bangkok to phuket - bus or plane?
 

going to thailand in a few weeks and landing in bangkok at 6:30 pm. hoping to make it to phuket/koh phi phi by the next day. the original plan was to take an overnight bus, but im starting to think with all this flooding that this may not be an option. are the trains still running? is there a functional bus route? if i were to fly instead, what's the minimum time i should leave between flights?
also, what about between chiang mai and bangkok? equally difficult ground travel? any words of wisdom would be SUPER helpful! thank you!
emily

Current info on trains is available at http://www.thairailticket.com/esrt/D...spx?language=1

Seems as though the trains to the south are running, albeit with a bus connection. Given a choice I would much prefer travel by train to bus (esp. overnight bus)

The situation is still uncertain although it SEEMS to be improving slowly and should improve further by the time you travel. Hanuman has been providing excellent info on the current situation so you may wish to re post your question on his thread @ http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...l-thailand.cfm

fly for sure, you are already at the airport. maybe there is a 9PM+ flight you could get

Plane for sure for me especially these days...

Go by plane

thank you everyone, that was all very helpful advice! i'll definitely look into flying, and hanuman seems like quite the resource!

There is no train service to Phuket, nearest is Surat Thani on the other coast, would take you 5 hours + by road, pointless.

If you arrive at BKK 6.30 pm you can take a flight to Phuket that night. Check on Air Asia ( Nok Air and Bangkok Airways last flights you wouldn't make it ) , Air Asia have a 9.15 pm flight, about B 1,800 at the moment. If not on a budget there is also Thai Airways.

When you get to Phuket head straight to Phuket Town for the night and you are nearby for the ferry in the morning.

Hi Ems! Leslie P here.....I am stalking your trip plan since we are looking at the same trip for next December. Talk to you about it on Thanksgiving!!

Cut down your hassle and fly to phuket, if there would be a delay it won't be more troublesome than getting out of the airport and riding to the train station...