Thats quite a bit of travel in a short trip!

If you can afford it, it may be best to fly one of the legs like Phuket to Samui or visa versa,about $120 AU inc taxes but cheaper if you book yourself on the net through Bangkok Air as it will be less the T/A booking fee.

Once you have been to Krabi and Samui you may not want to return to Phuket other than to fly out.

I think do the minibus option,they pick you up at your hotel and take you to where you want to go without having to wait around,although it can take a bit of time for them to do all the pickups before they actually head off to your destination.

You can do Phuket to Krabi on a boat but i think its via Phi Phi island,which is not a bad thing!

If you find a place you like then stay there longer,you wont miss out as there will be more Thai trips I am sure.

Den