Ultimate map resource guide of Bangkok

There are a lot of great map resources for Bangkok these days. Let's have a look at some of the best map resources for checking out Bangkok.

Satellite imagery maps

Google Maps - The clear winner, although sometimes annoying because place names only in Thai.


Windows Live - Less resolution than Google on satellite imagery. Less place names.


Yahoo Maps - Same satellite data as Windows Live. Terrible road view coverage.


Some great Google Maps overlays:

• Wikimapia.org - A wiki for places on a map. Many places (many in Thai) are described in Bangkok, and you can add your own.
• Panoramio - Users upload photo's and place them around Bangkok. Great to if you want to see what stuff really looks like.
• PanoramicEarth.com - Find full panoramic photos of Bangkok.
• Bangkok Recorder - An overlay of around 100 popular tourist spots, restaurants and hotels.

Other resources

Thaiways - Thaiways publishes some good paper based maps. Some of their specialist maps include Metro & Skytrain, Sukumvit, and Rattanakosin Island.

For nightlife, check out these maps with many bars, pubs and massage:

• New Petchburi Road Massage Parlors Map
• Ratchapisek Road Massage Parlors Map
• Sukhumvit Area Map
• Soi Cowboy Area Map

If you really want to get into it, the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority Department of City Planning has some map data, but mostly in Thai.

If you are using Google Earth, you're going to need these helpful overlays. If you are curious NASA WorldWind is a similar product (.Net required).

If you have Google Earth, check out these KMZ files:

1. Thailand Placemarks 7.2
   
2. 40 Bangkok Spots
   
3. Subway and Sky Train
   

Fat kids in Thailand, what a surprise.

10 years ago the multi - national chains of KFC, McDonalds, and Pizza Hut began their march across the Kingdom of Thailand in a move that most of thought was modernization and progress.

10 year later The Nation brings us this story:

Thailand ranks among countries with the world's fastest-growing number of overweight children, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The results of eating fast food need no scientific study and are clearly visible to the naked eye. Eating fast food makes you fat.

Now I have never been one to advocate hating people, but as is obvious by the growing problem, courteous suggestions won't solve this problem. It's time for us to say loud and proud:

I hate fat people

Sounds bad to say.. but think about it for a second. If you are overweight and your diet has been ruined by eating fast or junk food, you are putting money in the pockets of ugly multi-national corporations. You are not helping farmers or organic growers, instead you support destruction of rainforest's, global warming and other social ills. As harsh as it may sound, hating fat people will only lead to a growing awareness of the problem - and that can only be good.

There are some very valid reasons why hating fat people movement is good:

1. Fat people support greedy corporations by eating their low quality food.
2. Fat people have a bigger environmental footprint and do more damage to the earth.
3. Fat people have a higher health care cost.
4. Fat people cost more to transport, thus more greenhouse gas emissions.
5. Fat people are less productive members of society.

Ponytail Bandit Arrested in Thailand, Husband still at large

Mr. Rose Apple Nose - Worlds Best Persons

MSNBC gives credit to Mr. Samak "Rose Apple Nose" Sundaravej.

Have you heard Samak Sundaravej speak?

Words to live by:
"..now we have a good guy to see for the, for the... for any kind of the thing, but anyhow..."

Open hat artist at jj market.

From Yala, a street activist collects donations for the victims of southern violence.

Onion coverage of Takraw

Ngyuen Thi Buch Thuy: 'Just Give Me The Damn Sepak Takraw Ball'

Lines at Bangkok airport as bad as ever.

Plan an extra 30-45 mins to get thru immigration when coming to the los.