Traveling to Samui on a budget for Thais

It is quite difficult for a number of Thais (including me!) to travel to Samui because the cost of traveling to Samui is expensive particulary getting there by flight (operated only by PG or Bangkok airways) which fly directly from Bangkok to Ko Samui ("Ko" means an island). The airfare is as high as the one of some international flights (i.e. some low-cost airlines).

If we do not go there by flight, how can we reach the island? .. ah! yes .. we can take a train from Bangkok to Surat Thani and then take a ferry from Surat Thani to Ko Samui. Indeed, it takes us one full day (more or less). Is there other way to get there for a shorter time but still on a budget?

There is an initiative created to reduce the high travel costs to Samui island by the main cooperation of TAT Samui island tourism, Thai Air Asia, a low-cost airline, and Seatrans Discovery. This is to encourage Thai tourists to come back to the island by offering a transport package (flight from Bangkok to Surat Thani by Thai Air Asia, land and sea transfer - from Surat Thani to the island - arranged by Seatrans Discovery).

This is their first try, a test package. If they get a good feedback especially during the low season, the project will become permanent.

I hope it will be.