Before I finalize my itinerary, I have to ask some questions about the domestic airlines and their time schedules. I will give you my itinerary pending your answers.

1. Which airlines flies direct, non stop from Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai to Siem Reap, if any?

2. If having a stop-over in BKK first, which airlines has the least amount of layover time to SR?

3. Is it better flying into CR or CM first? I did CR first so as to be in CM for the Sunday Market.

4. With this itinerary, would I qualify for the discount pass and with which airlines?

5. How much time would you suggest gettting to the airport before flight time?

6. Would leaving from Thailand to Cambodia be considered an international flight? If so, would arriving into BKK from SR be a different airport than I left from BKK going to CR? I ask because I read in another post that in case we decide to leave any luggage at the airport when leaving up north, that it will be at a different airport when we arive back into BKK from SR, right?

I tried to get on the different airline web sites, but it was too confusing, just giving me up-to-date time scheduling, not in Nov., not unless I don't know how to fine that information or the time schedule will be the same as now. So if you know the exact departure and arrival times of these flights, that would be very helpful knowing how much time I have in each city.

I have learned so much information from reading this forum for over 3 months and appreciate all you Fodorites advise from my previous questions. Being we have always traveled on escorted trips, I found it overwhelming planning out every detail on this trip. I would never have done this if it weren't for your post telling how easy it is getting around on your own in Thailand.

As per Katie's advice, I wll be asking a lot more questions, but on separate posts for each city.

To answer some of your questions
1. For the 2007/8 high season (nov/mar) Bangkok Air flew between Chiang Mai and Siem Reap twice weekly (thur/sat) at a ridiculous fare of $350 or 265 if there is a special. Whether they will do this for this coming high season is unknown.

2.The best connection is Thai Airlines 7am flight from CM getting into Bangkok at 8.10 and then taking Bangkok Air 11am to SR.

3.Flying into Chiang Rai first is fine and then taking a bus/taxi to CM. If you got time the boat/bus or taxi option is worthwhile. The sunday market is great much better than the famous night one that everyone goes to.

4. The Bangkok air pass will save you money for the Siem Reap flights especially if you can fly direct from CM. But the 3rd section of the pass may be harder to use unless you want to spend a night in Bangkok or fly to CM first, as BA does not fly to CR. The Bangkok Air flight from CM leaves at 19.05 and there are no connections to SR until the next morning.

5. Domestic 11/2hrs, international around 3

6. Flights to Cambodia are international and fly out of the new airport. If you fly from Bangkok to CR with Thai they have one flight out of the new airport at 13.25 and two out of the old. If you use Air Asia they operate from the new only. Bangkok air is the same. Thai operates out of both airports for domestic flights and the other 2 discount airlines only out of the old.

To save money, you could look at the Discovery pass on Bangkok Air. You call them, make the reservation and then arrange payment. You have to fly three legs on Bangkok Air to make this work. You can try to book a CM-SR direct fklight when you make the reservation. The cost of the pass ends up being less than a round trip to SR from thailand.

We were looking at exactly same issue some time back.

Scotters :

You seem to know a lot more details so I will address this question to you...

Per your info CNX to REP flight (in 2008) is only on Thursday and Saturday. Do you happen to know the departure time (s ?) from CNX. Also how about the reverse direction (i.e. REP to CNX) direct, not via BKK.

When would the timing for these flights would be known for Jan-Feb 2009?

Does this flight segment (either way- but one way) count as one leg towards Bangkok Air's Discovery pass?

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

I believe the flight left around 16.32 and arrived in Siem Reap at 18.55. Of course this may change for 2008/9 season. They should know by september/october if they are going to offer this route again.

The flight counts as one coupon. No direct flight was offered in the opposite direction - SR to CM

Hope this helps