Laos or Northern Thailand

Hi all. I have about 6 days at the end of a vacation in Burma where I am trying to decide where to go. I will be flying into Bangkok from Burma and am undecided whether to head to Pai/Chaing Mai or head to Laos for a few days. Either way I would take an overnight train from BKK. I have traveled Bangkok and southern Thailand before so not interested in staying there.

Anyone have any preferences on these two areas? Just looking for some good scenery, food, and things to see and do. Thanks!

I think 6 days will fit in well heading to northern Thailand. Bangkok to Chiang Mai is about 12hrs by overnight train and then a minibus to Pai is about 3 hours. I'd be saving Laos for when you have 3 or 4 weeks to spare.

that is what I was leaning towards also. Do you have any experience booking the trains? Would I be able to book same day or is there a way to book in advance that you know of? Thanks for all of your help.

Re #2 I don't have a great knowledge of the booking system but The Man in Seat 61 knows everything about every train on this planet, even about the Bangkok-Chiang Mai train
http://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm#.URNjOpK4bcs
Also, you mentioned looking for some good food, the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar had some of the nicest Thai food I've ever eaten.

Booking trains in Thailand is simple - just turn up at Hualamphong and buy a ticket.

It wouyld be a shame to rush Laos but a quick trip to VTE and LP would be [possible.

Just to concur with the other posters, Chiang Mai is fantastic, it's easy to get there by train and a great experience to wake up in the morning to a real jungle after being in Bangkok! Also the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is amazing! You could spend every night there and not see everything. If you have the chance, go river rafting and try to check out a local trek into the mountains.

wow, I'm convinced! Will travel up to Chiang Mai by overnight train and spend my time there. Thank you for all of the great advice.

I love Chiang Mai,, kind of like Luang Prabang on steroids. My wife and I get up there a couple of times a year for a few days of chill out.

Small city, easy to get around and heaps to do.

I'd prefer Northern Thailand over Northern Laos, however with just 6 days you'd need to stick to northern Thailand. Chiang Mai is a nice place, even though it's ridiculously over-touristed. I generally hate places like that, but Chiang Mai is a little bit special.