This looks great! I am going to Thailand next January and I am super excited to check it out. I have heard amazing things about it and I can't wait to experience it myself.
We will do some backpacking there and going in the jungle for the first couple of days. After that it will probably be just roaming around and enjoying whatever is on our path as we go south towards Malaysia.
Maybe we can even visit your friend in Koh Lanta Isand!