With all the excitement of the release of Street View in the Amazon the release of Street View imagery in Poland and Thailand has almost gone unnoticed.
Poland now has Street View coverage in most of the major towns and in Thailand there is a lot of coverage in and around Bangkok and in the north around Chiang Mai.
The floods in Thailand now look set to affect the capital, Bangkok. The government has decided to open flood gates to try and control the flow of the flood waters through the city's canals.
The likely affect will be flooding around the canals and officials have urged residents in seven Bangkok districts to move their possessions to higher ground.
In Thailand flood waters have swamped more than two-thirds of the country. Google Crisis Response has created a Google Map for the 2011 Thailand Floods.
As well as providing emergency contact information for people in the country the map contains a number of selectable layers. The map's initial view shows the flood affected areas across Thailand. It is also possible to view:
There are still quite a lot of gaps in Street View's coverage around the world. Luckily a number of other providers have created their own Google Maps based Street View applications to try and plug these gaps.
China - with City8 In China City8 have created extensive interactive 360 degree panoramas in 45 of the country's biggest cities.
MapJack As well as providing Street View type imagery in the USA, Canada, Singapore and Sweden Mapjack has also ventured where Google Street View has so far feared to tread. MapJack has great coverage in Malaysia, Thailand and Puerto Rico.
Norc Norc has great coverage in central and eastern Europe, including in Poland and Austria, where Google's Street View cars have yet to drive.
Bangkok Traffic Bangkok Traffic is a driving directions application for the Thai capital that also displays real-time traffic information.
To get driving directions you can drop two map markers on a Google Map or enter your starting point and destination into the search box. Your route is then displayed on the map and listed in the map sidebar.
Also displayed on the map is real-time traffic information, showing current traffic speeds on the city's roads. It is also possible to click on the webcam map markers to view real-time images from the city's traffic cams.
Traffy Traffy is another very good Google Map of traffic conditions in Bangkok. Roads on the map are coloured green, yellow or red depending on the current traffic conditions.
Traffy can also provide driving directions. If users define a start point and destination Traffy will provide the best current route, avoiding where possible traffic jams. Traffy also includes map markers of traffic cams. When you click on a camera map marker an image of the current road conditions is shown in the map sidebar.
Red Crisis in Bangkok The Bangkok Post have produced this Google My Map to show the extent of the troubles between the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) and the army in Bangkok.
The map seems very up-to-date (as I write it was updated 1 hour ago). However, according to The New York Times, staff members of The Bangkok Post "were forced to flee attacks in the capital".
The map shows the locations of the clashes in the city between government forces and protesters from the UDD.
Thailand Globetrotter This stunning looking Google Maps mashup from the Tourism Authority of Thailand showcases some beautiful photographs of this Southeast Asian country.
The homepage features a full-screen Google Map with a photo thumbnail menu. If you roll over any of the photographs the map automatically zooms to the picture's location. Clicking on any of the photographs takes you to the main page for that location.
Each individual location page features a slideshow of the area and its own Google Map. Every map on the page has a tinted overlay to ensure the map fits in with the overall design of the website. It really is a beautifully designed website.
ReThai ReThai uses the Google Maps API to show properties for sale or rent in Thailand. Anyone can advertise a property listing on the map for free by registering with the site. Real estate agents can even add a logo and business details to their properties added to ReThai.
It is possible to search for properties on the map by price range, property type and location. Clicking on a property's map marker opens an information window with information about the listing and direct contact details of the property's owner.
Non-Thai speaking users can still view the map of Thailand in English at http://maps.google.com/. However, the Thai language version of Google Maps means that Thai speakers now have access to all the Google Maps goodies in Thai. This includes Thai My Maps and Mapplets.
So, especially for our Thai speaking readers here is a video introducing your own version of Google Maps
If you missed the Google Maps Thailand Opening Event you can check out Macroart's photographs of the event on Flickr.
To view all the Thailand maps mashups we have featured on Google Maps Mania check out:
Traffy Traffy is a very good Google Map of traffic conditions in Bangkok. Roads on the map are coloured green, yellow or red depending on the current traffic conditions.
Traffy can also provide driving directions. If users define a start point and destination Traffy will provide the best current route, avoiding where possible traffic jams. Traffy also includes map markers of traffic cams. When you click on a camera map marker an image of the current road conditions is shown in the map sidebar.
EDTGuide The EDT in EDTGuide stands for 'eat', 'drink' and 'travel' and this Google Maps mashup shows the best places to eat, drink and travel in Bangkok.
The site is a social sharing site so all the reviews of the bars, restaurants and other points of interest are provided by the site's members.
Both of these Google Maps come from the excellent Google Maps Fan in Thailand, which as well as providing reviews of Thai Google Maps mashups, includes tutorials in Thai on how to build your own Google Maps mashups.
Thailand Lost-in-Bangkok This on-line visitors guide to Bangkok features a searchable Google Map of things to do in the Thai capital. It is possible to search the map by region and by type. So, for example, it is possible to search Rachada for restaurants or Silom for bars.
The search results are tagged on the map and also listed in the sidebar. Each tagged location includes a brief description and is often accompanied by a photograph of the venue.
Vietnam Focation Focation provides travel information for Vietnam. Registered users can add their own tagged locations to the map.
It is also possible to just add photographs to the map and Focation has an additional Google Map mash-up of Vietnamese photographs submitted to Flickr and photos uploaded by its own users.
Malaysia Mapdoo Mapdoo allows users to search for places in Malaysia. As Google doesn't provide geo-coding for Malaysia the developers have plugged in their own geo-coder to the search engine. It is therefore possible to search Mapdoo for streets, places and businesses in Malaysia.
Anyone can use Mapdoo for free and you can even add your own business to Mapdoo's listings. The map has thousands of businesses listed and it is possible to search this huge database of mapped locations either via a search box or by selecting type of business from a range of options.
My Hospital My Hospital is a Google Map mash-up of government hospitals in Malaysia. The map comes with a search box so it is possible to search for individual hospitals or it is possible to search the map by state.
Singapore Singapore VR Singapore VR is a website featuring hundreds of interactive panoramic photographs of Singapore. The panoramas include Singapore's top tourist destinations and also many restaurants and other entertainment locations. Each panoramic photo is tagged on a Google Map. The video below provides a pretty good introduction of what you can find on Singapore VR.
Bali Bali Hotel Map The Bali Hotel Map is a Google Map mash-up of resorts, villas and hotels in Bali. However the site has also geo-tagged hundreds of other places of interest to visit in Bali.
The site allows users to tag their own places of interest. Users can therefore add reviews and testimonials of their favourite restaurants and bars. And if you do find a hotel that you like you can even use Bali Hotel Map to book a room.
Chiangdao's Bangkok Map has it going on! Chiangdao's English language Bangkok Map is a mashup between Google Maps and Moffle.com that brings you with a user friendly and useful tourist map for anyone visiting this great world city. Descriptive map pins will show you the locations for tourist attractions, metro stations, shopping, hotels, restaurants and much more. Give it a try. With recently added street maps for Bangkok, Google Maps is becoming a vital travel tool to use while visiting this city!
JaideeGolf lets you interact with Thai golf courses: Jaideegolf is a new golf mashup for Thailand (and other world locations) that lets you map the course, the holes and also measure distance from the pin to the hole! Give it a try on the Amata Spring Country Club and try the tools on the directly on the map.
Google Maps Mania readers from around the world are noting updates to Google Maps in several countries worldwide today! Here is the rundown of countries that are seeing updates:
In some cases there are enhancements to the road/street maps that were there previously (Greece for example) and for some countries streets and roads are completely new (Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey) This update of streets, roads and other points of interest will have a huge impact on users of Google Maps in these areas. It means that satellite imagery is now more relevant and easier to identify when "sightseeing" using the hybrid map view toggle. In addition, Google's new My Maps map creation tool is now instantly available for millions of people to begin creating and sharing interesting maps for these countries!
Know of other countries seeing updates or want to leave some feedback? Post a comment!:)
[Thanks to Scott Dexter for the tip!]
For other recent feature and functionality updates to Google Maps, click on the "Google Maps" label below:
Here are some new Google Maps tourism mashups for Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket.. If you're going to Thailand.. Check these out!! :)
Chiang Mai and Phuket: Chiangmaitcc.com: With no street or road mapping yet available for Thailand Chiangmaitcc (English language) addresses this with some help from the Thai government. Panutat Tejasen and the SIPA's Thai Tourism C-Commerce Project Team have created a road mapping layer that meets with the satellite mapping already available from Google Maps for two Thai tourism hotspots. The maps are mashed up with more than 2,000 business listings photos, panoramas and video. Many different types of businesses are listed including accommodation, entertainment and "interesting sites". This is a mashup TOTALLY designed and targeted at tourists, so if you're heading to either of these two places, be sure to check it out. Switch between Chiang Mai and Phuket from the left side.
Bangkok Street Maps on Google Maps - Here's a new site created using the Google Maps API that provides street maps for Bangkok which includes Sukhumvit, Silom, Sathon Bangkok Airport, and Suvarnabhumi. Click on the Moffle toggle to see these street maps. Moffle also allows you to Create Google Maps using these street maps as well. [Via ProgrammableWeb]
More Bangkok Maps:
Great Bangkok Google Maps Mashup - BangkokRecorder.com has created a fantastic mashup of Shopping, Hotels, Attractions and other must-see spots around BKK. It also maps the transit lines and locations for airport, train and bus stations. Combine this mashup with Moffle perhaps to add some context to these satellite-mapped locations. [Via Gridskipper]
Here is a fantastic project that a Bangkok, Thailand based non-profit organization is engaged in. Siam Soundtrek is working to preserve the heritage sites of Old Bangkok. To draw awareness they have established a Google Maps mashup on their website and samples of their Mp3 tour through the heart of the old city can be downloaded right from the map! Visitors to the mashup can download the tours for free as well as edit information on their wiki. This tour can act as an on or offline way to explore one of South East Asia's most vibrant city!
Other Google Maps mashups and viewing tools for Thailand:
Thailand: All 50 Bangkok Subdivisions - Swatchai Kriengkraipet of Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand has geocoded each "khet" (subdivision) in Bangkok. The boundaries are represented with polylines on a Google Map along with district offices and the option to display the map labels in Thai language. [via]
Thailand: All 76 National Changwats - In the same manner as the Bangkok map Khun Swatchai has also detailed each of the national administrative divisions throughout Thailand. [via]
Philippines: Agri-Tech Roadshow Mapped - The K-AgriNet ICT Roadshow "promotes the use of computers and internet to local government officials, agricultural extension workers, and farmers." They've built a Google Map to show the stops on the tour. They're also using the map on their blog. It would be great if they enabled satellite imagery to let farmers view their land when viewing the tour map!
India: Updated satellite maps for Chennai - The Neo-Sagredo blog has pointed out the updated satellite imagery for Chennai, India. Check out Aswin's post about this with screencaps of notable locations.
Bangkok Street Maps on Google Maps - Here's a new site created using the Google Maps API that provides street maps for Bangkok which includes Sukhumvit, Silom, Sathon Bangkok Airport, and Suvarnabhumi. Click on the Moffle toggle to see these street maps. Moffle also allows you to Create Google Maps using these street maps as well. [Via ProgrammableWeb]
More Bangkok Maps:
Thailand: All 50 Bangkok Subdivisions - Swatchai Kriengkraipet of Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand has geocoded each "khet" (subdivision) in Bangkok. The boundaries are represented with polylines on a Google Map along with district offices and the option to display the map labels in Thai language. [via]
Thailand: All 76 National Changwats - In the same manner as the Bangkok map Khun Swatchai has also detailed each of the national administrative divisions throughout Thailand. [via]
Philippines: Agri-Tech Roadshow Mapped - The K-AgriNet ICT Roadshow "promotes the use of computers and internet to local government officials, agricultural extension workers, and farmers." They've built a Google Map to show the stops on the tour. They're also using the map on their blog. It would be great if they enabled satellite imagery to let farmers view their land when viewing the tour map!
India: Updated satellite maps for Chennai - The Neo-Sagredo blog has pointed out the updated satellite imagery for Chennai, India. Check out Aswin's post about this with screencaps of notable locations.
