I am sorry if I sound very naive.

But aren’t the free Google Maps and Navigation apps available in today's Android Smartphones of any use to get from point A to B?

Yes, with some limitations.

1.) There is limited off-line storage of maps so you would need to pre-cache some map areas and/or have a data connection: WiFi, 2G, 3G.

2.) Navigation may not be available for Thailand, but it can be hacked.

Where the Google offline maps are available?

When I'm trying to download the offline maps in Phuket, the application says in red: Offline maps is not available in selected area.

I've been using google Maps for a year and do NOT recommend it. Very limited functionality and accuracy where I live (CM) so will be worse in countryside.

Harming Nuvi is the way to go. Buy used on eBay.

Harming Nuvi is the way to go. Buy used on eBay.

But, where did you get the maps for Thailand?

Harming Nuvi is the way to go. Buy used on eBay.

But, where did you get the maps for Thailand?

Garmin Nuvi

Maps by ESRI who have an office on Sathorn

Gadget Trend also

Or can get online via download legally although those that know what they're doing and what to look for seem to be able to get the latest maps free.

Sent from Android, please excuse errors in type or judgement.

I have been using google maps in the country side.It works fine for me.

Recently while in the US, i played with Google maps and was favorably impressed. They were quite good. Unfortunately that is not the case for Thailand. A of of detail is missing and you often get a message the you can't get from point A to point B.

Nokia recently updated their Thailand map and it appears to be very detailed and accurate. I tried to update my Nokia phone and apparently the phone is too old. (Map is not available for your phone) You can see the Nokia map on your computer. The older Nokia Thailand map stinks.

In any case you won't find a better map than the (ESRI) TSM Thailand. If someone figures out how to get that map working on a smart phone, then you would have something. Other than the Nokia map, the ones I have tried and looked at stink.

Just an Android - Google Maps update:

I am pretty sure Navigation (turn-by-turn directions, with spoken assistance) for Google Maps is still "unavailable" for Thailand, and many other countries.

I am pretty sure map caching, ( 20 mile by 20 mile squares ) has been disabled in more current releases of Google Maps, even though it was available in earlier versions.

It is possible to hack Navigation and caching.

I am using a new Jellybean baseband on my SGS2 which provides just amazing GPS performance, I lock on 10 - 16 satellites in less than 15 seconds, equal to, or better, than my Garmin nuvi. I have an unlimited mobile data package to map caching is not a requirement for me.

No problems with map detail, but then I am rarely in remote areas.

Google Earth (Android) can be sideloaded.

Streetview is available for those portions of Thailand which have been surveyed, this can be very handy for finding specific locations.

lomatopo

Can you tell us how to hack / patch google maps for enabling turn by turn navigation (online or offline doesn't matter) for Thailand?

Used g maps on my trip bkk to Phuket and was accurate and very useful even in the most off beat places...

I just completed a longish trek, ~ 2,000 kilometers driving with both a Garmin nuvi (TSM 12.01) and my SGS2 using Google Maps with turn-by-turn Navigation (with re-routing and voice-assist) with a data connection. The SGS2 performed equal to, or better in most cases, than the nuvi. The nuvi does have better directions, albeit in Thai, re: lane assist, toll-booths (ka-ching) and POIs (although I get sick of the constant LPG dings). Where Streetview is available Google Maps is the clear winner.

I find the Google-maps sometimes pretty confusing.

Using them for well known A-to-B points isn't a problem, but finding restaurants, hotels or other "self-added" POI isn't evident.

Example: go to Google Maps and search for "Miracle Grand Hotel Bangkok". I get 4 locations.........which one is the right one?

I you want offline maps for Android you should try OsmAnd

(search at GoolePlay for it, sorry, because of forum spamfilter I can't post links yet)

It uses downloadable maps based on OpenStreetMap (free map of the world).

And have a lot of features including navigation, wikipedia POI layer, different online map layers, online tracking, etc.

And the best thing is - you can edit the map if you want. OpenStreetMap is editable like wikipedia.

I'm contributing to Samui map at OSM right now ) (hmm, i think OSM worth a separate topic here)

//Edit: Link to OsmAnd: https://play.google....C5vc21hbmQiXQ.. – Maestro

Edited January 3, 201313 yr by Maestro
Added link

Google maps sent me on a backroad tour of Isaan rice fields once on what was supposedly a "major highway".

try reading the road signs i find them prity helpfull

Not every foreigner is able to read Thai.

Most road signs here seem to be in both Thai and English?

Road signs here are as helpful as there are in many other countries, assuming you know the routing.

Google Maps with turn-by-turn Navigation (with re-routing and voice-assist) provides text directions in both English and Thai, while the spoken assistance is in English, with amusing pronunciations.

Most road signs here seem to be in both Thai and English?

Road signs here are as helpful as there are in many other countries, assuming you know the routing.

Google Maps with turn-by-turn Navigation (with re-routing and voice-assist) provides text directions in both English and Thai, while the spoken assistance is in English, with amusing pronunciations.

Meaning that Google map can use as GPS in Thailand too? With turn by turn? Must I need 3 G to route?

Most road signs here seem to be in both Thai and English?

Road signs here are as helpful as there are in many other countries, assuming you know the routing.

Google Maps with turn-by-turn Navigation (with re-routing and voice-assist) provides text directions in both English and Thai, while the spoken assistance is in English, with amusing pronunciations.

Meaning that Google map can use as GPS in Thailand too? With turn by turn? Must I need 3 G to route?

Yes. Google Maps is an online map system that downloads map date depending on where you are. If you don't like online navigation systems you might want to consider buying Sygic SEA, NAVV SEA, Garmin Thailand or Garmin TSM 12.40.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Most road signs here seem to be in both Thai and English?

Road signs here are as helpful as there are in many other countries, assuming you know the routing.

Google Maps with turn-by-turn Navigation (with re-routing and voice-assist) provides text directions in both English and Thai, while the spoken assistance is in English, with amusing pronunciations.

Meaning that Google map can use as GPS in Thailand too? With turn by turn? Must I need 3 G to route?

Yes. Google Maps is an online map system that downloads map date depending on where you are. If you don't like online navigation systems you might want to consider buying Sygic SEA, NAVV SEA, Garmin Thailand or Garmin TSM 12.40.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

thanks mate. those apps ain't comes cheap. Paying for 3G will definitely cheaper than purchasing those. IMO

Meaning that Google map can use as GPS in Thailand too? With turn by turn? Must I need 3 G to route?

Yes, No, unles you mod your phone, 2G (GSM data) is fine, IME.

I am pretty sure Navigation (turn-by-turn directions, with spoken assistance) for Google Maps is still "unavailable" for Thailand, and many other countries.

I am pretty sure map caching, ( 20 mile by 20 mile squares ) has been disabled in more current releases of Google Maps, even though it was available in earlier versions.

It is possible to hack Navigation and caching.

http://support.googl...n&answer=172221

Edited February 16, 201313 yr by lomatopo

Just installed Sygic Navigation 12.2.1 with full maps seems pretty good but no satellite view.

PM me if you want the link.....

I've used navigator in Belgium (download free on google play).

With app installed you can choose to use TomTom maps (paid) or open street maps, free.

You have a bunch of different voices you can download as well.

While in Belgium I found the open maps to work excellent, pretty much on par with the TomTom GPS unit my parents have.Tom Tom was better in things which were useless to people biking or driving a car, such as truck restricted area's, height restrictions etc. Tom Tom would definitely better for professional drivers.

Big city driving (Brussels, Antwerp) went flawless, no one way mistakes, you get warnings when hitting speed limitations (easy to do in Belgium when an invisible school can see a whole block limited to 30 km/h, on weekends as well!).

It did include most of our famous Belgian "Flitspalen or Flash Poles", the nickname given to the fixed speedtraps!

I haven't properly tried the Thai version, I can obviously see the limitations in not being able to simply give a street address and house number, but then again, this won't work on any GPS as far as I know. But there seem to be plenty landmarks, the usual atm positions, LPG and CNG petrol stations etc...

I'd say for the price it works well enough!

Navigator now works on Google Maps for Thailand

Sent from Android please excuse errors in type or judgement

Is off-line map caching supported, in Thailand, with this new version (7.0.1)?

With Google Maps open, in the 'Search Bar' type "ok maps", then search. Does the map download?

I am in the U.S. now, and of course that works here, just wondering if it works in Thailand? Supposedly Google will have a point release which makes off-line caching a bit more straight-forward, like long-press or double-click.

Edited July 11, 201312 yr by lomatopo

Navigator now works on Google Maps for Thailand

Sent from Android please excuse errors in type or judgement

Woo-hoo!!! But I can't see now how to cache the map, the whole app is completely redesigned and I can't figure it out (yet).

Edited July 11, 201312 yr by Shurup

Is off-line map caching supported, in Thailand, with this new version (7.0.1)?

With Google Maps open, in the 'Search Bar' type "ok maps", then search. Does the map download?

I am in the U.S. now, and of course that works here, just wondering if it works in Thailand? Supposedly Google will have a point release which makes off-line caching a bit more straight-forward, like long-press or double-click.

You beat me to it, I just tried and it started pre-caching the map, but I'm still in Singapore.

Just downloaded the 7.0.1 APK as it didn't show up in the Play store.. Navigation works pretty good so far but have do some more testing.

Offline map support seems not to work in Thailand atm, "ok maps" brings me to Oklahoma LOL

Nice upgrade though.

Is off-line map caching supported, in Thailand, with this new version (7.0.1)?

With Google Maps open, in the 'Search Bar' type "ok maps", then search. Does the map download?

I am in the U.S. now, and of course that works here, just wondering if it works in Thailand? Supposedly Google will have a point release which makes off-line caching a bit more straight-forward, like long-press or double-click.

Off-line map caching does not appear to be enabled for Thailand.

Lots of other features missing as well. Maybe back to the hack.