,” “10 Ethical Animal Encounters,” “Best Outdoor Adventures,” and lists of the best temples and natural wonders

• HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL OVERVIEWS add perspective and enrich your travels.

• COVERS: Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Ayutthaya, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Samui, Cambodia, and Laos, and includes the Ruins of Ayutthaya, Khao Suk National Park, Phanom Rung, the Grand Palace, Angkor Wat, Koh Similan, and more.

ABOUT FODOR'S AUTHORS: Each Fodor's Travel Guide is researched and written by local experts. Fodor’s has been offering expert advice for all tastes and budgets for over 80 years.

Planning on visiting more of Southeast Asia? Check out Fodor’s Essential Vietnam.

Original cover photography by Jill Krueger.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781640971271
Publisher:	Fodor's Travel Publications, Inc.
Publication date:	04/09/2019
Series:	Fodor's Travel Guides Series , #1
Pages:	560
Sales rank:	715,360
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

For over 80 years, Fodor's Travel has been a trusted resource offering expert travel advice for every stage of a traveler's trip. We hire local writers who know their destinations better than anyone else, allowing us to provide the best travel recommendations for all tastes and budget in over 7,500 worldwide destinations. Our books make it possible for every trip to be a trip of a lifetime.

Table of Contents

1 Experience Thailand 7

25 Ultimate Experiences 8

What's Where 18

What to Eat and Drink in Thailand 20

What to Buy in Thailand 22

Best Festivals in Thailand 24

Best Temples and Ruins in Thailand 26

Best Temples and Ruins in Cambodia and Laos 28

Best Natural Wonders in Cambodia and Laos 30

Introduction to Thai Architecture 32

Thai Massage 34

Thailand Today 36

What to Read and Watch 38

2 Travel Smart 45

Know Before You Go 46

Getting Here and Around 48

Essentials 52

Contacts 59

Great Itineraries 60

3 Bangkok 65

The Old City 76

Banglamphu 84

Thonburi 87

Dusit and Northern Bangkok 89

Chinatown 99

Pathumwan 103

Sukhumvit 121

Silom, Sathorn, and Bang Rak 129

Suvarnabhumi Airport 144

4 Abound Bangkok 145

Muang Boran 150

Damnoen Saduak 151

Samut Songkhram 153

Nakhon Pathom 154

Phetchaburi 160

Kanchanaburi 162

Greater Kanchanaburi Province 166

Sangklaburi 168

Ayuithaya 169

Bang Pa-In 175

Lopburi 176

5 The Gulf Coast Beaches 179

Pattaya 186

Koh Samet 192

Chanthaburi 200

Koh Chang 200

Cha-am 206

Hua Hin 207

Takiab Beach 210

Chumphon 211

Surat Thani 212

Koh Samui 214

Side Trips from Koh Samui 226

6 Phuket and the Andaman Coast 235

Eating and Drinking Well in Southern Thailand 238

Phuket Town 245

Khao Pra Taew National Park 250

Mai Khao Beach 250

Nai Yang Beach 251

Nai Thon and Layan Beaches 251

Bang Thao Beach 252

Pansea, Surin, and Laem Singh Beaches 254

Kamala Beach 255

Patong 256

Karon Beach 258

Kata Beach 260

Nai Harn 261

Cape Yamu 262

Chalong 263

Phang Nga Bay National Marine Park 264

KohYao 267

Khao Lak 268

Similan Islands 271

Surin Islands 272

Krabi 272

Ao Nang 275

Nang Cape/Railay Beach 278

Koh Lanta 281

Koh Phi Phi 288

7 Chiang Mai 293

The Old City 300

Beyond the Old City 312

Greater Chiang Mai 324

Side Trips from Chiang Mai 329

8 Northern Thailand 337

Eating and Drinking Well in Northern Thailand 340

Nan 345

Phrae 349

Pai 350

Mae Hong Son 355

Khun Yuam 358

Mae Sariang 359

Chiang Dao 360

Doi Ang Khang 361

Tha Ton 363

Chiang Rai 364

Chiang Saen 379

Ban Sop Ruak 380

Chiang Khong 382

Sukhothai 383

Si Satchanalai 398

9 Cambodia 401

Phnom Penh 411

Tonle Bati 427

Phnom Chisor 430

Koh Dach 430

Udong 430

Kampong Cham 431

Kompong Thorn Ruins 432

Kratie 433

Ratanakiri Province 433

Battambang 435

Siem Reap 438

Tonle Sap 457

Kulen Mountain 459

Sihanoukville 460

Kampot 465

Kep 468

10 Laos 471

Vientiane 480

Nam Ngum Lake 491

Phao Khao Khouay 491

Plain of Jars 492

Vang Vieng 494

Luang Prabang 497

Tad Kouang Si Waterfall 511

Tad Sae Waterfall 514

Pak Ou Caves 514

Ban Meuang Ngoi 515

Luang Nam Tha 515

Meuang Sing 517

River Journey to Houay Xai 517

Phongsaly 520

Tha Khek 523

Savannakhet 524

Pakse 525

Bolaven Plateau 529

Tad Fane 530

Champasak 530

Si Phan Don and the 4,000 Islands 532

Index 534

About Out Writers 544

Fodor's Features

Coups & The King 39

The Grand Palace 90

Bangkok Street Food 115

Thai Markets 155

Thailand's Beaches 194

Silk-Making in Thailand 308

Thailand's Hill Tribes- 370

The Buddha In Thailand 384

Angkor 444

Map

Old City, Banglamphu, Thonburi, Dusit, and Northern Bangkok 82-83

Chinatown 100

Pathumwan and Sukhumvit 104-105

Silom, Sathorn, and Bang Rak 130-131

Day Trips from Bangkok 152

Kanchanaburi 163

Greater Kanchanaburi Province and Sangklaburi 167

Ayutthaya 172

Ayutthaya, Bang Pa-In, and Lopburi 175

The Eastern Gulf 186

Pattaya 188

Koh Chang 202

The Western Gulf 213

Koh Samui 216

Phuket 248

Andaman Coast 267

The Old City 302-303

Beyond the Old City 314-315

Greater Chiang Mai and Side Trips from Chiang Mai 324

Nan and Nearby 347

Mae Hong Son 357

Mae Hong Son Loop and the Road to Chiang Rai 358

Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle 365

Chiang Rai 366

Sukhothai and Nearby 394

Sukhothai Historical Park 397

Phnom Penh and Northern Cambodia 412

Phnom Penh 414

Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, and Southern Cambodia 439

Angkor Tempie Complex 442

Siem Reap 454

Vientiane 482

Vientiane and Nearby 491

Luang Prabang and Northern Laos 497

Luang Prabang 500

Southern Laos 522

Editorial Reviews

Fodor’s is pitched a few notches higher….aimed at a fairly discerning traveler with an appetite for background and the occasional surprise.” – New York Times

“The Fodor’s guides are notable for their ratings of sights, restaurants, shops, accommodations and attractions.” – Chicago Tribune

“In terms of comprehensiveness of coverage, the very accessible format, and the enthusiastic tone, this series remains one of the best on the market.” – Booklist

“Fodor’s super-informative guidebooks are known for accuracy and attention to detail.” – Sacramento Bee

“Fodor’s can help you plan the perfect adventure.” – Arizona Republic

From the Publisher