Hi- My partner and I were planning to take the train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok next week but heard from a Thai friend that it is not very safe as the tracks have been flooding with the rainy season. It's quite a bit cheaper than flying so we're hoping this isn't totally true... Has anyone taken the train recently and perhaps have more information?

Thanks!

I think if they sell the tickets, it should be ok. Then there is always the bus option.

I saw a piece on Thai TV news yesterday which showed a landslide on the line - the track was hanging in the air. Northbound trains are terminating at Lampang at the moment. Didn't say how long it would take to repair.

Edited August 30, 201114 yr by KhunDave

On the front of the newspaper it showed the tracks hanging mid air supposedly at Mae Tha (between Lamphun & Khuntan). So I guess the train is starting at Lampang - maybe they are busing people there. It said around 2-3 weeks to fix. That was about 5-7 days ago

Semper,you very SMART !

Semper,you very SMART !

Yes I took the bus option a couple of years ago, Chiang mia to Korat, 12hrs one 20 min stop. How long does the train take?

jb1

Semper,you very SMART !

Well, I guess the ticket office at the train station can tell you if it's possible to go to Bkk or not.

Semper,you very SMART !

Yes I took the bus option a couple of years ago, Chiang mia to Korat, 12hrs one 20 min stop. How long does the train take?

jb1

The train does not go via Korat,

Edited August 30, 201114 yr by sbk
flame removed

Take the plane even if the tracks are in repair. Noisy, no sleep, you arrive tired at 6am in the morning cannot check in to hotel. Get over the big train ride experience, if you take the night train no scenery, and if the day train no scenery.

Go by plane 45 min. flight, arrive when you want to, go to hotel and check in, go sightseeing as your not tired.

I took the train a few times when i didn't have a pot to piss in and always managed to sleep. Would do it again tomorrow.

Take the plane even if the tracks are in repair. Noisy, no sleep, you arrive tired at 6am in the morning cannot check in to hotel. Get over the big train ride experience, if you take the night train no scenery, and if the day train no scenery.

Go by plane 45 min. flight, arrive when you want to, go to hotel and check in, go sightseeing as your not tired.

Just curious, what are the sceneries in Bkk ?

Sceneries in BKK? Pollution -Gross ,Massive parking lots on the Freeways/ tollways. Traffic jams everywhere else ,all day ,every day. 'Totally filthy air. C.O.P.D. is ,second to diabetes ,type 2 ,the fastest growing disease in Bkk.. You are welcome to it. Me ? I love my clean air ,no traffic jams, but i live in a little rural town that should be the envy of all Bkk. residents, IF they ever came to experience it

Take the plane even if the tracks are in repair. Noisy, no sleep, you arrive tired at 6am in the morning cannot check in to hotel. Get over the big train ride experience, if you take the night train no scenery, and if the day train no scenery.

Go by plane 45 min. flight, arrive when you want to, go to hotel and check in, go sightseeing as your not tired.

I have never flown overland in Thailand .And I never will. I love travelling by train. I have been on every main line in Thailand, both by sleeper and day train. I have had so many wonderful and very pleasant experiences on trains. I also sleep VERY well on trains. I do NOT arrive tired ,rather more refreshed, from having had such a pleasant evening /night. Often in the restaurant car ,quoffing a few ales in pleasant company. I arrive fit and well ,ready for a FULL days activities. What sort of a wuss are you?

Edited August 30, 201114 yr by afarang

I took the train a few times when i didn't have a pot to piss in and always managed to sleep. Would do it again tomorrow.

^ +1 I like the train too