Planning on arriving Bangkok April 13th - which is first day of Songkran. Will trains be running? Can I count on the schedule on the thairail website or is there a place that I can find out about holiday train schedules? will it be possible to change money when I arrive? if no trains running - other modes of transportation recommended to Chang Mai on that day?

thanks very much

Niki, I would suggest you book a flight to Chiang Mai so you can connect with it after arriving from wherever you are coming from...I assume you will come buy air. ALL public transport will be fully booked on that day for sure so forget about even trying to get a train ticket unless you can buy it now...and even now it may be booked out.