"Whenever I travel, I always use Lonely Planet Thailand, written by Joe Cummings. It is the best guide book out on the market. I often see people carrying Joe's book in Bangkok and around Thailand.

"I met Joe and his wife Lynne when they came to stay at our school in Samut Prakan (www.Paknam.com). I showed Joe around our province so that he could update his guidebook. He kindly gave me a copy of his Thailand and Bangkok guidebooks which I use a lot. If you are interested to read more about Joe, then please visit his web site at www.JoeCummings.com. He is a fascinating person. Although I spoke English to him all the time, I was surprised that he speaks Thai very well. Most foreigners in Thailand find Thai very difficult. He also knows a lot about Thailand and cares about the environment which is important. The following are highlights of Thailand chosen by Joe for his guidebook. They are used here with his permission."

- Panrit Daoruang (senior webmaster)

BANGKOK

Wat Phra Kaew - exquisite Emerald Buddha, colourful mosaics and glittering spires.
National Museum - display of Thailand's sculptural and decorative arts.
Wat Arun - views of Bangkok and the Chao Phraya River.
Vimanmek Teak Mansion - one of the world's largest golden teak buildings.
Chalermkrung Royal Theatre - khon performances of dancer-drama
Boat Trip - along Bangkok's huge canal system
Wat Pho - housing Thailand's largest reclining Buddha
Muay Thai - bouts at Lumphini and Ratchadamnoen stadiums
Chinese & Indian market districts - walking tour of the temples, bazaars, shop houses and alleys

CENTRAL THAILAND

Ayuttaya Historical Park - world heritage listed ruins of a former royal capital
Koh Samet, Pattaya, Cha-am & Hua Hin - popular beach resorts close to Bangkok
Damnoen Saduak & Samut Songkhran - floating markets and coconut plantations
Kanchanaburi - WWII monuments at the River Khwae Bridge and Hellfire Pass
Koh Chang National Marine Park - remote islands offering rain forest tracts, waterfalls, coastal walks, diving and coral reefs
Three Pagodas Pass - frontier outpost town
Trat & Aranya Prathet - gem trading on the Cambodian border

SOUTHERN THAILAND

Koh Surin & Koh Similan - national marine park with great coral colonies
Khao Sok National Park - craggy limestone cliffs and home to the Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world
Koh Samui or Phuket - great for enjoying watersports
Nakhon Si Thammarat - watch life-size shadow puppets being made
Krabi Province - experience some of Asia's hottest rock-climbing spots
Ang Thong National Marine Park - take a kayaking tour through an archipelago dotted with small islands and sandy beaches
Than Bokkharani National Park - discover the beautiful emerald-green waters flowing into waterfalls
Hat Jao Mai National Park - spot the endangered sea cows (dugongs)

NORTHEASTERN THAILAND

Phanom Rung & Prasat Hin Phimai - impressive Angkor ruins
Nakhon Phanom - fine views of Isaan countryside
Nakhon Ratchasima - dotted with traditional cotton and silk-weaving towns
Khao Yai National Park - ASEAN National Heritage Site with pristine monsoon forests
Ban Chiang & Ban Prasat - important Bronze Age archaeological sites

NORTHERN THAILAND

Sukhothai & Si Satchanalai-Chaliang Historical Parks - World Heritage sites containing the finest collection of monuments to Thailand's "golden age"
Chiang Mai - vibrant Northern capital with 300 temples and celebrated arts and crafts
Doi Inthanon National Park - home to 400 bird species and featuring Thailand's tallest peak
Mae Hong Sorn - crossroads province with dense forests, trekking rafting
Nan - rural province with fertile river valleys and Thai Lu communities
Border crossing - trips to Myanmar's historic Kengtung with crumbling Buddhas and colonial architecture
Tham Lot & Tham Nang Lang - lime-stone cave