Bkk-Chiang Mai train

We are 2 adults and 1 child and want to travel on the overnight first class
sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. We did this many years ago,
before we had our daughter. Has anyone done this in a group of 3? The
compartments only have 2 berths so we are wondering what is the best thing
to do as we don't really want some one we don't know in the extra berth. Is
it best to pay a single supplement so that we have 2 compartments to
ourselves?

Also, does anyone have experience with using a booking agent to book the
tickets? We arrive in Bangkok 1 week before taking the train and because of
the tight schedule, we don't really have any flexibility with trains to
catch so want to be on a particular one on a particular day.

TIA for advice.

In article , Viviane
says...
We are 2 adults and 1 child and want to travel on the overnight first class
sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.

Why don't you fly?
--

Alfred Molon
http://www.molon.de - Photos of Asia, Africa and Europe

We thought it would make a change. Our daughter (age 11 so old enough to
have a view!) was really keen on doing a long distance train travel and
night train travel in particular. We love train travel anyway so have
chosen to go one way by train. We are flying back.

"Alfred Molon" wrote in message
...
In article , Viviane
says...
We are 2 adults and 1 child and want to travel on the overnight first
class
sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.

Why don't you fly?
--

Alfred Molon
http://www.molon.de - Photos of Asia, Africa and Europe

"Viviane" kirjoitti
viestissä:xoCdnZXG1Z2Z4zfUnZ2dnUVZ8jSWnZ2d@westnet .com.au...
We thought it would make a change. Our daughter (age 11 so old enough to
have a view!) was really keen on doing a long distance train travel and
night train travel in particular. We love train travel anyway so have
chosen to go one way by train. We are flying back.

"Alfred Molon" wrote in message
...
In article , Viviane
says...
We are 2 adults and 1 child and want to travel on the overnight first
class
sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.

Why don't you fly?
--

Alfred Molon
http://www.molon.de - Photos of Asia, Africa and Europe

I guess Al meant that you won't see anything too much but in vicinity of
both ends. It will be too dark you know.......

"Viviane" wrote in message
. au...
We are 2 adults and 1 child and want to travel on the overnight first
class sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. We did this many years
ago, before we had our daughter. Has anyone done this in a group of 3?
The compartments only have 2 berths so we are wondering what is the best
thing to do as we don't really want some one we don't know in the extra
berth. Is it best to pay a single supplement so that we have 2
compartments to ourselves?

Also, does anyone have experience with using a booking agent to book the
tickets?


I recently used one of the two mentioned on
http://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm but I cannot remember which. I have
appended one of their emails at the bottom of this (some censorship to blur
my identity).

It worked perfectly well. The ticket turned up as promised.

I would suggest that you simply order a double and a single. Mum and
daughter take one cabin, Dad gets to share with a stranger, no problem,
really.

BTW, do not believe the people who tell you that Second Class is as good as
First Class. The beds are almost as good, but there is less privacy, and the
toilets.....................!!!!!!! (Your daughter WILL have an opinion on
this)

This was my first time in Second Class and I will never do it again.





Dear Sir,
Thank you so much for your online train ticket order, however, we cannot
purchase your train ticket for XXXXX to Bangkok on XX JAN 2009 at this
moment since the ticket is avialable for sale in advance only 60 days before
the travel date, thus the first day we can purchase the train ticket for you
is on XX November 2008 WE WILL INFORM TO YOU IMMEDIATELY IF WE GET THE
TICKET, BUT IF NOT WE WILL REFUND THE MONEY BACK TO YOUR CREDIT CARD**
Customer : Mr. XXXX XXXXX
Adults : 1
Route1 : XXXXX - Bangkok
Class1 : 2nd Class (Lower)
Date1 : XX January 2009
Departure1 : 18.20
Total Price : XXX Baht

Receiver : Mr. XXXX XXXXX
Nationality : Australian
Delivery to Hotel : XXXX Hotel On XX December 2008
Should you require any further information or assistance please feel free to
contact me at anytime.
Best regards,


Ms. Nicky (Kanoungnit T.)
Senior Sales Executive
Royal Exclusive Travel Co., Ltd.

"Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler."


Opening Hours:
Monday-Friday (09.00 - 18.00)
Saturday (09.00 - 14.00

In article , Viviane
says...
We thought it would make a change. Our daughter (age 11 so old enough to
have a view!) was really keen on doing a long distance train travel and
night train travel in particular. We love train travel anyway so have
chosen to go one way by train. We are flying back.

In March 2000 I took the night train from Bangkok to Nong Khai (near the
friensdship bridge at the Laos border). Was travelling on a low budget
and the flight were more expensive then. I shared the compartment with a
Thai guy who probably also could not afford the flight.

Was pretty unexciting. The train left late in the evening from Bangkok
and arrived in the morning in Nong Khai. Not much to see, because it was
dark when we left and when I woke up it everything happened very
quickly.

When I returned to Laos in 2006 I simply flew from Bangkok to Vientiane.
--

Alfred Molon
http://www.molon.de - Photos of Asia, Africa and Europe

I've done plenty of overnight train travel in my time - mainly between
London and Paris. I know that you see nothing other than the first and last
few minutes. However, there is something rather lovely about train travel.
And our daughter is so excited about taking a long distance train, a night
train and a train in Thailand so we get the trifecta in one trip! It all
broadens the mind......

"Alfred Molon" wrote in message
...
In article , Viviane
says...
We thought it would make a change. Our daughter (age 11 so old enough to
have a view!) was really keen on doing a long distance train travel and
night train travel in particular. We love train travel anyway so have
chosen to go one way by train. We are flying back.

In March 2000 I took the night train from Bangkok to Nong Khai (near the
friensdship bridge at the Laos border). Was travelling on a low budget
and the flight were more expensive then. I shared the compartment with a
Thai guy who probably also could not afford the flight.

Was pretty unexciting. The train left late in the evening from Bangkok
and arrived in the morning in Nong Khai. Not much to see, because it was
dark when we left and when I woke up it everything happened very
quickly.

When I returned to Laos in 2006 I simply flew from Bangkok to Vientiane.
--

Alfred Molon
http://www.molon.de - Photos of Asia, Africa and Europe

"Viviane" wrote in message
. au...
We are 2 adults and 1 child and want to travel on the overnight first
class sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. We did this many years
ago, before we had our daughter. Has anyone done this in a group of 3?
The compartments only have 2 berths so we are wondering what is the best
thing to do as we don't really want some one we don't know in the extra
berth. Is it best to pay a single supplement so that we have 2
compartments to ourselves?

Also, does anyone have experience with using a booking agent to book the
tickets? We arrive in Bangkok 1 week before taking the train and because
of the tight schedule, we don't really have any flexibility with trains to
catch so want to be on a particular one on a particular day.

TIA for advice.

As a alternative to train and plane, there's a 'luxury' coach service,
considerably quicker than the train too, that you can take from the north
coach station in Bkk to CM.

I quite enjoyed the return trip from Chiang Mai, although it's a massive
station in Bangkok and I had a little trouble locating my coach.

It was reasonably comfortable, the roughly 950 baht '1st class' cost (one
way) included a voucher for a meal at a stop halfway, and travelling daytime
meant that you could actually take in the view.

pg

The bus is efficient but without the possible charm [to a young child] of
the train. Having taken that bus years ago, I note that the front seats can
be unpleasant with the TV going and headlights from approaching vehicles
keeping one awake.


--
Remove -NOSPAM- to contact me.

"John Keiser" wrote in message
...
The bus is efficient but without the possible charm [to a young child] of
the train. Having taken that bus years ago, I note that the front seats
can be unpleasant with the TV going and headlights from approaching
vehicles keeping one awake.

Not the same type of coach as the current deluxe two-deckers being used
then. The 'first class' section is dowstairs at the front, total of about
eight or ten seats, and there's a solid partition and door between you and
the driver's area, so no headlight glare. Thai TV can be a bit annoying
though.

Reasonably comfortable seats, and I slept pretty well.

pg