Mapping Phuket

[ovenman]

A head's up to anybody with an interest in maps: ThinkNet has just released a CD-ROM based map of Phuket province. There is both a Thai and an English version available. I picked up the Thai version today at a Se-Ed Bookstore for 259 baht.

If you are not familiar with the other ThinkNet CD maps (Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Nayok), they pretty much cover all the roads in a province down to the soi level. They also label all of the places of interest and have a feature where you can set the level of such labeling. For example, you can have the map software show the locations of all the Shell and Jet petrol stations but exclude all other brands.

Anyway, no affiliation at my end with ThinkNet. It's just a cool product and a steal at that price. The OvenMan sez check it out...

[RDN]

.... The OvenMan sez check it out...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for the tip - I've already got their Thailand CD (750 baht) - so I'll check this one out tomorrow!

[ovenman]

I've already got their Thailand CD (750 baht)

I haven't seen their all-Thailand map (the ThinkNet products don't seem to be as widely distributed as one might expect). What level of detail does it provide?

[RDN]

OK, here are some pictures of Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket:

You have to play with the detail level and font size to get clear pictures, but these maps should get you to the tambon and ban that you want. This program doesn't have a road name or soi name 'level of detail', but it does have major roads clearly numbered. It should get you to within a kilometre of wherever you want to go.

[ovenman]

This program doesn't have a road name or soi name 'level of detail', but it does have major roads clearly numbered.

The level of detail on the ThinkNet provincial maps is fantastic. I am hoping they'll do one for Chiang Mai province but thus far it appears that they are sticking to the smaller provinces (as in square kilometers, not population). Makes sense, less area to map.

[RDN]

... There is both a Thai and an English version available.  I picked up the Thai version today at a Se-Ed Bookstore for 259 baht. ...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

OK! Just got the Thai/English version for 299 baht at SE-ED in Big C, ground floor, Phuket.

Wow! What detail! It's even got the soi and the dirt track off the soi where I live! Excellent map.

AND you get a very good paper map too, which is the best paper map I've seen of Phuket. Excellent value for money - recommend to everyone. I'll get the Bangkok CD too if I can find it: http://www.thinknet.co.th/

[ovenman]

I'll get the Bangkok CD too if I can find it:

SE-ED is the only place where I have seen the ThinkNet products stocked. The Carrefour Chiang Mai branch seems to have just about everthing, but I didn't see that comprehensive Thailand map you have. You might want to check if the Phuket Big C branch can order you a copy of the Bangkok map. My last year's edition of Bangkok was even cheaper than the Phuket map, it was a steal at 159 baht! I believe the new edition is slightly more expensive but it's still worth every satang.

The only thing I don't like about the ThinkNet map engine is that I would like the map to "move" a bit more when using the Pan function. If you figure out a way this can be done, I'd be much obliged to hear tell of such a method.

[RDN]

.... I would like the map to "move" a bit more when using the Pan function.  If you figure out a way this can be done, I'd be much obliged to hear tell of such a method. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I can only see two ways of doing this:

1. Click on "Pan" and use the hand cursor to grab the page and move it by left clicking and dragging.

2. Move the hand cursor to an edge or corner of the screen and a blue coloured direction indicator appears (N, S, SE, SW, etc) depending where you are. Left click and the map will be redrawn having moved a little bit in that direction.

I prefer to grab the image and move it where I want .

[ovenman]

I can only see two ways of doing this:

Thanks, I was doing the second method and didn't realize that you could do the first. Dragging the map is much much better although their redraw method is a little clunky. I'd rather deal with that effect visually though than have to click the map's edge multiple times to get it to move where I want.

[RDN]

I can only see two ways of doing this:

Thanks, I was doing the second method and didn't realize that you could do the first. Dragging the map is much much better although their redraw method is a little clunky. I'd rather deal with that effect visually though than have to click the map's edge multiple times to get it to move where I want.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I had a feeling that's what you were doing I also have an old Microsoft AutoRoute and it operates similarly to the Thinknet software, but much more smoothly.

I have also wanted to get an up to date version of AutoRoute, but couldn't get it anywhere in Pantip. I've searched all the usual - and unusual - shops there, to no avail. Came away with some other stuff, though

[ovenman]

AND you get a very good paper map too, which is the best paper map I've seen of Phuket.

I just got around to examining the Phuket sheet map that comes with the ThinkNet set. You're right, this is far more detailed a sheet map of the province than I have ever seen before. It even leaves the Berndtson & Berndtson map in the dust and the B & B map is pretty darn good.

[AsiaWolfie]

THINKNET's products are one of the best and innovative products available in the Kingdom. particularly their BKK map is just amazing and very accurate. I hope all Farang will buy their original, licensed CDs which are an excellent value for money, and not copy it illegally just to save the 299 Baht. That would be very poor.... too bad, their distribution system is not of the same quality as indeed one can only find their products at SE-ED so far......

[ovenman]

too bad, their distribution system is not of the same quality as indeed one can only find their products at SE-ED so far......

I've seen ThinkNet maps elsewhere since I started this thread but you're right, their distribution still isn't all it could be. I'm still hoping for a ThinkNet map of Chiang Mai province.

[Galong]

A head's up to anybody with an interest in maps: ThinkNet has just released a CD-ROM based map of Phuket province. There is both a Thai and an English version available. I picked up the Thai version today at a Se-Ed Bookstore for 259 baht.

If you are not familiar with the other ThinkNet CD maps (Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Nayok), they pretty much cover all the roads in a province down to the soi level. They also label all of the places of interest and have a feature where you can set the level of such labeling. For example, you can have the map software show the locations of all the Shell and Jet petrol stations but exclude all other brands.

Anyway, no affiliation at my end with ThinkNet. It's just a cool product and a steal at that price. The OvenMan sez check it out...

This is just what I've been looking for! Thanks Ovenman!!

Do you know if Asia Books or any of the bookstores in Phuket sell these CDs?

[peterjackson]

Hey Sunem

Checked out your website, the Patong map was very helpful. Gave me some great perspective on the location of several hotels I was looking at, in relation to some landmarks I already knew and the proximity to the beach.

Nothing worse than reading a hotel profile, where is states only 5 mins. from beach, but they omit to mention that it was measured using a Lear Jet as the transport medium....

Keep up the great work, you have made available a great site.

Regards

Peter

[jdinasia]

nice Sunem ... can see exactly where the house i rented is

sure wish Google earth would detail their Phuket beach area maps

[sunem]

Yep!

Can only agree!

Google Earht Should be a great help for my mapping!

Just look at Kathu at the other side of the mountins of Patong! With

those pictures I shoulden't have to go by motorbike for the

fieldwork! I could sit at home!

Lets hope for better sattelite-pictures in the future. They updatet them

now and then when there is better relesed!

/sunem

[sunem]

When we talk about it!

Google Earth HAVE updated their photos!

Not over Phuket, but other parts of Thailand (and Laos)

But it seems like they have "deletet" Phi Phi islands!?

Or I'm blind??

/sunem

[Jai Yen Yen]

When we talk about it!

Google Earth HAVE updated their photos!

Not over Phuket, but other parts of Thailand (and Laos)

But it seems like they have "deletet" Phi Phi islands!?

Or I'm blind??

/sunem

No, you are right! If you turn on "Borders" you can get the outline of Ko Phi Phi Don, but the detail has gone. I know the tsunami hit Phi Phi pretty hard, but that's no reason for Google to delete what detail they had from the database.