couple of friends of mine who were supposed to be visiting chiang mai can no longer come as a result of the fun and games in bangkok. . . .i'd bought them tickets to travel on the train from chiang mai down to bangkok on the sixth, does anyone know if i'll have any luck getting these refunded now that they cannot come?

No prblbem, just take it to the ticket sales booth and they will immediatly refund it less a 20 percent penalty with no paperwork -- up to 48 hours before scheduled departure and then 50 percent (I think) penalty.

Coincidentaly I just returned from booking a ticker and refunding a different one at the train station. You can also change the date for 50 baht.

thanks ricklev, that's good to know. at least i get a couple of thousand back if not the full two and a half.