In the past I skipped Phuket because of the too expensive flights. Thanks to the LCC I could go there ( Airasia was than 300 baht one way) But becoming older, I rather skip the LCC’s because of all the hassle and… extra’s such as luggage, food, boarding pass printing,…
In general, I wouldn't bother flying domestically from Bangkok to somewhere like Phuket. You're better off making a road trip out of it by renting a car in Bangkok and driving down there and back. Now with that said, it depends on what kind of tourist you are. If you don't live in Thailand, are coming to the country for tourism and mainly to spend time in Phuket and can't fly there directly from abroad, then flying via Bangkok makes perfect sense but in that case fly THAI or Bangkok Airways not a low cost carrier.
@andersfant4997 I've never flown to Phuket or down south actually at least not in my adult life. Maybe we flew down there, when I first visited as a toddler, but that would have been the only time. Bangkok to Phuket by car takes around 10 hours . You can also breakup the journey by spending the night somewhere on route.
I have done this stretch by rental car from Cha Am, so yes, near Hua Hin. It took the entire day, just with some toilet/ food/ coffee stops. It is not a nice ride. Certainly not after the junction at Chumphon. And take into account: go & return! It. I paid the fee to leave the car in Phuket. And we flew back to BKK. So if you would do this with touristic stops - as suggested - it will take 4 days.
Thai announced in may that they sold six 777-200, identification numbers HS-TJA to HS-TJH. Dont know if it was their intire fleet of the model-or if they kept six others?