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Rej · Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 20

I'm going to Thailand in mid-Jan and am planning to go to Chiang Mai by train from Bangkok first. Do you think it will be necessary to pre-book night train tickets at this time? I'd also like some advice on the best way of getting from Chiang Mai to Sukhothai and then on to Nong Khai. Is the only way to do it by bus?

laben18 · Joined: 06 Aug 2003 Posts: 84 Location: The parking lot.

dont take the train . it sux

take the bus from morchit station .

and go 2 sukhothai first ; its on the way to CM

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

Not sure why laben18 thinks the train "sux", maybe he didn't get a sleeper or maybe it wasn't cheap enough.

If you can get a sleeper then I'd say take the train. Book as far in advance as possible. Get a lower berth if possible. This means you get a bed with blankie and a pillow with dinner and breakfast served at your seat. You probably get to see more of the scenery as well. One drawback of the train is that it takes longer.

As for getting to Sukhothai, you can take the train to Phitsanulok and proceed from there. But laben18's suggestion about going to Sukhothai is pretty good advice, because you don't have to cross into Laos at Nongkhai. There is another border crossing from Chiang Khong, Chiang RAI province next door to Chiang Mai.

You can see the map at:
http://www.khamla.com/maps/

bluffer · Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 9:12 am Post subject:

Being on a sleeper train is far far better than a VIP bus. At least you can get a few beers and food on a train and walk around and and and..... Book as far in advance as you can for the train or you could end up in 2nd class fan - not good or 3rd class reclining seats - worse.

Train timetables here

http://www.traveller2000.com/train/schedules.htm

http://www.railway.co.th/httpEng/

Any particular reason you are going to Nong Khai?

Elepink · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 2

how weird laben18 said taking a train sucks...
well,,for me, i didn't take a train BKK to Chiang mai but Nong kai.
i took a train at ka samsen staion about at 8p.m, and the next morning when i woke up, i found myself already arrived in nong kai, i slept really well on the clean bed.
but in your case, going to Chiang mai, i think it is good idea to take a plane. at the very reasonable price you could reserve a flight ticket on the airasia website. the price is almost same to take a train though,, more quick. but still,,if you have enough time, why dont you take a train and meet local people.
taking a bus..once i took a night bus, and the seat was just in front of the toilet........wekkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk Shocked