Bangkok to Ko Samui and beyond.

I found the best way to Ko Samui is the overnight train from Bangkok to Surit Thani, then catch the fast-boat. Leaving Bangkok around 7:00 p.m. if I remember correctly will put you on Ko Samui by 11:00 the next morning. Second class sleepers are very comfortable and safe, much more so than an overnight bus. Busses will meet the train for transport to the boat.

From Ko Samui it is only a few hours to Phuket if you are into the tourist scene which is rather expensive. Other fantastic islands on the way south line the Andaman Sea down to the Malaysia border.

Penang and Kuala Lampur are well worthwhile stop-overs and break the trip to Singapore into rather short (half-day) hops by train or bus.