Trajan

Yes, I believe you are right ThaiKiwi. These are relatively recent rule changes at the Bangkok airport.

For the 2009 Christmas holidays, I was flying Thai business class out of Thailand and noticed (on my exit from the Concourse D Royal Silk lounge on my way to the Thai Spa lounge just across the hall), a very large sign announcing the new rules..

In the new rules, I remember that Star Alliance Golds must use designated Thai lounges other than the largest Thai Royal Silk lounge in Concourse D (the one right after check-in)....this had the pleasant effect of substantially thinning out the previously experienced oppressive crowds in the Concourse D Thai lounge.....

I would imagine that similarly only Thai First passengers can now use the Thai First lounge in Concourse D (with Star Alliance First passengers being directed to the First Class sub-section of the Royal Orchid lounge
in Concourse E West)....

[[after the Thai spa head and shoulders massage, I hopped over to the SQ lounge (in Concourse A) for some dim sum and cognac and another massage --foot reflexology -- (got addicted) at the pay spa (forgot the name)....]]

Trajan

I agree, that sounds fair

Trajan

by the way, how does,

(a) the First Class sub-section of the Royal Orchid lounge
in Concourse E West

compare to

(b) the main Thai First class lounge in Concourse D?

Ive only tried the main Thai First Class lounge (and didnt want to trek way out to Concourse E just to try that one)....

BobBHX

Never been in the E pier west First Class section so not sure about amenities there but I would be disappointed if TG stopped First Class pax from LH, LX etc from using the D First Lounge.

I was in the First Lounge at the beginning of the month (flying TG F) and I saw people being escorted from the lounge by staff wearing the pale blue uniforms from the service that LX uses for F pax. I therefore assume that non TG pax are still accessing the F Lounge. The LH website is still showing that LH F pax can use the TG F Lounge.

I note that the C pier lounges are off limits to *A pax. When flying in C on LH, LX, SK or TK the flights have always left from D, E or F and I have always used the E west lounge. Do any non-TG flights leave from B or C? If so it's a massive walk from the lounge to the gate.

LeisureFirst

On a recent BKK departure I was just taken to the TG First Class lounge by buggy and apart from a one-hour trip across the way for a massage, didn't leave it until I was escorted to the gate. I'm much more familiar with OW rules, and had I been on a OW carrier might have tried some more ambitious lounge-hopping.

But your comment got me thinking. If it is a real "trek" to the other lounges, including the SG lounge, could an F pax get a buggy over there?

Trajan

*the SQ lounge in Concourse A is a short walk from the Concourse D THAI lounges (both Royal Silk and First)

*the Royal Orchid Spa lounge for the massage is like a 2 second walk from the Concourse D THAI lounges (both Royal Silk and First)

*however, the distance between the THAI First lounge in Concourse D is quite a trek if you also want to visit the First Class sub-section of the THAI Royal Orchid lounge in Concourse E West........not sure they offer First Class buggy service from the Concourse D First lounge all the way to that First lounge in Concourse E West.....on the contrary, I understand they only offer buggy service from the First lounge to your departing gate...

mahajanvikas

Well, I read the website at:
http://www.thaiair.com/thai-services...rst-lounge.htm

and it states:

Royal First Lounge at Concourse D, Level 3 - 1,400 sq.m. has been allocated for Royal First Class passengers with the capacity to accommodate 174 passengers at one time.

Opening hours: 05:00 am. – 01:00 am.
Facilities:

* VIP Rooms
* Private Corners
* A la Carte Dining Room
* Wi-fi Internet Corner
* Slumber Rooms
* Shower Suites
* Toilets & Mother Care
* Check-in Facility

Lounge Access :

* Royal First Class passengers departing same day on TG flight
o One guest allowed
* First Class passengers departing same day on any Star Alliance operating flight
o One guest allowed

Aussie_flyer

Other first class *A pax can use the main First lounge, you just don't get the buggy service and spa treatment that TG pax get.

LeisureFirst

When I said "one hour trip", I meant the massage took one hour. You are right it is a short walk - more than 20 seconds than two though as they are not directly opposite each other.

I was escorted (with another F pax) from the lounge to the gate. There was no buggy but the walk wasn't far - we were escorted past all the lines and right along the jetway onto the plane.

I got the buggy treatment from the check-in area to the lounge and seemed positively discouraged from going elsewhere. When I said I wanted to buy some medicine, they suggested I ask at the lounge if they had any in their First Aid box.

RoninTech

We are arriving at BKK in a few days from FRA via TG F at 6:20am and departing a few hours later to Hat Yai via TG C (no F seats to HDY). Anyone have any guesses as to what to expect for lounge access while we wait?

Thai-Kiwi

You could hang out in the F lounge on arrival, and then make your way to the domestic transfer BUT I'm not sure what will be happening to your checked luggage.

HDY used to be an international destination, and so you could clear immigration/customs there - but this was in 1987 flying SIN-HDY ! Others here will have more recent/relevant experience, although I suspect it will relate to HKT/CNX/KBV.

I'm curious too, what is the attraction in HDY ? - times are troubled in the south....

Cheers, TK

RoninTech

HDY was an international as of a couple of years ago when we checked everything all the way through from Calgary. Looks like it still is. Last year we had to transfer to Don Muang (won't miss that!), so went through customs in BKK. Times may be troubled as usual in the south but that's the closest *A airport to where our version of paradise is and the furthest from the old, fat farangs with young Thai girls hanging off their arms.







Even without the beauty, I'd probably go back just for the curry squid!

Thai-Kiwi

Hmmmm, and now I'm thinking where, exactly, this little slice of paradise is?

I'm picking west coast ... Koh Turatao ?

RoninTech

I was just kidding, it doesn't exist. Nothing to see here folks....

Thai-Kiwi

yeah, right....

(Local brewer Tui produces advertisment with heavy irony and the phrase 'yeah right' ... http://www.aucklanddailyphoto.com/20...ay-yeah-right/ and someone's contribution http://www.netpotential.co.nz/Portal...-Right-Tui.jpg

I recall that when first visiting Thailand in 1985, I wondered how a few places would look after the tourist hoardes discovered them and arrived, encouraged by greedy Thai and international 'developers'.

The results are not pretty...so enjoy for the moment !

Cheers, TK

The remaining coastal beauty of Thailand will remain untouched. Yeah, right!