Comments on: Book review: Lonely Planet Thailand

By: Claire Litton

Claire Litton — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 07:32:25 +0000

@BackpackFoodie: Yeah, that’s kinda my hugest pet peeve about LP, that they pretend like if you’re reading an LP guidebook, you’re cool, savvy, hip, and somehow off the beaten path…whereas, in reality? Not so much. I’ve always had pretty good luck with their maps, but then, I often go places where you don’t really need maps, because there’s only one road, or what have you. Basically, ANY guidebook should be just that: a guide, not a bible. I take it for something to read on long bus trips (although I often find myself nodding off in the patronizing sections, as you mention), and because I like it better than any of the other guidebooks I’ve encountered so far, including Rough Guides. I’ve not ever seen Bradt Guides, but I’ll keep an eye out for them from now on.

By: The Backpack Foodie

The Backpack Foodie — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 11:30:18 +0000

Another point I’d like to raise about LP:

Despite being THE guidebook everybody knows and buys most of the time, they continue to try and promote the notion that LP readers are savvy and independent. They’ll talk about ‘undiscovered’ places, when in truth the places are discovered by definition when they’re found out by the LP.

The LP has been instrumental in turning places like Ubud from an unknown village into a tourist powerhouse. I had a chance to read one of the early LP guides to Bali, and the contrast to modern Ubud is striking. Yet when LP talks about modern Bali, they lament the fact tourists have ruined it for the independent traveler – conveniently ignoring their own key role in this. That’s terrible hypocrisy.

By: The Backpack Foodie

The Backpack Foodie — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 11:26:07 +0000

I wish a reviewer could point out the huge flaws in LP (and, to a lesser extent, in the competition, such as RG.)

- LP promotes a very slanted preference in travel. They like a certain style of accommodation and sight. They’ll easily diss or promote stuff based on personal preference, and as a consequence, the LP narrows the range of experience travelers end up looking for. The fact it’s written as an objective guidebook hides a LOT of editorial opinion. It’s become a running joke for my spouse and I: we make a point of going where the LP says it’s not worth the bother. Found amazing places this way.

- The LP maps are ATROCIOUS. The best thing to do is to ditch the guidebook map as soon as you find a local one. Bad labeling, frequent mistakes and very odd choices in breaking down the maps mean they’re mostly useless.

- The LP prose is terrible. Snarky, patronizing, and they try to be funny or clever in times when you just want the facts. I find the RG is a LOT less annoying; when I read LP, I just groan half the time.

- The less-visited places have outdated information. You might go to a hotel listed as ‘brand-new’ and find a three year-old dump.

All in all, I’ve come to avoid LP at all costs. I like Rough Guides better, but that’s not to say they’re perfect, just an alternative with the same fundamental flaws. I’ve read a few Bradt Guides in bookstores, and I’ve been really impressed by what I saw, including the fact that they are written by a single person whose bias is clearly labeled, and the absence of snark and cultural patronizing. I can’t wait to visit a country with a Bradt Guide to see how that works out.

By: Claire Litton

Claire Litton — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 03:23:32 +0000

@Paul: True, it’s not the ONLY one. I was exaggerating; obviously many tourists carry many other guidebooks. But Lonely Planet guides seem to be the most visible, at least among a very particular subset of people. Realistically speaking, you’re unlikely to see backpackers carrying a Let’s Go or Frommer’s. I’m not saying LP ruins popular sites; I’m saying it ruins less-popular sites by mentioning them as “out of the way jewels”…which then draws thousands of hip LP-users to the supposedly off-the-beaten-track destinations.

@Hugh: Why buy one? You can get (often) recent editions and only-slightly-out-of-date editions from the local library. Most libraries allow you to renew books online, which can extend a 3-week due-by date to a 6-week one.

By: Hugh

Hugh — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:56:07 +0000

@Paul Do you recommend any other guidebooks for Thailand? I’ve going for the first time in May and am considering buying the [expensive] LP, but would be open to other resources as well.

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:16:36 +0000

I agree with Neeraj, everywhere you go, you’ll see toursits with LP. But I would disagree with the statement that LP ruines travel experience. It’s OK to want to see a popular sight ( why the hell would I go all the way to India or Egypt and not visit the pyramids and Taj Mahal?).
And NO- LP is NOT the ONLY guidebook most people will carry.

By: Neeraj

Neeraj — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 01:30:18 +0000

The most funny and ridiculous thing happens when one gets to Khao San road in Bangkok – you see literally thousands of westerners with their little Lonely Planets. That’s when one realizes we’re just “one of the sheep”. lol