Purchasing Thai maps?

[forumadmin]

A reader asks: "I follow your website regularly for news of the various transit projects in Thailand. You seem quite knowledgable about govt related issues in Thailand so you might be able to help me with a request. I collect maps, mostly recent city maps created by govt agencies like the US Geological Survey or the UK's Ordnance Survey. I was hoping to get a map of Bangkok, a topographical map at about 1:25,000 or 1:50,000. Do you know what agency in the Thai government would be responsible for producing such maps or where I could purchase them? I've done several searches on the internet but the best I could come up with are some links to the Royal Thai Army (who apparently produce some topo maps), unfortunately I am not proficient in reading Thai and was unable to get much info. Any help would be greatly appreciated. "

[GWR]

A reader asks: "I follow your website regularly for news of the various transit projects in Thailand. You seem quite knowledgable about govt related issues in Thailand so you might be able to help me with a request. I collect maps, mostly recent city maps created by govt agencies like the US Geological Survey or the UK's Ordnance Survey. I was hoping to get a map of Bangkok, a topographical map at about 1:25,000 or 1:50,000. Do you know what agency in the Thai government would be responsible for producing such maps or where I could purchase them? I've done several searches on the internet but the best I could come up with are some links to the Royal Thai Army (who apparently produce some topo maps), unfortunately I am not proficient in reading Thai and was unable to get much info. Any help would be greatly appreciated. "

RTSD do have Rolled or Folded 1:20,000 & 1:50,000 Paper Maps of Greater Bangkok. And while you are there, you can check out the 1:250,000 & 1:50,000 for the rest of the country. They are most certainly dated, but I suspect if your map-collecting tendencies are similar to my own (a huge OS fan!), you won't mind that too much. Other than that, RTSD sell a very attractive product for collection purposes; and I suppose their quirks probably add to their collectability. And of course, topography isn't so changeable as some of the more human features. As you probably noticed on:-
http://www.rtsd.mi.th
the online ordering system for digital downloads & delivered papermaps is hard to understand & I suspect not even finished yet. Here is a link to a string that describes how to get to RTSD. It's a worthwhile visit in its own right as it is right in the heart of Bangkok Bureaucracy Land. For example, many areas covered by 1:50,00 are not available to the public because of their so-called 'Military Sensitivity'.
Whole String:-
http://207.5.19.33/forum/showthread.php?t=604
Most Relevant Post:-
http://207.5.19.33/forum/showpost.ph...06&postcount=2
They are building a new office next door, but I suspect this will not be completed for a long time yet. The staff are keen to help. They don't speak vast amounts of English, but the front desk is covered with Index Maps which should make ordering (if available) a cinch.
I believe the 1:20,000 will set you back all of 80 Baht. The website provides telephone numbers & emails, if you wish to enquire about getting maps delivered. I certainly know some folk who have done this, after a simple bank money transfer.
String on GISTDA:-
http://207.5.19.33/forum/showthread.php?t=650
Mineral Resources Dept:-
http://www.dmr.go.th/eng/indexeng.htm