Phuket has an international airport and can usually be reached directly from many major Asian and some European cities - but through Bangkok if not directly.  Though Phuket is only a short flight from Bangkok, it is a long 12-14 hour bus ride if you choose to take a bus from Bangkok (not recommended!).  Flights to and from Bangkok are not expensive, particularly now that several smaller regional airlines are competing for business.  Flights can be found for as low as US$30 or even less sometimes from Nok Air, Air Aisa, Phuket Air, Thai Orient and perhaps a couple new companies by the time this page gets posted on the website.  The standard carriers are, of course, Thai Air and Bangkok Air.  A new regional from Singapore, Tiger Air, also has inexpensive flights and Silk Air, Singapore Air´s little sister, also has reasonably priced fares.