the nwa kid knows of what he speaks.

fly, air asia www.airasia.com offers cheap flights. there may be others too. try www.bangkokair.com

if i remember right, the trip from bangkok by bus to phuket is like 12 hours or more (it by the way was part of an episode of "the amazing race"). The airfare is $40 or less and it may be much less if booked a little in advance.