i am a large woman (large enough to need two airline seats but fit and active) and i will be visiting thailand next year. i was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as far as the circumstances i might encounter that might not occur to me. i have travelled a bit in europe but, for instance, it didn't occur to me that the toilets might not be accomodating. and we will be riding the trains so i wonder if the seats are generally larger than an airplane seat? i am not sure what else to ask, but if anyone is or has travelled with a large person in thailand, any feedback would be appreciated!

I travelled by train from Bangkok to Sukothai a couple of years ago. I went 1st Class and seem to recall that the seats were about the same size as economy (coach) class. I think 2nd Class consists of wooden bench seats. You can check out trains in Thailand seat61.com - this is a link to the page showing the coach interiors; http://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm#On%20board.

Most toilets, at least in the more upmarket establisments are western style an are usually western size. In some of the more rural areas toilets are the eastern squat variety which many people, regardless of size, find tricky!

Seats on Asian trains and buses tend to be sized for Asian people, which can make them a tight fit for almost any Westerner. You'll be better off in first class, and definitely avoid third, which is hard bench seats. Trains are usually better than buses for space.

I took the train to Ayutthaya in 2nd class. You will need two seats. I don't recall if there was an armrest. I don't think so or if there was one it would raise. I returned on a 3rd class train. The seats are simple wooden benches. You would need two seats but there is no armrest so you would have the whole bench.

The 2nd class train was dirt cheap and the 3rd class was half that.

i am a large guy...you may encounter problems with chairs in restaurants...i often have to ask for a chair without arms...no problem one is found quite quickly...

people touch my stomach often on the street for good luck...buddah like...

i am also frequently asked to hold children and have my picture taken...

you will be an oddity, but not in a bad way... enjoy the good nature of it, unlike usa reception for we biggies...

Seats in Second Class Air Conditioned sleeper trains are quite large, as they are the width of the bunk. You would probably be happier with the bottom bunk.

The Thai's are not shy about pointing at larger people, so be prepared.

The lower bunk/berth on trains is a 'must', if you go First Class and there are 2 of you ok, but if you are alone you need to pay for both to have the compartment to yourself.

Serena, If you were planning to use the trains because of the aircraft seat size here is a tip that may help -If you have seen the First Class / Business Class 2 by 2 seating on single aisle aircraft ( 737 , DC9/M80's etc ) where instread of the 3x3 or 3x2 seating, IF those First/Business seats would be adequote; there is a domestic budget airline, Nok Air, although a budget airline with cheap fares they have a few rows of 2 x 2 seating at the front ( they used to be Thai Airways Business Class seats ) and the extra for those seats known as 'Nok Plus' is only a small amount over the budget fare, something like USD 13 per sector, so that is something to think about, you still get a very cheap air fare but you can pay that small amount extra and get a much large seat.
It's a very good deal.

thanks to everyone who has replied! my sister just bought the book on thailand so i am now feeling a lot better about travelling there.