you waste sooooo much time on the uncomfortable trains...

fly from bkk to LP and be done with it... $$ very well spent...

bkk air used to have a nyc office???

Really, I agree with rhkkmk (Bob). You will be so drained by the traveling that it could impact your pleasure - for me it would, anyway. Flying is quick and easy, and as Bob says, worth the money.

Done!! Found a flight rt from BKK to LP for about 258. CM next time!

Great!

Great! You will enjoy LP, I'm sure!

I think the reason CM polarises people is its really touristy. Some people love easy access to western things while others go to Asia for the differences.

Same with Phuket and Samui. They are very westernised.

A First Class sleeper berth on an overnight train in Thailand isn't uncomfortable. And it's not expensive.

Nor is it wasting time, because you are travelling through the night. You [should] wake up fresh, watch the world go by as you eat breakfast on the train for an hour or so, and you're there in a new destination, ready to go.

If you can sleep. Last time i took a sleeper train got 2 hrs sleep max. Noisy and not that comfortable.

Ear plugs do the trick, and avoiding alcohol before kick-off.

Great! Hope you have a wonderful trip.

LL--how are the bathrooms??? just like home I bet..

good move, you will be pleased with your choice in the long run.. what airline??

rhkkmk - They're all part of the adventure. One shower and loo at either end of the carriage is fine by me. I've been in some awful bathrooms on aircraft.

I am always mystified when people suggest that they are taking a train in Thailand...

reviews are never very positive and some are quite scary, i.e. theft attempts in the middle of the night...

to each his own, I guess

Every sleeper train is full. So every now and then someone will have something stolen, or someone will have had too much to drink and be a nuisance.
It happens on all modes of transport.
1st Class sleepers are lockable 2-Berth cabins, comfortable, and inexpensive.

Trains are for backpackers and those on a tight budget.

Far better to fly for several reasons.

Here is the comparison:

Fly
Check into hotel
Have a swim or shower
Have dinner
Get a massage
Have a few beers
Walk around the new destination at night
Watch tv or have a shag
Sleep
Wake up feeling good
Have a shower
Go out exploring

Or
Sit on a long boring train
Sleep 2 hrs
Feel terrible the next day
Go to hotel and hope they have a room ready
Shower
Eat
Sleep the day out to recover

No contest!

Flying. Already bought our tickets thanks :)

Good posting blairfell, I don't have to beat myself up now!