Thanks for all of your previous help. The trip is finalized,leaving JFK Dec. 26 returning home Jan. 10, 2009. Here is our plan. Dec. 27-Jan 1 in Bangkok, possibly day train Jan.1 to Chiang Mai(since it's a holiday & most places will be closed, we can see some countryside), Jan1- 6 in Chiang Mai, Phuket Jan.6-9, back to Bkk Jan. 9 to fly out on the 10th. Here is the question. How to get to Phuket from Chiang Mai without going through Bkk? Don't want to waste a day on travel. Question 2. Any suggestions for New Years eve in Bangkok? Myself, my 21 year old daughter, & my 13 year old son.
Last question. We have a 12 hour layover in Tokyo on the way home and want to see some of the city. Any suggestions? Sorry for the lengthy message. Thanks for all answers.

There is one non stop flight per day from Chiang Mai to Phuket, that is Thai Airways, 2 hours flying time, leaves around lunchtime.

James advise is right on. It is the only way to go to avoid a stop in Bangkok.. Can be a little expensive if you have to pay top fare. If you would book now for say Jan 5/6 the fare will be around $128. When the seats in that catogert run out the next level is 162 and then upwards.

If you forget about the train and fly to CM, the to Phuket and back to BK you could get a Thai Air Discovery pass that will give you 3 domestic flights for $284 (199 + taxes of 85)
http://www.thaiair.com/Promotions/Sp...tion_index.htm

If you take the day train to CM in my opion the family will become bored quite quickly. The screnery is interesting for the first little while but then is just the same. The best is going through the mountains as you near CM but it is dark by then so you miss it. The night train will give you this early morning.

The Thai air non-stop leaves Chiang Mai about 11:00 a.m.. You get to Phuket right around check-in time. It's perfect. We've used it twice.

Thanks to all. The airpass sounds like the way to go. I'll definitely have to check that out.