A former regional daily journalist has helped write a new travel guide to Thailand.

Mark Beales, left, who worked for the Colchester Daily Gazette, has co-authored the new Lonely Planet Thailand book and Thailand’s Islands & Beaches’ guide.

Mark, 45, now teaches English at a school in the Asian country and has helped with previous editions of the Lonely Planet guide there.

He worked for the Gazette between 1990 and 2001 and was chief reporter for the Harwich and Manningtree Standard from 2001 to 2004.

Of his latest work, Mark said: “Going on the road for Lonely Planet is always a huge thrill. For this trip I was pleased to be able to add some new resorts and uncover some fantastic new places to visit.

“Thailand continues to be one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations and I hope the new guide will help even more people discover this amazing country.”

Mark lives in Rayong, a province to the east of Bangkok, with his wife, Ann, and son, Daniel.