Rating: 
Summary: Much Room for Improvement
Review: With the wealth of free information available on the web at sites like pattayaland.com and others, I expected much more for my money. I don't fly half way around the world for nothing. When I buy a guide book, I'm looking for information that will be useful to me on my trip. I don't want a Thai history or sociology book.
Rating: 
Summary: Lonely Planet fan
Review: Re: other reviewers' comments on Pattaya: Thanks, Joe, for NOT dwelling on that tourist trap. ANY OTHER brochure, website, or travel agent offers equal information. Lonely Planet's info given is more than plenty to fully enjoy R&R in Pattaya. If you want to venture to the true beauty of Thailand, true land of smiles, than use LP as a terrific reference. If you want someone else to plan your whole trip and be part of a tour group, then call a travel agent or buy the "other" books. Re: 7th edition: "Loi Krathong" (Festival of Lights - last full moon in November) needs more detailed information for more cities in Thailand and the festival itself. For me, this was THE festival of the year - great to observe pre-celebration, too. The flowers, floats, parades, food, atmosphere... This was one of my highlights of the trip. (We spent pre-festivities in Bangkok; actual festival in Ayuthaya). Joe only briefly mentions that it's "best to celebrate in the North." Don't let this discourage you from celebrating it elsewhere in Thailand. Having traveled with various guide books, nothing so far beats the Lonely Planet guide books. But you must keep in mind as a user - all recommendations are merely recommendations. Investigate comments, take in the facts. (The comments are usually funny and helpful anyway). The cultural background information, history, and other side notes help make the difference to buy Lonely Planet instead of the others. Joe Cummings' LP books on Thailand, Bangkok & the phrasebook were superb. I liked his insight. LP helps you be a traveler, not just a tourist. (Other LP books used: Israel, Turkey, Greece, Western Europe, Baltics, Asia, and Hong Kong. They've all been worth their weight and size). If you can take your own luggage off the baggage carousel, you must use Lonely Planet.
Rating:
Summary: Still the one
Review: Of all the guides out there this is the one to get. Yes, they get a little preachy but nothing over the top (ala Blue Guide) and I always find the history, food, culture and dangers/annoyances sections a help - or at least decent reading on the plane. The cost info./ hotel recommendations are great, hit all budget levels and the directions are usually right on. I can't believe Fodor's is still in business. PS: I would pass on the phrase book. (or buy a used copy once you are there.)
Rating:
Summary: Only 12 pages devoted to Pattaya
Review: Another great book from the Lonely Planet collection. Thank God only twelves pages were devoted to Pattaya. Why travel halfway around the world to experience pollution, greed, and rampant corruption. I have spent many weekends in Pattaya as a young boy and the Pattaya I remember only exist in my mind.
Rating:
Summary: a guide for ALL of Thailand
Review: This guide--like previous Lonely Planet guides to Thailand--offers the full range of Thailand to the potential tourist. Indeed the famous R&R resort city of Pattaya receives only 12 pages, but the fact that one-third of visitors to Thailand go there anyway means that the glitzy notoriety of Pattaya's "entertainments" are probably already well-known enough abroad. Cummings' book is directed to a different audience. For those who do not wish to read about the political or social problems involved with certain kinds of (shall I say "predatory"?) tourism, there are other guides to Thailand. But for those who have traveled to Thailand and elsewhere before with Lonely Planet guide in hand and have appreciated the careful attention these book pay to parts of the country and aspects of the culture that might otherwise be missed, we can rejoice that Cummings has spent many, many pages turning our eyes toward the beautiful yet neglected or underappreciated parts of Thailand, all the while reminding us of the potential for abuse that is may be latent in even the gentlest of tourists. Cummings book is simply not designed for the tourist who deplanes in Bangkok already drooling after the "delights" available in some neon-illuminated corners of this othewise beautiful, hospitable country filled with many, many thoughtful, kind, and decent people. Those tourists who would dismiss Cummings' commentary generally don't need a guidebook anyway. For them, everything they want out of Thailand will be offered in all its sleazy glory as soon as the touts see the glint in their eyes and their tongues hanging out. The third copy I have purchased of Cummings' thoughtful book will be in my hand this January when I get to Thailand. Previous editions have guided me and my family on the most memorable (and inexpensive) trips we have ever taken. This book makes it possible to enjoy Thailand with a fullness and richness that other guides can't match.
Rating: 
Summary: Joe should spend a little more time in Pattaya
Review: Not enough written about Pattaya in his book. Our website gets a lot of hits every day. Many people are interested in Pattaya yet very little is written. Please do your readers a justice and write a little more next time. Thanks
Rating:
Summary: Only 12 pages on Pattaya in a 1000 page book???
Review: I was truly disappointed in this book. While it contains over 1000 pages, Pattaya gets a mere 12 of them. The author states that a third of all visitors to Thailand go to Pattaya. If that is the case, much more of the book should have been devoted to it.
Rating: 
Summary: All that you need
Review: Lonely Planet's Thailand text is as good as any, and in many ways stands out from the majority of other travel publications on Thailand. Cummings' environmental advice and recommendations come as a breath of fresh air in this world of selfish package tourism that we live in. To criticise him for shining light on important social, political and economic issues relevant to Thailand is both irresponsible and ridiculous. I don't know what kind of world the reader from Japan lives in but in mine these issues are extremely important. It is attitudes like the one contained in this person's commentary that have resulted in much of the abuse of Thailand's natural environment that has occured in recent years (ie. the ruin of Ko Phi Phi). Buy this book and go to Thailand informed. Cummings' work has nothing to do with political correctness and everything to do with awareness. The simple fact is that if every traveller to Thailand carried this book the country would be a more enjoyable place to visit. Wake up.
Rating:
Summary: Very helpful in a small package
Review: I thought this book was excellent. I liked the way I could locate districts in Bangkok, and I did value the cultural background. It was also street savy. One day I was approached by a scam artist and he presented the exact jewelry con that was detailed in the book. I highly reccomend it. Much better than Fodor's.
Rating: 
Summary: okay, but too preachy
Review: When I buy a travel book I am not interested in sociological studies about the status of women in a given country. Joe is just too politically correct, it is irritating to have someone bemoan the status of women in Thailand, did Joe not see any crippled male beggards, I did..its a poor country, life is not easy for either sex. Period. I think the lonely planet people are starting to lose track of their business, its supposed to be guidebook not a lecture. I will pass on the lonely planet book and find another guidebook for my next destination, one that that does not include a lecture in politically correct bozo opinions.
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