I am a 30 something going on a first time trip to Asia. I am starting in Singapore then flying onward to Thailand.
(1)Are there any islands that are direct flights from Singapore? I am trying to minimize the airport connections and travel time.
(2) I will be at the beach for 2.5 days then I am meeting friends in Bangkok. What beaches are good for weather during early November?

I am a beach lover; my favorites so far are in Greece. Also, I am looking for something not too remote since my time is limited in the islands.

Many thanks

There are direct flights from Singapore to Phuket. In early November, you might get rain, or you might have beautiful weather. It's the end of the monsoon season in Phuket.

Phuket has beaches that are busy and lively (lots of bars and restaurants) and ones that are quiet and isolated and many in between. So choose your beach area depending on what you are looking for.

There are almost hourly flights from Phukat to Bangkok.

There are also non-stops from Singapore to Samui...but Samui is typically rainy in November. You can compare rainfall between Phuket and Samui here http://thailandforvisitors.com/south/phukvsam.html

Having been to beaches in Crete, Santorini, Naxos, Samos, Hydra, Aegina and suburban Athens...I have to say that most of the Thai beaches frequented by tourists are not as nice overall. They are either crowded with people or unfortunately littered....the nicest ones are in front of the top hotels and resorts because they are cleaned every morning. There are some off the beaten path places that are stunning...but with 2 1/2 days I'd not venture that way.

That said, I found the beach in Khao Lak (1 hour from Phuket airport, same distance as many of Phuket's beach resort areas) to be very nice....long, lots of shells, decorated with large boulders, and pretty nice sand. There are some very nice resorts/hotels there, as well as some very reasonable places. The town of Khao Lak is small with some restaurants and the usual tourist shops, all very walkable. November is heading into high season, but you should still be able to get a good deal on a room.

You can fly from Samui direct to Phuket ( 1 hr 40 ) or to Krabi ( about same flying time or to Koh samui ( about 1 hr 50 ), big difference is that budget airlines fly from Singapore to Phuket and krabi but to Samui it's only bangkok Airways and that can be expensive.

If you are then meeting friends in Bangkok then if you fly to Phuket it's cheap to choose from the budget carriers from there to Bangkok, budget airlines also fly from Krabi to bangkok but more choice from Phuket.

Thanks for the replies about Khao Lak. Has anyone stayed at a nice hotel/resort in Khao Lak that is priced around $100USD/night or less? I know the prices change in peak season. I will be traveling in Nov.

I understand Khao LaK is within walking distance to the local restaurants and other activities. Is this a spot for snorkeling and sea kayaking? I found a mention on the board of a sea kayak trip out of Phuket.

Bangkok Airways Discovery Pass might make the most sense for you if you go to the Phuket side. You need a minimum of three legs and they do fly from Singapore to Phuket and Phuket to BKK. Check out the rules for it on theie website.