How long does it take to get from Ko Samet--on a Saturday--to DMK airport in Bangkok? Is it possible to make a 9:40 a.m. flight? Thanks!

Once you've made landfall, around Rayong, I would say it's around 2.5 hours to DMK. For 9.40 am flight you should be at the airport by 8.40 so if you start driving from Rayong at around 6.00 am you'll have plenty of time. Can you arrange for a boat that early?

As Hanuman says it is do-able, but whether you can get a boat at 6 am I don't know.
No chance of just taking a later flght?
That would be much more relaxing without any worries.

Remember that any delay that causes you to miss that flight could mess up your plans.

i would go the nite before and stay at one of the now inexpensive hotels around the airport

Here's the problem...we are flying on to Chiang Rai. And the flights are at 9:40a.m. or 6:40 p.m. Rats!
There was a 1:40p.m. flight, but it appears to be cancelled..

Have you checked flights out of BKK? There are actually more flights to CM & CR out of BKK than DMK - and BKK cuts at least 30 minutes off your commute time!

I just checked the Thair air flights...only from DMK and only two per day...

So they do.

BUT Air Asia has THREE flights a day to Chiang Rai out of BKK. One leaves at 11:40, which would be a rather more comfortable time to make from Samet.

I'm totally clueless. Is Asia Air a decent airlines--I'm also a little reticient about anything other than reliable, safe, etc. air carriers! Thank you for the info.

Air Asia is a budget airline. It's safety record has been fine. They have a baggage limit that is rather low and will charge you for overage. They have the usual budget airline cattle call for non-assigned seating, but they also have an option where you can pay extra to board first and choose your seat. Given your options, It sounds like the Asia Air option is best. I'd go for it, pay extra to board first, and pay any over limit baggage charges. With the extras, it will likely be about the same price as the full-service airlines, Thai and Bangkok Air.

If I'm not mistaken, Air Asia now charges for all checked baggage. You can select the number of bags you will check when booking the tickets on-line.

Their safety record has been rather good, and in the last couple of years, their on-time record has also been okay.

Michael, are they now charging per bag rather than by weight?

I think bags are still limited to 15kg, but you can now elect to check more than one when you book your ticket. When you book, it defaults to one bag, but if you select no bags to check, it will knock off 150 Baht or so from your ticket.

Last time I came back from Phuket, my bag was a little over (dive gear wasn't completely dry yet) but they didn't charge me.

It's also interesting to note that AA now also offers flight insurance when you book.

Just managed to get into their web site (was having problems when I wrote the last reply). Checked bags are 50 Baht per bag per flight (for BKK - CNX). According to the web site, it will cost you double that amount if you wait until you get to the airport.

Thank you for your wonderful advice. Now, can someone just wave a wand (or if dogster, a tail) and smooth out thai political situation...Carol

Thanks for that info, Michael.

Well, carol, the Thais have a new prime minister. I hope and believe things will calm down now.