Two teenage sisters turn their local travel & food experiences into an easy-to-understand guidebook for children

After reading a guidebook packed with travel information, adults - leave alone children - may actually find it difficult deciding where to go or what to do. But with "Bangkok Guide for Kids by Kids", discovering Bangkok will be like child's play for kids.

The book, which follows two dynamic girls' experiences, provides a fresh perspective on how to tour the city.

Andrea and Ines Dumont describe their favourite attractions and activities in a humorous, light and refreshing manner - all for the benefit of other children.

"It's good because there is no other guide for kids," says Andrea, 15, pointing out that big guidebooks are not convenient for children.

Multicultural

The 12-chapter, 160-page book offers candid reviews of top local attractions, quick out-of-town trips, favourite hangouts and even food options. It also includes useful information for young visitors - from jet-set tips to a crash course in Thai gastronomy and language.

Ines, 14, says they share their opinions about various places. "If we like a restaurant, for example, we say the food is really good."

Born to a French dad and a Filipino mum of Spanish-Chinese descent, Andrea and Ines are typical multicultural teenagers who have lived in Bangkok all their lives. Fluent in English and French, they are secondary students at Bangkok Patana School.

It took the two girls around three years to complete the book, and Andrea says she didn't imagine it would hit the shelves.

"I've planned to update this book every three years because the places change so fast in Bangkok and maybe I'll continue to discover more," Andrea says.

"We have many friends and relatives who visit Bangkok; they always ask us what to do and we tell them," Ines chips in.

She recommends that readers check out an interesting chapter on restaurants and her favourite place, Siam Square, while Andrea says she likes the "adrenaline boosters" chapter, and suggests readers visit her most favourite Italian restaurant, Limoncello.

The book, priced at Bt450, is available at Asia Books, Kinokuniya and B2S.