Shopping for MAPS of Bangkok and vicinity

[pakarang]

Der fellow members,

I have been in Thailand for only 12 years now and most of the maps I have in my car is really outdated with all the new developments in and around Bangkok.

My favorite map was made by NELLES Map but it too is very outdated.

Since there are still probably no number-1-map, I guess the best thing to do is to buy several kinds and use some information from each of them.

I just want to ask if there is any members that has a really strong recommendation towards one of them.

I really got to update my maps with new ones and they are after all pretty expensive. I'll be heading to Kinokunyia pretty soon.

Thanks for taking time on this rather silly question.

[nam phyyng]

Its not a silly question. I have several maps of BKK and they are all unsatisfactory in one way or another. Either not enough detail or different parts of the city shown separately but at different scales etc. Even Nancy Chandler's map is not that great, as the street names and other detail is not that clear. Has anyone seen a good quality map of BKK that is easy to use?

[Pailin]

I'm surprised Richard hasn't chimed in on this one! (he's a little map/road atlas obsessed!)

[Richard Barrow]

Yes, sorry I meant to post when I got home as I wanted to check on the precise name. But then forgot!



Anyway, a good (large) pocket size map book is Bangkok City Atlas by ThinkNet. You can buy in Se-ed for 250 baht. All maps by ThinkNet have all new roads and bridges marked with a dotted line far in advance so they are keeping on top of things.

I have a larger map book which is Bangkok and Vicinity. I find this one useful when I am doing day trips around Bangkok to neighbouring provinces. I cannot remember the publisher offhand.



I also now have Thailand Deluxe Atlas by ThinkNet. It is quite large and costs 550 baht. There isn't a perfect road map for Thailand yet but this one comes close. This one has 105 detailed maps of major cities. It also marks places (tourist attractions) which you won't find on other maps.

[pakarang]

Thanks for the tips... I dropped by Kinokunyia at Paragon last night after gym and found a brand new version of (yellow colored) Nelles Map that I liked and a Thai one which I don't remember the name of.

The blue book Richard mentioned was also there but the price kind of took me off. Maybe I'll have a second look based on your recommendations.

I have to admit though, I'm a devoted map-freak when it comes to Bangkok as well and I do understand map-makers hard job in keeping up with the pace of development in such a metropolitan but old city.

Some of the things that I find important to be included in a map are details such as:

- building names (condos, offices ... )
- soi names and numbers
- larger areas and entry/exit arrows at express ways

Anyhow, I will go back and check out those mentioned above. Thanks once again!

[Richard Barrow]

ThinkNet also has computer version which I find handy as you can search in Thai or English. Plus you can print out any section of the map you like with any details you like to be included. The small red book is a bestseller in Se-Ed.

[kay-gell]

A question I have, why do i see so few GPS devices in thailand??

[Richard Barrow]

A very good question. Maybe because there isn't any good maps out there.

[pakarang]

I noted that some of the maps now have "GPS positioned" printed on the front cover....

What does that mean... there are no coordinates to be taken out from the maps anyway... maybe, just that the proportions of the street is correct?

I got the blue book now, the new Nelles Map and another local one... Pretty happy about the choices so far. Now, only time will tell how accurate they are.

The funny thing is that Hotel Kempinski (behind Paragon) is already drawn in while Centara World Trade Hotel is only marked as planned....

[jeff_kwek]

Thanks for the tips... I dropped by Kinokunyia at Paragon last night after gym and found a brand new version of (yellow colored) Nelles Map that I liked and a Thai one which I don't remember the name of.

Is it the only bookshop available in Bangkok? I hardly find any bookshop around Bangkok. Can i know the exact location of Kinokunyia? Which floor is it?
Do you know any bookshop near Pratunam area?
Thanks