Are there budget carriers out of Shanghai or Bangkok? Which is the most reasonable way to get to Chiang Mai? Plane or train or coach? Heard it is secondary peak season- and yet i am having difficulty getting quotes and packages to Thailand. Could you suggest a good tour agent specializing in Thailand? Thanks..

For accomodations...
www.hotelsthailand.com
(maybe "hotelthailand.com...One is English, the other is Thai)

My friend owns a Guest Hotel....
Check out www.elegantlanna.com. About a block from the west side of the old city.
Clean and Safe...very convenient.

Airfare.
www.ctrip.com

Round trip to BKK will be MU, Air India, or TG

Cheapest from BKK to Changmai is Air Asia

Book on-line yourself at www.airasia.com

Be sure you read the baggage restrictions. Cheap fares come with 10kg baggage allowance!

There are lots of options to get from Bangkok to Changmai. When I was there I spent a few weeks traveling up using local buses which made for a great experience but the way back I just caught a night coach which was really cheap. I just booked it the day before I left through the guest house I was staying in. Be careful though as there are apparently a few scams about the buses being great and not turning out to be.

As for accommodation, you can just turn up and find some. I didn't book anything the month I spent backpacking around. If one was full or not that great, it was only a short walk to the next one. I can recommend Jonnada in Changmai though. Stumbled across them and they were really clean, super friendly and so helpful!

Good luck, I loved Changmai!