just did trip to CM flew with bangkok air from bangkok always find them good for internal flights in thailand.(
http://www.bangkokair.com/)
Could not find money changer in domestic terminal so be careful that you have some baht on you when arriving.
Taxi on left end of terminal 120 baht to hotel fixed price.
I stayed at rydges anmora nice hotel,central right at Tha Phae gate short walk to night markets and beer bars, 1500 baht from asiaroom.com,joiner fee 600 baht and seem to treat your friend well (took GF with me so no joiner fee)
On the bar scene didnt do much looking but was drinking at bar near night markets with man made cliff for rock climbing, was good to have a laugh at them trying to climb it.(250 baht for 2 hours)more i drank more I laughed.
Also the Red Lion Pub in Loi Kroh rd was good for a feed and a few ales,Riverside had live reggae music,60s hits and was pretty packed lots of tourists but still o/k.
Art cafe was good for western feed with amazing menu took a week to read it !,Mikes Burgers next to Rygdes hotel had terrific hamburgers and stopped often there for hot dogs late at night.