Hi. me and my girlfiend plus two more couples are off on a DIY Thai adventure over Easter 2008 (19th Mar - 9th April). We've booked flights and our basic itiniery is Manc - Bangkok, Bangkok - Phuket....then Koh Samui - Bangkok, Bangkok (2 night) - Manc. We're wondering how to get from Phuket to Koh Samui, should we go for the easy flight or as a freind has suggested, is it possible to hire cars are drive across?

Also, we want to keep the holiday fairly cheap and soak up the beach and beach huts but also we want some culture too and maybe some luxury in Bangkok. Any recommendations that may be a bit off the beaten track?

Do the full moon parties still go on? If so, what are they like and more to the point, what are the police like?!?! I've heard horror stories about the police stopping yuou and planting drugs when searching bags, then demanding money or else you get arrested....anyone else heard of this?

This is my first post so thanks for read and/or replying......Paul