Product Description

Described by top guidebooks and travel writers as "the best tourist map of Bangkok", "an indispensable guide" and "the very best resource", Nancy Chandler's colorful, handlettered Map of Bangkok (now in its 23nd edition) includes detailed area maps of not just Central Bangkok but also Greater Bangkok, the Central Shopping Area, Chatuchak Weekend Market, Chinatown, the backpacker's haven of Khao San and the more upmarket expatriate haven of Sukhumvit area, with clear indications of where each BTS skytrain station and MRT subway station is. The map is accompanied by a 72 page pocketbook size index including secrets rarely shared with visitors (for example, shops and sales supporting good causes, and dining tips "For the Sweet Tooth"). Bars are categorized by their crowds for those who want to befriend fun Thais, hang out with other travelers, meet expatriates, listen to live music, test the local brew pubs, support their rugby team at a sports bar, go pub crawling, or just enjoy a sunset drink atop a quiet riverside guesthouse. Restaurant listings include Nancy's favorites and contact details. Other listings include cooking classes, cinemas, hobbies, spas, sports, supermarkets, etc.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #759604 in Books
• Published on: 2005-02-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 2 pages

Review
A unique, hand-drawn chart of the city's quirks, shops, stalls and under-noticed attractions -- Time Out Bangkok, 2003

Oft-imitated and never equaled...contains a whole host of information -- Lonely Planet Thailand, 2003

One of Bangkok's best-selling city guides -- TravelAge West Magazine, September 2004

About the Author
American artist Nancy Chandler has been creating unique maps, cards and gifts celebrating life in Thailand since she moved there in the late 1960s with her young family. A native of San Francisco, her unique style is characterized by the use of bright colors, humourous comments and witty insights, and the ability to make sense out of chaos when creating detailed market maps. She now spends much of each year in the US with her youngest daughter, Kim, a high functioning Down Syndrome young lady (and an artist as well). Nancy does however return to Thailand annually on research trips and to visit friends and family, including her two other daughters, Nima (now her business partner and responsible for much of the footwork involved in updating Nancy's maps) and Siri, a teacher at an international school in Bangkok.

Customer Reviews

Not very good at all...
I should preface this review by saying I am a cartographer (mapmaker) by profession and perhaps I am fussier about my maps than most. I should also add that I haven't gotten to Bangkok yet so I can't comment on the accuracy of the map. I ordered this map without seeing it first.

The pluses - it is a nice concise map. Different areas of the city are shown in different sections. It also comes with a booklet that organizes information by topic and gives you references to find things on the map.

The minuses - Not all the streets are shown. A lot of information is on the map, too much I think. For example instead of labeling a museum Sampantawong Museum it says, "the small Sampantawong Museum (temporary - ask teaches to open if closed" IMHO that is too much information to put on a label for a building. Many things are similarly labeled with too much information. It makes it very difficult to find anything on the map. I am also less than pleased by the lack of grid lines on the map. Areas are divided by the fold lines on the maps but maps tend to get folded irregularily in use. Most of the lettering is in a handwritten style font which is pretty and artistic but not easy to read. At one point I was looking for a particular store on the map which I knew was in Chinatown. It took me almost 5 minutes to find it because of all the clutter. I can't imagine what it will be like on the streets of Bangkok. By the way not all the streets have streetnames. She is also not entirely consistent in her choice of color codes and symbology.

Some of the notes on the map are odd, to say the least. One note says, "Please do NOT order shark's fin or birds's nest soup" Huh? Ones environmental views shouldn't be on a map.

I would also put a street index on the map, a scale so you have some idea of distances, an insert that shows where suvarnabhumi international airport is in relationship to Bangkok, as well as other major locations off of the city map. I would also print it on sturdier paper. It is printed on shiny paper, like magazines are printed on and too thin. It tore very quickly.

I should also add that also included is a booklet that lists hotels, some streets, and other information. That helps in finding things because it will tell you something is at A8 for example although you still have the problem with the overly cluttered maps.

I am not sure what else is out there in the way of maps of Bangkok. It may be that this is the best available. I certainly hope not. I am not impressed by this map and would not recommend it at all. I don't want a work of art or a pleasing but less useful graphic. I want a map that is clear, concise, easy to read, well indexed and accurate. I hope I will find something better when I get to Bangkok.

Edited to add: I just returned from Bangkok, after a 10 day stay. We used this map and the booklet but found it difficult to use. The lack of grid lines, e.g. item x is in a7 and the use of fold lines instead is difficult. The areas are too big and it takes a while to find anything. The booklet is useful, but not as well organized as I'd like and needs a better index. I continue to dislike the handwritten labels, the wordiness on the map and capricious design. I also found the Chatuchak market information inaccurate in some cases.

You'll be lost in the Big Mango without it !
Nancy makes the madness of this Asian capitol manageable for everyone. Pair her map with a current Lonely Planet Guide and the heart of this wild, pulsating, gilded Kingdom is yours...

Wonderful and colorful map!
I am definitely glad we purchased this map of Bangkok before our trip. We used it help plan our itinerary and we used it frequently while in Bangkok. Nancy does a great job of telling local secrets and best options to choose from. It is very well done, up to date, very colorful, and I am 100% satisfied with the map. It is a little different than what I am used to, but it was a nice change. Thank you for the great product.