I want to see the countryside in the 1st class sleeper. Anyone try this? I'm very tall so I not sure Ill be comfortable.

Do not do it. Firstly the will be travelling at night so will see nothing. It takes 12 hours and is not very confortable, I have not done it myself but have only heard horror stories about it.

Take a flight and you are there in 1 hour. Much easier and only 1500 baht.

I saw a tv show once about the Orient Express. The train still runs, and part of the route is through Thailand. I'm not sure about Chiang Mai, though. Anyway, do a Google search and you'll find a website with a schedule. OIf course, it costs a small fortune, but it might be something to do for the fun of it.

Rex

I caught the Bangkok to Chang Mai train about 19 years ago with a friend of mine and we both loved it.My friend got the last first class air con bed while I had to settle for 2nd class sleeper with open window.As it turned out the first class air con was no good as the windows were perplex and badly scarred by sunshine so it was very hard to see out.My table and bed on the other hand was great.We sat around the table for several hours drinking eating etc and then the table folded away into single bunks.I awoke in the morning to beautiful scenery and cool moutain air.So I would highly recommend doing the trip in the best non aircon sleeper you can get.

I did the Bkk>>CM overnight train ride about 10 years ago. I cannot remember I took 1st class or 2nd class. Overall it was a nice trip and I enjoyed it. The only glitch in the trip was that a pick-up truck tried to beat the train to a crossing and 2 people were killed. The train was delayed for about 30 minutes to adjust the cow catcher.

I recommend the train.

FatherMojo

It is great to travel by train but no need for 1ste class just take second class air con lower bunk great fun.
If you want to see the countryside take a morning rapid train.

I agree. Long, loud and nothing to see. I took the train up, and flew back.

I always get up with a horrible back-ache after that train ride, the bus is better

and of course flying is a lot better

and you will see nothing, except for maybe the outskirts of BKK, nothing much

You would have to be bloody crazy to get a bus long distance in LOS.
The drivers are the worst in the world. Many times whilst driving up country have I seen buses & trucks gliding down hills in nuetral. They drive the buses like motorbikes. I can't remember how many dangerous buses & driving I have seen here. Drive, take a train or fly!

I did it last year and it's a waste of time, fly instead. If you are determined to do it anyway I recommend taking an over night train that doesn't arrive too early. Get the second class sleeper instead of first class. First class they shut you up in a cabin by yourself and the beds rock head to toe, the second class sleepers rock side to side. Arrange for a bottom sleeper because they are roomier and more light gets blocked by the curtains.

But seriously the best advice is to just fly instead.

I'm looking for info on the day train. first class and second class. Want to swee the country side in daytime and alsomaybe meet Thai people on the train and learn from them. in other words be social. All the rest of the thread talks about night train.

http://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm has all the info you need.