Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus - 3 hours @ BKK - Lounge worth it?

Folks,

I've got a 3+ hour layover at BKK, arriving at 4:30am, coming up later this week. Incoming on C international, transiting to C domestic.

Is it, in your opinion, worth it to play the escalator trick and hit the C departure lounge, or simply head to the domestic terminal and utilize the lounge there?

Better yet, are the lounges even open at this time? Are the hours the same for all the TG lounges at BKK?

Thanks!

I would never recommend doing anything illegal, and as you're connecting to a domestic flight you're not supposed to enter the international departures area, BUT....

At the bottom of the escalator, they'll ask for your onward international boarding pass. If you haven't been issued with it as yet, you'll need to explain this to the person at the bottom of the escalator in order to go upstairs to the transfer desk. They may ask for a copy of your ticket, but if it's an eticket you may not have a printout.

The international C lounges offer better catering and shower facilities. If I had a choice, for 3 hours I would prefer to spend it in an international lounge rather than a domestic one.

Hope this answers your question. Just my $0.02.

OP was not asking for an ethics guide but simply posing a question.



At the bottom of the escalator, they'll ask for your onward international boarding pass. If you haven't been issued with it as yet, you'll need to explain this to the person at the bottom of the escalator in order to go upstairs to the transfer desk. They may ask for a copy of your ticket, but if it's an eticket you may not have a printout.



I've been asked umpteen billion times this very question and have never produced a BP nor a printout. Unless this has changed within the last two months, which I'll concede could indeed possible, willful indifference and two magical words, no, not 'open sesame', work as well as any BP.

I for one will be able to test out this scenario in the next week. It won't be before OP though.

Thanks, folks. Indeed, I need no ethics input here thank you very much. I've done that exact thing before and I fail to understand how it is "illegal", as in violation of a law which could result in civil or criminal penalties.

That aside...

The question was more about the lounges! Is the domestic lounge decent enough to warrant not going to the C departure lounge, and are they even open at this time?

Thanks, folks. Indeed, I need no ethics input here thank you very much. I've done that exact thing before and I fail to understand how it is "illegal", as in violation of a law which could result in civil or criminal penalties.

I know you have, we met one time. ;)



That aside...

The question was more about the lounges! Is the domestic lounge decent enough to warrant not going to the C departure lounge, and are they even open at this time?

No showers, no booze, poorer selection of food. If it's your only choice then it's the best option.

If it's your only choice then it's the best option.

:-: :-: :-:

For years a silent reader, but this philosophical statement is worth to start with my Post #1 ^

Thanks, folks. Indeed, I need no ethics input here thank you very much. I've done that exact thing before and I fail to understand how it is "illegal", as in violation of a law which could result in civil or criminal penalties.

I was not making an ethics point (or wasn't intending to, so sorry if it came across wrongly). Just didn't want to recommend anything which was illegal. My guess is there certainly IS a law about seeking unauthorised access to the post-security international departures concourse.

That it may be easy to do and completely understandable in your situation doesn't change the fact that it's probably not strictly lawful.

But in reference to your question: Which is the better lounge, international Royal Silk or domestic Royal Silk? As others have said, it's the former.

Happy travels.

May try the same trick, where the escalator located please?;)

Ok a similar question for you. I have a 1.45 connection to USM in C, from intl to domestic. Should I do the trick? I'd love a shower after the overnight intl flight but not sure if I have enough time.

PS is immigration/customs done in BKK?

thanks
goodo

Ok a similar question for you. I have a 1.45 connection to USM in C, from intl to domestic. Should I do the trick? I'd love a shower after the overnight intl flight but not sure if I have enough time.

PS is immigration/customs done in BKK?

thanks
goodo

1.45 - IMHO too short - unless you travel in a total off-peak time - today it took me under 3 minutes to pass INT-to-INT security (checked my watch;))

Immigration is in BKK

Customs is in USM (as long as the baggage is through checked)

BTW. I assume your BKK-USM flight is with TG? Then you do not wish to miss the flight - they only have 2 flights per day (IIRC).

Yes it's all with TG so bags will be throughchecked and yes only 2 flights a day.

Timing is 6.00-7.45am.

thanks
goodo

I know you have, we met one time. ;)



No showers, no booze, poorer selection of food. If it's your only choice then it's the best option.

Yes! And I see you'll be flying through but just a few days off. Too bad this time around. Thanks again for the tips.

Does anyone know where to find each lounges operating hours?

Yes! And I see you'll be flying through but just a few days off. Too bad this time around. Thanks again for the tips.

Does anyone know where to find each lounges operating hours?

5AM-1AM.

:-: :-: :-:

For years a silent reader, but this philosophical statement is worth to start with my Post #1 ^

Welcome to FT, Ecotrip!

5AM-1AM.

Thanks!

Lounges are not strictly open from 0500 to 0100. I've found the opening times can vary a bit. Anywhere from 0500 to 0520. But usually just one of the lounges on the C and E concourse will open early, with the other one opening much later, depending on how many people are in the opposite lounge.

Not that it matters for this discussion, but closing times also vary, and depend on when the last flight departs. If the last flight is early or delayed, closing times may vary.

I'm not sure exactly the opening time of the domestic lounge, but being there are flights that leave shortly after 0600, and domestic checkin opens at 0500 or earlier, I'd imagine the domestic opening time would be similar, 0500ish.

Knowing how much time to leave for getting back down, that can vary a lot. The maximum I've personally waited was 45 minutes. But usually it's much quicker. Just depends on if it's a busy day or not, and how many immigration officers are working there. Best to have a peak at the queues and judge your time needed accordingly.

Coming off a long haul flight, a shower always greatly appreciated by me, so I always try my best for get at least that at the international lounge. But I've not tried that this year, so don't know if it's still possible or not.

Lounges are not strictly open from 0500 to 0100. I've found the opening times can vary a bit. Anywhere from 0500 to 0520. But usually just one of the lounges on the C and E concourse will open early, with the other one opening much later, depending on how many people are in the opposite lounge.

Not that it matters for this discussion, but closing times also vary, and depend on when the last flight departs. If the last flight is early or delayed, closing times may vary.

I posted the 'stated' times. They do indeed vary but it's not based upon anything tangible. When the UA flight was at 6AM I believe the E lounge was opened earlier than 5AM, though it's questionable who was eligible to enter.

I'm not sure exactly the opening time of the domestic lounge, but being there are flights that leave shortly after 0600, and domestic checkin opens at 0500 or earlier, I'd imagine the domestic opening time would be similar, 0500ish.

Domestic check in opens at 5AM give or take a few minutes. The lounge opens the same time. With a 6AM flight one of my typical domestic routes I know the routine too well.

I've been asked umpteen billion times this very question and have never produced a BP nor a printout. Unless this has changed within the last two months, which I'll concede could indeed possible, willful indifference and two magical words, no, not 'open sesame', work as well as any BP.

I for one will be able to test out this scenario in the next week. It won't be before OP though.

How did your test go? We're arriving TG C connecting to TG C domestic and would love to use the int'l lounge.

The Thai Lounge in BKK is amazing. Be sure to do the Thai massage and relax. I wasn't relaxed enough to enjoy it because my flight was leaving in an hour and I wanted to eat some of their dumplings and stuff in the lounge.

How did your test go? We're arriving TG C connecting to TG C domestic and would love to use the int'l lounge.

No BP, or any other documentation, needed to access transit security. This does not mean I have any clue if a domestic BP will get you into the lounge.

On my most recent visit about 2 weeks ago, here's how it went...

Arrived on a TG international flight in F, transferring to domestic C. Name on sign and private buggy waiting at gate door upon arrival. Hopped on and asked the driver (TG employee I presume?) if possible to take me to the international F lounge instead of the domestic lounge. He radioed briefly, said no problem and off we went.

Before getting to the escalator, he told me in a hushed voice to NOT show my domestic BP at security or to anyone who asks. I thought that was ironic coming from an employee, but at the same time appreciated his help.

He personally escorted me up the elevator (vs the escalator), waving off the security person, walked through security with me and then continued, now on foot, to the international F lounge. A curious look by the lounge staff upon examining my domestic BP, but got in with no problem at all.

One wrinkle - was denied a massage due to domestic outbound ticket.

All of this took place at between 4:45 and 5:15am.

IMHO, totally worth it and probably my best lounge experience world wide.

One wrinkle - was denied a massage due to domestic outbound ticket.



IMO that is to be expected.

I've said before that the elevator security is there for one reason only; to ensure that domestic passengers don't head upstairs to the international areas. Your interaction seems to back up that belief.

IMO that is to be expected.

I've said before that the elevator security is there for one reason only; to ensure that domestic passengers don't head upstairs to the international areas. Your interaction seems to back up that belief.

Agreed.

And then per your comment last year when we met, this time around (higher season?) was auto upgraded to F on the 747 to HKT. Presumably because of the pricey D fare paid. Same treatment on the return then from BKK flew back in new TG C to TYO which was also quite nice.

We tried the trick on the morning of 15 Apr. Person at security asked for BP, we said 'transfer desk', they said 'e-ticket?', we said we didn't have.. then they asked where we were going.. We couldn't bring ourselves to lie to the person(no matter how silly the situation may be) so we answered 'Samui' and then took the 'elevator of shame' back down to arrivals level and waited half an hour for the domestic transfer immgration to open.

Domestic lounge certainly isn't as nice, but is decent... there is a hallway at the back that goes to the garden view area of the lounge which looks kind of nice(didn't see it until we left)

We tried the trick on the morning of 15 Apr....

I really wouldn't call it a trick for most pax. While I've never attempted this when connecting to a domestic flight, I've never been asked for anything to gain access to the 3rd floor in many many transits. Bummer you got turned back but it's possible you would have been turned back at the lounge anyway.

Before Oct (Sept?) 2010, when the transfer desk was on the 2nd floor, there would be easy segregation between departing int pax and everyone else. Now, you take your chances.