Bangkok - Sukothai - Chiang Mai - Bangkok Trip Enquiry

[chongyixiong]

Sawadeekap everyone!

It's my first time in Thailand and I'm really excited.

Took me a few weeks to plan the general outline of my trip but here goes and I would like to share with everyone (I've lurked in the forums and gotten many details)

I'll be flying in from KL into Suvarnabhumi at about 11.30PM on 21st Dec, and we will be leaving by the same airport at 3PM on 31st Dec.

I have a few questions:

1. Is the airport public terminal running 24 hours? Will I be able to leave the airport at around 2, 3 AM in order to reach the Mochit Bus Terminal so I can take the earliest bus out to Sukothai on the morning of 22nd Dec?

I gather from the forums that Win Tour is quite reliable and their schedule seems to indicate that 8.30 AM is the earliest.

2. I plan to leave from Sukothai to Chiang Mai on an overnight bus on the night of 23rd Dec so that I can reach Chiang Mai on early 24th Dec morning.

Is this a safe travel option? I seem to think so from searching online I can't seem to find any concrete information (from Sukothai to CM, there is a good site indicating bus timetables from CM to Sukothai though)

3. I'm planning to stay at least 3 days in CM and we're planning to stay at Buraya Hotel

Plans are as follows:

1st day - trekking + elephant + natives tour

2nd day - Doi Ithanon tour

3rd day - explore city and ruins inside city, market shopping and take the ex-Japanese sleeper car train @ 4PM, 26th

4. Then we'll chug along into Bangkok on the morning 27th

I have found some few hotels in Bangkok, and I have just found the following that are cheap and good.

True Siam Hotel and Glow Trinity Silom.

Does anyone know any other recommendations? Mainly I'm looking at getting a decent-sized room with clean bathrooms, two single beds and relatively close to the BTS so we can get around.

5. Is the itinerary in CM too packed? I could take another day and leave on the 27th, but I would really need someone's help to change the train tickets for me (I booked through thairailticket.com and they wouldn't allow me to change tickets) and I would have to rebook (costing about 1,000 baht in losses compared to 50baht*4 = 200baht for changes).

Thanks!

[aarn]

Can't help with much here, other than to say that the MoChit - Uttaradit bus leaving ~ 0600 goes via Sukothai.

In my (three years ago) experience, not much running Suwanphumi - central BKK 2300 - 0500 except taxis. AA

[othmannorhisham]

Hi. I hope this helps as I use to travel from Suvanarbhumi by taxi at around 1.00 a.m. to Mo Chit Bus terminal to get on a bus to Korat and that route has buses going there on a 24 hours schedule but I am not too sure about the buses to Sukhotai so you can search the internet and just type buses from Mo Chit to Sukhothai. There will be a lot of informations posted by travellers. There are many comfortable hotels in Bangkok where you do not spend too much on bills but do check out The Bangkok City Hotel situated just a few minutes walk from the Ratchathewi BTS Station. The hotel has a swimming pool, free wifi and ABF and very popular with tourists from Singapore and Malaysia. The room rate starts from 1090 baht per night and from here you can just about travel everywhere in central Bangkok to places like MBK,Pratunam, Sukhumvit and the old parts of the capital in Rattanakosin. The airport link at Phiya Thai back to Suvarnabhumi is just 1 stop away from Ratchathewi.I cannot say much about Chiang Mai as if you spent more time doing the outdoor thing then you will be okay. Wonderful city, excellent Lanna style food and cool weather especially from November until February. You can rent motorcycles from 150 baht from many tour agents in Chiang Mai if you do know how to ride on one. Get the automatic scooter types like Yamaha Fino or Honda Scoopy-I from 200 bahts onwards. Chiang Mai is more relaxed than Bangkok. The website of Bangkok City Hotel is easy to log on and you book the rooms direct online in case you are interested. Hope all this small bits of informations helps and enjoy your stay in Thailand.

[davejones]

I used to live next door to Glow Trinity. It's a pretty good location - near to BTS, supermarket a few doors away, market about 1 min away, easy walk to central Silom for shopping mall, markets, bars and restaurants.

[asanee]

1. are you SURE its Swampy? AirAsia moved to DonMuang!

Of course, no need to ask, Swampy works 24 hrs-youll more lkely be out (via passp etc) before 1.00. Mochit is open 24 hrs, but really by now very near-deserted between 24-5.00. First bus to Sukh (maybe going further onward) is by 6.00 and WIN is about the only one doing these runs. Better make up mind if thats for 2nd or 1st cl. bus.

2.there are No real nightbuses Sukh-CMai-its just 4-5 hrs, thus much too short. There are buses overnite coming from further on-but you wont know if they are full when the pass Sukh. BTW: this road is for the long part really nice and attractive views, so i advise go by daytime.

5.no-these daytours take 5-6 hrs. but do check out city first day-like ayone does, then decide about the next days.. Also; on sat and sun there are most fanous walking street markets- sat on Wualai and sun on the inner city (very crowded then)-these you should not miss. change train tix: go to station at last 24 hrs before and then its only the change-fee. BUSes are much fatser, much more choice in times and no delays-trains always delay, we have no KTMB here=disini.

Selamat jalan, yah!

[chongyixiong]

Can't help with much here, other than to say that the MoChit - Uttaradit bus leaving ~ 0600 goes via Sukothai. In my (three years ago) experience, not much running Suwanphumi - central BKK 2300 - 0500 except taxis. AA

Thanks, it's just that I read that you can take the public bus no #554 and #555 between the airport and the central bus station.

Can't seem to find info whether it's running 24 hours or not. But for a family of 4, I guess taking the taxi would be a better option, and the costs savings wouldn't be THAT much anyway, presuming the value of 300-500 baht that I have surveyed from the replies in this forum.

Hi. I hope this helps as I use to travel from Suvanarbhumi by taxi at around 1.00 a.m. to Mo Chit Bus terminal to get on a bus to Korat and that route has buses going there on a 24 hours schedule but I am not too sure about the buses to Sukhotai so you can search the internet and just type buses from Mo Chit to Sukhothai. There will be a lot of informations posted by travellers. There are many comfortable hotels in Bangkok where you do not spend too much on bills but do check out The Bangkok City Hotel situated just a few minutes walk from the Ratchathewi BTS Station. The hotel has a swimming pool, free wifi and ABF and very popular with tourists from Singapore and Malaysia. The room rate starts from 1090 baht per night and from here you can just about travel everywhere in central Bangkok to places like MBK,Pratunam, Sukhumvit and the old parts of the capital in Rattanakosin. The airport link at Phiya Thai back to Suvarnabhumi is just 1 stop away from Ratchathewi.I cannot say much about Chiang Mai as if you spent more time doing the outdoor thing then you will be okay. Wonderful city, excellent Lanna style food and cool weather especially from November until February. You can rent motorcycles from 150 baht from many tour agents in Chiang Mai if you do know how to ride on one. Get the automatic scooter types like Yamaha Fino or Honda Scoopy-I from 200 bahts onwards. Chiang Mai is more relaxed than Bangkok. The website of Bangkok City Hotel is easy to log on and you book the rooms direct online in case you are interested. Hope all this small bits of informations helps and enjoy your stay in Thailand.

Thanks for the recommendation, definitely on one of my check-out lists now!

Yeah, that's why I'm thinking of spending one more night in Chiang Mai because of how relaxed it is, instead of being all rushed like in Bangkok.

I'm wondering if any buddies out here could help me change the tickets at the station?

I'd willingly buy you a beer or two for the help (and any extra costs) but I definitely would not like to pay the 1,000 baht just to change the tickets.

[chongyixiong]

1. are you SURE its Swampy? AirAsia moved to DonMuang! Of course, no need to ask, Swampy works 24 hrs-youll more lkely be out (via passp etc) before 1.00. Mochit is open 24 hrs, but really by now very near-deserted between 24-5.00. First bus to Sukh (maybe going further onward) is by 6.00 and WIN is about the only one doing these runs. Better make up mind if thats for 2nd or 1st cl. bus.

Yeah, I'm taking the Royal Jordanian flight in because AirAsia just wasn't that worth it in terms of value and service.

I would like to take the 1st class bus because of my parents for I'd like them to feel comfy and knowing that the bus is nice and comfortable.

2.there are No real nightbuses Sukh-CMai-its just 4-5 hrs, thus much too short. There are buses overnite coming from further on-but you wont know if they are full when the pass Sukh. BTW: this road is for the long part really nice and attractive views, so i advise go by daytime.

I see, daytime is the best yeah.

Thanks for the recommendation, that seems to be how it'll happen I guess.

5.no-these daytours take 5-6 hrs. but do check out city first day-like ayone does, then decide about the next days.. Also; on sat and sun there are most fanous walking street markets- sat on Wualai and sun on the inner city (very crowded then)-these you should not miss. change train tix: go to station at last 24 hrs before and then its only the change-fee. BUSes are much fatser, much more choice in times and no delays-trains always delay, we have no KTMB here=disini. Selamat jalan, yah!

I know, I know about the Sunday market but seems like I won't be able to fit it in. Will definitely do so on the next trip.

Would you be willing to help me change the tickets? Thairailticket has not been able to get back to me as to how am I able to get back.

I'm trying to catch the Train #14 so it's on the ex-Japanese railcar that has 4 beds to a berth so we can have our family looking care after each other in the same bay area.

Thanks for all the help guys.

Any local tour companies recommended in the Chiang Mai area for the activities mentioned above?