The bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai was very nice (9 hours 30 minutes), I slept like a little snoring baby. The bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai was nice also (2 hours 45 minutes) but did have the slight smell of urine in the air. The bus from Chiang Rai to Weaw's home (2 hours) was difficult! Packed to capacity, no A/C, windows open, dust flying, no place to put my feet, and 7 men standing directly in front of me.
Am amazed at how cheer full Thais can be in such a difficult situation, things that would make me go bonkers they just smile at and accept. Standing for 2 hours on a dusty, hilly and bumpy road but still smiling and joking!