Thanks Sean.

I've checked Thai Airways (both Y and J), as well as flights to Phuket, Krabi and everywhere else I could find. All booked out. The only option available was via Singapore which would have been well over $1k which is just ridiculous.

The ferry, bus and flight combo on Nok Air looks like it would be 9 hours (!), plus an hour's drive from our hotel to the ferry. Doesn't sound like much fun but would be an ok last resort.

In the end I just booked a Bangkok Air flight direct from Samui to Utapoa (Pattaya airport) and will get a limo from there to the hotel in Bangkok.

Anyone got any recommendations for a very comfortable limo service from Pattaya to Bangkok?