National Geographic Traveler: Thailand, 4th Edition

The tour through this quixotic country begins in Thailand's noisy and vibrant capital, Bangkok, with visits to Wat Po and other famous temples. It continues into the countryside, exploring Kanchanaburi, site of the bridge over the River Kwai; the ancient capitals of Ayuthaya and Sukhothai; and national parks alive with monkeys and elephants. The charming city of Chiang Mai awaits in the northern mountains—from there wilderness treks depart for remote hill-tribe villages. Thailand is famous for its beaches, and you'll find all of the best ones here: Phuket and Koh Samui, as well as many others popular with Thais. Author Phil Macdonald makes sure you see all of the famous sights, and lesser-known ones as well. Self-guided tours with maps include a riverside walk in Bangkok and a boat trip down the Chao Phraya River. Special features include a guided boat trip down the Chao Phraya River and a riverside walk in Bangkok. Experiential sidebars abound, including one on staying overnight with a hill-tribe family, another on meditating with monks in Buddhist temples throughout Thailand, and another on culinary courses to learn how to make exquisite Thai dishes. A hefty Travelwise section includes information on how to get there and how to get around, as well as author-picked hotels and restaurants.

Aimed at active travelers who want authentic, enriching, cultural experiences and expert advice from a trustworthy source, National Geographic Travelers provide ways for people to experience a place rather than just visit, and give the true feel of each destination not easily found online.

PHIL MACDONALD, who wrote the 1st edition and updated the 2nd edition, moved to Hong Kong from Sydney in 1989 to continue his adventures in journalism that began eight years earlier in the west coast city of Perth. He worked for theHong Kong Standard and South China Morning Post for a number of years before settling—by way of Laos and Singapore—in Phuket, Thailand. He now lives in Bangkok working as a freelance journalist and editor, contributing to a number of regional publications. His interests include Southeast Asian politics and history, and the beaches of Southern Thailand.

TREVOR RANGES updated and wrote new features and sidebars for the 3rd and 4th editions. Ranges is a Bangkok-based travel writer whose work includes serving as principal writer for www.tourismthailand.com, the official website of the Tourism Authority of Thailand; contributing to National Geographic Traveler magazine; and writing the National Geographic Traveler: Cambodia guidebook.