Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - First Time YYZ-BKK - which connection would you choose?

I can do arrive HKG at 7:00 a.m. and leave for BKK at 8:55 a.m. or 2:20 p.m. - I assume the 2 hour connection is adequate time-wise with CX, but to shower and eat and so forth would it be worth it for a 7 hour rest stop in HKG? Or just press on?

Personal preference though I'd connect to BKK on the 1st available flight. You can use the BC lounge which isn't as nice in some ways as the FC lounge. Even if you could, 7 hours is too much time. I think the BKK flights use the gates in the 40s so yuou'd want to use the "pier" lounge in that case. Transfer, assuming you have onward boarding pass, usually involves just security rescreening so make your way to the lounge, shower, eat, etc. before the next flight.

I travel between North America and MNL almost once a month and always arrive HKG so here is my two cents. The shops at HKG would suggest you take the 7 hour layover. 2 hours is more than enough for a good shower and coffee before heading to BKK. See if like BBK you could get a good rub and "whatever" then I could see you thinking twice.

I'd take the 8:55 a.m. flight. Seven hours is way too long.