My friend is travelling Boxing Day to Phuket from Brisbane. All flights are around $2000 at lease one way (busy time).
We found a way though to do it on the cheap:
Brisbane - Darwin
VB (staff pass)
Darwin - Bali Air Asia
Bali - Phuket Air Asia
All coming to under $300AUD!
Even Tiger ex PER via SIN was $1500 one way!
All flights have a wait of four hours before the next (which is probably wise anyway) but for someone when money is an issue I think we did well getting her on her way. V Australia staff travel was capped for around this date so I couldn't put her on a direct flight for the way there. Pretty annoyed as there's seats but they won't tell me how many staff are booked/what the cap is. Unnecessary secrets, would've saved me time trying otherwise
I would certainly use Air Asia between Bali and Phuket - 2 holidays in one! Well done Air Asia (to the rescue)!