I hope someone can help with a recommendation. My wife (Thai) and her sister are going to Chiangmai by train. She would like to stay at a hotel near the station. Thai-style, clean, safe, and inexpensive. Basically just a place for the 2 of them to put their bags and sleep at night with no worries. Names and telephone numbers greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

AFAIK there's no decent places with that description out at the train station, and besides, it's not the safest of areas to be of a night. They could go for Bumrungrat Rd - east of town before the bridge and not far from the station as well as being walkable from the Nigt Bazaar. Stayed at a place just up there called the C&C Teak House in my backpacker days, and while in the budget range, I remember it being quite nice and secure... large gate locked at night etc. The main building is all teak and the restaurant there was pretty good. The only drawbacks being popular with the French and there was a complete tosser of a young Thai guy serving the food, but other than that it was fine. Phone: 053 246 966.

Actually there is a nice, brand new place near the train station. It is located a few blocks along the same road heading toward town. It is part of the facilities being built by Dr. Ken Leeper who is an American chiropractor who is very well versed in holstic/alternative medicine and is well known and respected here in Chiang Mai. Phone number at the new front desk at this extremely safe and accessible is 053-240-020....Ask for Sita and tell her Jack directed you to them. Tuk-tuks are around to take them anywhere in the city.

Isn't Shewe Wana, which I guess is the place you are suggesting 3000 ++ per night or so?

Actually there is a nice, brand new place near the train station. It is located a few blocks along the same road heading toward town. It is part of the facilities being built by Dr. Ken Leeper who is an American chiropractor who is very well versed in holstic/alternative medicine and is well known and respected here in Chiang Mai. Phone number at the new front desk at this extremely safe and accessible is 053-240-020....Ask for Sita and tell her Jack directed you to them. Tuk-tuks are around to take them anywhere in the city.

Sounds nice but going by the op, he is after inexpensive digs.

With the city so close at hand anyhow, op, why not get the missus to take a songthaew there and have a huge choice of accommodation plus the many delights of CM? Something like the Montri or Top North are in the thick of it and are well within reach of most things - just 10 minutes by songthaew/tuk tuk from the station. Or perhaps there's some specific need to stay right out in the arse end of town

Ricklev...I think the rates are about 2,000B but not sure. Seems I remember the rooms are about 63 square meters