At what times and from where do the buses to Chiang Mai depart from?

How much would a private Taxi charge for the trip? Phuket to Chiang Mai.

Taxi from Karon to Patong is 500baht, so around 100k to Chiang Mai?

There are several bus companies from Phuket to Bangkok. Those leave around 6:00 and 18:00. The trip to Bangkok takes about 11 hours and costs 1000 baht.

After that I guess the trip from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is quite equivalent to Phuket-Bangkok.

Flying would be faster, safer, and far cheaper. Check with Air Asia, book ahead for best prices.

Have done Chiang Rai to Phuket direct in the past. About 22 hours with no change of bus, 2 quick meal stops, and a little over 2,000 baht. I would image there's a similar Phuket - Chiang Mai direct route. All intra-province buses arrive/depart from the new(er) bus terminal on Thepkrasattri Rd, near Supercheap.

http://www.thephuketnews.com/bangkok-airways-launches-phuket-chiang-mai-non-stop-49397.php

I avoid air travel.

What preposterous madness to float in thin air two miles high on an inch or two of metal, sustained from death by the meager skill and intelligence of two vapid strangers

Flying would be faster, safer, and far cheaper. Check with Air Asia, book ahead for best prices.

How could flying in the air possibly be safer than driving over land? With flying your death is guaranteed in the event of a mishap. In a road accident, there is a good chance of survival, albeit in a crippled state.

Flying would be faster, safer, and far cheaper. Check with Air Asia, book ahead for best prices.

How could flying in the air possibly be safer than driving over land? With flying your death is guaranteed in the event of a mishap. In a road accident, there is a good chance of survival, albeit in a crippled state.

Don't forget to include the chance of a mishap if you make a comparison like that.