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PN Map Series
Overview
Although the PN Map Center has been producing various kinds of Thailand maps for many years, it is only a recent phenomenon that it started to produce really detailed road maps.
The new generation PN maps are rather unique in that they show names of small villages--transcribed both in English and Thai--as well as minor roads connecting these villages. This feature is especially beneficial for those who enjoy exploring the countryside on minor roads. An alternative is the Thailand Atlas (by Lotus Image) which shows even more small villages, but its price is rather prohibitive (750B), its size is rather unwieldy to carry, and it's utterly outdated in some areas. Thus a good reason to choose a PN map for exploring Thailand.
Regional PN maps are generally printed on glossy paper which is easy to tear apart along creases even after a single trip.
Recommendations
It is difficult to make general recommendations, as the lineup is rather incoherent.
If you mainly stick to highways (1-digit roads to 4-digit roads), the Highway Map (either atlas or folder) suffices. The folder version is handy to carry, but the topograhical background of the atlas looks so beautiful.
If you are an explorer, you will benefit from collecting all four titles of the "Political and Physical" series. Sub-regional and provincial PN maps provide even more details, but you should make sure that it's a new-generation PN map. Many old version PN maps with little details can still be found in bookstores.
PN maps are available at major "Thai" bookstores like the SE-ED Books. The Language Media Book Center (former DK Books) in Siam Square has a relatively large selection of PN maps.
Although the PN Map Center has been producing various kinds of Thailand maps for many years, it is only a recent phenomenon that it started to produce really detailed road maps.
The new generation PN maps are rather unique in that they show names of small villages--transcribed both in English and Thai--as well as minor roads connecting these villages. This feature is especially beneficial for those who enjoy exploring the countryside on minor roads. An alternative is the Thailand Atlas (by Lotus Image) which shows even more small villages, but its price is rather prohibitive (750B), its size is rather unwieldy to carry, and it's utterly outdated in some areas. Thus a good reason to choose a PN map for exploring Thailand.
Regional PN maps are generally printed on glossy paper which is easy to tear apart along creases even after a single trip.
PN Map (Southern Surin along the Cambodian border) |
Thailand Atlas (Reduced to match the scale. Click to enlarge.) |
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One thing you should bear in mind with PN maps is that the distance and direction shown on the map may not be as accurate as other GPS compatible maps like the Thailand Atlas. While other precisions maps are designed to be realistic of the actual geography, PN maps tend to be descriptive with arbitrary emphases and distortions.
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cf. Thailand Highway Map (by Roads Association of Thailand)  |
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Recommendations
It is difficult to make general recommendations, as the lineup is rather incoherent.
If you mainly stick to highways (1-digit roads to 4-digit roads), the Highway Map (either atlas or folder) suffices. The folder version is handy to carry, but the topograhical background of the atlas looks so beautiful.
If you are an explorer, you will benefit from collecting all four titles of the "Political and Physical" series. Sub-regional and provincial PN maps provide even more details, but you should make sure that it's a new-generation PN map. Many old version PN maps with little details can still be found in bookstores.
PN maps are available at major "Thai" bookstores like the SE-ED Books. The Language Media Book Center (former DK Books) in Siam Square has a relatively large selection of PN maps.