Hi All

I'm thinking of buying a GPS for my delivery vehicle. But I'm not sure how helpful a GPS with Thai maps will be.

In the UK, GPS devices can use post codes to find addresses, because each post code covers only a very small area (for example, 8-10 houses, if they are close together).

However, post codes in Thailand cover very large areas.

Also, some of the delivery addresses we get are incomplete (missing road name) and many of them are in English language rather than Thai language.

Could a GPS help in the above circumstances? (and how?)

Many thanks for any advice !

Simon

Garmin's are great for finding businesses as they have practically every single one listed as a POI, but only useful for residential addresses in larger cities - out in the country the best bet would be to ask for the nearest school, Tesco Lotus, 7/11, police station, gas station etc and use that as a point of reference to get you close, and then call the recipient for final directions from there..

Note that Garmin's handle EN & TH input equally well.

Edited February 10, 201313 yr by IMHO

I also tend to use nearby landmarks likely to be in the poi database.

Addresses won't work, and the way they are guess they'll never work.

Mail delivery must be a hard job over here

GPS devices do not work as well in Thailand as some countries with better maps and address systems but they still make finding locations a lot easier than with paper maps and / or directions from locals alone.

Addresses are not much good and sometimes guessing the English spelling of names can be a bit hit and miss but as IMHO said, a nearby landmark usually can be substituted. Occasionally I have found a destination on Google Maps beforehand and used the co-ordinates in the GPS.

Smart phone navigation is also much more useful now within the (finally) expanding 3G network.

Edited February 10, 201313 yr by Jitar

I agree that a big problem with finding a Thai GPS location by address is hampered by the variations in spelling when using English. However, I would assume that the Thai-language versions uses standard Thai spelling so a Thai driver using a Thai-language GPS may find a specific address a lot easier than a farang driver using the same GPS in English.

I was disappointed that my ESRI-driven Nuvi indicated that I could do a left-turn (south) onto Rajadamri from the north-side of Ploenchit when headed west when in reality doing a zig-zag at junctions is illegal. I had to run the loop back along Petchaburi to Nana Nua in order to get over to the south-side of Ploenchit. Easy enough last Saturday but would have been a killer in the regular Mon-Fri gridlock.

Thai language GPS is great and very accurate.

Transliterated Thai addresses are completely hopeless, never spelt twice the same way.

Edited February 11, 201313 yr by TommoPhysicist

Have just the cheapest N 40 unit. user friendly and have it set in English.

Very happy with it. Save me time and money

I move the thread to the GPS sub-forum, where it belongs and will find more readers

GPS devices do not work as well in Thailand as some countries with better maps and address systems...

I think you are right, that it is a problem of Thailand's address system. Outside cities, Thai postal addresses rarely include a street name and house number. It is something like <number> Mu Baan <number>, Subdistrict name (tambon), District name (amphoe), Province name (changwat), Postcode. Can a Garmin find the destination with this information?

That Garmin lady does a really good job.

Early last year the elderly father in law drew a few laughs when he mentioned how tired she must be from giving us directions throughout our long drive from upcountry to Koh Chang.

Last week, someone had something I was interested in for sale. His directions were not that good and I doubted that I would have been able to find the place. I asked if he was familiar with Google Earth. He was and gave me the rough coordinates. I put them in my Garmin and was amazed that they took me directly to his front door.

There have also been occasions that I sent a picture of a map via email that was near where I wanted to go and asked them to mark on the map where they lived and then send it back to me. I would certainly be "lost" without my Garmin.

I have deleted an off-topic post.

Last week, someone had something I was interested in for sale. His directions were not that good and I doubted that I would have been able to find the place. I asked if he was familiar with Google Earth. He was and gave me the rough coordinates. I put them in my Garmin and was amazed that they took me directly to his front door.

There have also been occasions that I sent a picture of a map via email that was near where I wanted to go and asked them to mark on the map where they lived and then send it back to me. I would certainly be "lost" without my Garmin.

In the very near future it will be all about GPS coordinates. It's already there in Social Networking programs and several photo cameras and yes when I sent a friend information about how to reach my home I use GPS coordinates with the help of Google, MapSource or with the program GPS to SMS/ email.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Is there a reference list of GPS longitude and latitude points for difference sites / places in Thailand? Seems I read about one ... Anyone know?

Thank you very much to all of you that have contributed information and advice to this thread I started. I really appreciate it !

Simon

Is there a reference list of GPS longitude and latitude points for difference sites / places in Thailand? Seems I read about one ... Anyone know?

Apparently, there is an app for mobile phones for this: http://mobile.brothersoft.com/thailand-tourist-spots-786416.html. Haven't come across a tabular list yet.

Remember ti update your unit as soon as they come out. Shows changes to roads and more information. Normal price on line is 450 Baht.

I signed up for lifetime updates for 1,500 Baht and have had 2 updates already

My unit is a 205 (or is it a 215 - I forget), but can only store a Thai or English map, at one time. I believe more high-end units let you hot-swap between TH/EN. Useful if you want a Thai to drive.

My unit can still switch between languages EN/TH.

Apparently, there is an app for mobile phones for this: http://mobile.brothersoft.com/thailand-tourist-spots-786416.html. Haven't come across a tabular list yet.

That doesn't seem to work

Looks like brothersoft changed the URL after I posted that. It is now here:

mobile.brothersoft.com/s/thailand-tourist-spots/

I haven't installed and tried it myself and thus can't vouch for it. Strange that they don't put the Android app on Google Play.

P.S. Seems to be available only for iPhone, not for Android devices.

Edited February 18, 201313 yr by Maestro
Added postscript

There are 2 alternatives:

- use the Garmin BaseCamp software on your home pc-laptop in order to prepare a trip and transfer it to your Garmin.

- use Google Maps to look for a destination and once you've found it, use the coordinates option on your Garmin to set the destination. The coordinates on Google maps can be found by "right-click" on your destination and then opt for "What's here". Click "What's here?" and a green arrow appears on your destination; "left-click" on the green arrow and a small screen pops up with coordinates. Choose for the correct coordinates-config (depending on your garmin-settings).

Warning: There are a lot of destinations like restaurants, hotels and many other POI's in google maps. Not all of them are 100% accurate. Use the Google street view option in order to search for the exact location or use the POI-option on your Garmin once you're near your final destination.

Another matter: Using your GPS in Bangkok may result in the message: "GPS signal lost" if you're driving under elevated highways or Skytrain-tracks. You'll get used to it, but the first few times, you'll freak out!

Hi, I bought a Tom Tom Go in the Uk and then purchased the Thailand map software from Tom Tom it works great in Thailand and also in Europe. All the screen information is in english and the postcodes work.

Hi, I bought a Tom Tom Go in the Uk and then purchased the Thailand map software from Tom Tom it works great in Thailand and also in Europe. All the screen information is in english and the postcodes work.

Postcodes in Thailand?