k and thanks for the reply. Flight cost - Penang or KL will probably be your best cost wise. Penang would be my personal recommendation - really nice place, if you want a tourist visa you can pay an agent to do it for you for and not a lot of money. Stay on Chulia Road, hire one (Ive used Jim's before but it's up to you) and while I like KL as well, Penang is cheaper.
Maybe he's in Hat Yai, maybe Udon Thani, maybe Chiang Mai, or maybe you're a dopey [redacted] that thinks that Bangkok is the only place in Thailand perhaps :)
Interesting - I wasnt aware PP needed bank account proof of funds for a SETV, never heard if this, nonwhere else in the region does (and I know from experience :) ). Is this a unique PP thing?