[monkeyspanker]

check on flights from China to Thailand first as there isnt as many as you might think, depends where in China you are.
Beijing-Bkk is 4 1/2 hours plus 1 hour time difference.

China flight times are crap, and expensive ( i have been doing them every 2 months since sept 2009)
I have found a deal with Sri Lanken out of Beijing but it doesnt go every day and i still have to get from the local shithole im based in to there.
Another option is via Hongkong but it will eat into your away time.

its still closer than uk though, i would try and plan a 4 day weekend to give you a little time to relax