Nancy Chandler's Map of Bangkok, 26th Edition Map – August 27, 2012

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.

I ordered a copy of Groovy Maps as well as one of Nancy Chandler's maps. The Groovy map provides useful detailed information in a concise easy to read format. It is first of all a map as most people are familiar with them. Nancy's map looks like it should be framed in a cheap frame and hung on the wall of a hostel. Yes, it has a map with just about every place in Bangkok listed on it even if you are looking for an Office Supply store. It is absolutely overwhelming for the casual tourist. That said I do not regret purchasing this item as I did find it useful and the accompanying booklet provided some tips, just be aware that this is probably best purchased well in advance to make notes about places you wish to see on your visit but I would purchase another tourist map (personally I like the one by Groovy Maps and I have no affiliation) for use getting around during your trip.

For my first trip to Bangkok, I researched like mad and kept coming across travel references to this map. Although they are easy to find in Bangkok (including the Peninsula Hotel's gift shop, for cheaper no less!) I wanted my copy before my trip so I could look over it.During our trip, we relied on this for everything... from restaurants, spas to shopping! It was very easy to use and once you understand the key (read the book!) the transportation options are very handy (ie, whether to use river boat vs metro vs taxi vs walking). It was also easy enough to fold over to stick into your pocket.The business address, hours and costs in the review makes it so handy.Whether it's your first trip or 10th, I think this map would be an asset to Bangkok travelers!

What a fun map! I'm planning a trip to Bangkok and thought this map would be helpful. I was able to look at this map and find the hotel where I'll be staying and all the places to shop and eat and sight see that are within walking distance. The directory that comes with the map is broken down into categories: accommodation, sightseeing, shopping-general, shopping-things Thai, shopping-personal, dining, entertainment, living, sports, and transportation. It's almost like having my own personal guide that is guiding me through Bangkok and filling me in on all the local secrets. Why can't all maps be like this one?

I like this map because it is very clear and goes into great detail. In making plans for my upcoming trip I keep coming across different street names and points of reference on different maps, and using this guide I have a touchstone to cross check other maps with. I was just a little disappointed that there wasn't any mention of walking tours, and walking is discouraged in this map. If I was worried about walking around where there might be poor air quality I wouldn't be going to Bangkok in the first place.

Wonderful travel guide on a map. Sad to see her retire. Nancy passed away and her daughter ran it after but now retired. Too bad someone does not keep it going.

I really wanted to like this map. I LOVE maps...but I need to be honest here, this is NOT a map. It's like a massive doodle sketch that someone would make on the cover of their notebook on the flight home from Bangkok. There are some little (very little) nuggets of information scattered across the thing, but nothing really of value to help you navigate the large, energy-filled city that is Bangkok. It really is like someone just doodled the things they remembered, didn't include anything they couldn't recall very well, and never intended it to be an actual GUIDE to anyone traveling there for the first time.I purchased this (and one for Chiang Mai) for a recent trip to Thailand, and after opening it several times trying to get my bearings or make any sense of it, I ditched it for 2 alternatives that work perfectly together: Thailand travel blogs and the DK Eyewitness Top 10 Travel guide to Thailand. Hands down, a much better investment. Happy travels!

Bangkok taxi drivers are not like London taxi drivers. They do not know their way around, they cannot speak English or read a map, not that they have one and forget about sat navs. I discovered this at my cost when I picked up a cab and it was only when I saw signs pointing to the airport when I knew I wanted to be the other side of town that I stopped the taxi, climbed into the front seat, got out my Nancy Chandler's Map and guided the driver back to my hotel. After that I never let the map out of my sight and invaluable it proved to be as did the guide to Chiang Rai.The little guide books that go with the map are useful too especially with phone numbers to book restaurants.

Not good value for the amount paid. It is a map (both sides) on good waxed paper but very confused and confusing. I found the districts hard to find and it needs a section map of the railway systems. The market map is good (that is if you want to go to a market that sells wild animals as pets). The section on the river ferries is good. I did not like the separate directory as it means that you have to have both in your hands to find what you want. I know Bangkok a little and wanted a tourist map but was dissappointed with this one.

This map is really really good. There is so much information on it, it's like having a map together with 'guide book' information all in one. It is printed on what appears to be really durable plastic so I think it will withstand the many times I will be folding and refolding it.I definitely recommend this. Make sure you get it early because there is loads of stuff to digest, makes for interesting reading.

Highly recommend for detail and overall accuracy. It is a bit pricey compared to others available but I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Nancy Chandler Map. I bought this one as well as the map of Chiang Mai. I bought online through Amazon but found both at Bangkok airport for about £4 each so if you can wait - buy them there.

A beautiful gem of a map packed with interesting places to visit in the exciting city of Bangkok. The amount of writing can jar from the maps effectiveness as a map at times but is so lovingly and quirkily done it is hard to hold this against it