Asian Adventure! Thai First (and AK/K6/VN) to Yangon, KL, AngkorWat & Vientiane

ARJ85 · Aug 20, 12, 8:00 am

Hello and welcome to my newest tripreport.

After a few short trips earlier this year now i finally had the time for a longer vacation. During this trip i visited the last countrys of continental south east asia i havent been to (Myanmar & Laos) as well as some others i already visited some time ago (Malaysia & Cambodia) And of course also experienced a new airline (initially i was hoping for two new airlines - more on that later)

As you maybe already know from my previous tripreports i will not only focus on the airlines (and hotels) - but also would like to share a few pictures from the places i visited with you. If you have any further questions about anything i didn`t cover - just ask.

In this tripreport you can read about:

Lufthansa Business Class MUC-FCO

Thai Airways First Class FCO-BKK

Thai Airways Business Class BKK-RGN

The Garden City of the East: Rangun

Governors Residence Hotel in Rangun

Air Asia Economy Class RGN-KUL

The Petronas Towers (and a little more about Kuala Lumpur of Course)

Air Asia Economy Class KUL-REP

Siem Reap and the temples of Angkor Wat

Cambodia Angkor Air REP-PNH

a few hours in Phnom Penh

Vietnam Airlines PNH-VTE

two days spent in Vientiane

Thai Airways Business Class VTE-BKK

Thai Airways First Class BKK-ZRH

Lufthansa Business Class ZRH-MUC

ARJ85 · Aug 20, 12, 8:03 am

You are probably wondering why i flew via Rome when there is a direct flight MUC-BKK with Thai Airways. Well the reason is quite simple - the timing of the Rome flight worked better: The flight from Munich arrives in the afternoon in Bangkok - whereas the one from Rome arrives early in the morning - with a perfect connection to the flight to Rangun so i arrived there early enough to have almost the whole day in town.

But lets start with my flight from Munich to Rome. The flight was on a A321. As with all narrowbodys Lufthansa uses the same seats for business and economy on this plane - the difference is that the middle seat in each row stays empty (and gets equipped with a small table)

Sadly the legroom is as narrow as back in economy. Thats not realy a problem on a short flight like MUC-FCO - but when you consider that they use the same aircraft also on flights to Cairo or Tel Aviv you really wonder if thats appropriate for business class.

The main difference between business and economy on these short flights is catering. As you can see in the picture above drinks are served in real glasses instead of the plastic cups you get in Economy.

We were also served a full breakfast...
(The breadrolls and croissants etc. come in a separate basket where you can choose whatever you like)

...consisting of two courses, a selection of cold cuts

and a cake with a few fruits

ARJ85 · Aug 20, 12, 8:07 am

After arriving at Rome i first visited the Alitalia Lounge (Thai Airways doesn`t have an own lounge at FCO - so passengers can use the Alitalia Lounge instead) But i didn`t stay very long there - the lounge is nothing special - and what i really didn`t like: it is somewhere in the basement with no windows.

So after a quick coffee in the lounge i went back upstairs to watch my plane getting ready.

Thai uses a 747-400 on the FCO-BKK route. And after booking i learned that this route is often served with the old first class (14 recliner seats instead of the usual 10 lie-flat seats) But as usual i was lucky and got the regular bird.

But i did get one shock when boarding: I was told that my checked in luggage hasn`t arrived yet and nobody knows where it is. As i would stay only two nights at most at each of my stops (and some flights aren`t daily) i was sure my luggage would follow me around asia for the next days without catching up to me. But thankfully it did turn up and the gate manager informed me about it a few minutes before departure.

The first class on Thai Airways 747 is in the front of the cabin. Four single seats on each side of the plane and a pair of seats in the middle.

Service started immediately when i sat down - pre-departure Champagne (Veuve Clichot Rose Vintage 2004) was served together with the signature Thai Airways Orchid.

Accompanied by a bowl of nuts

As it was already lunchtime the meal service started soon after takeoff.

First we got a few canapes.

Followed by White Sturgeon Caviar with Garnitures

The first course consisted of:
Smoked Salmon Rolled with Caprino Cheese Mousse and Horseradish
Marinated Prawns, Mango and Coriander Sauce
Pate de Foie Gras

For the Salad you could choose your dressing, either the Parmesan Dressing i took

or a Red Vinegar Vinaigrette Dressing.

As Main Course you had a choice between:

Beef Fillet with Pesto and Herbs Crust, Brandy Sauce, Buttered Potatoes, Steamed Broccoli and Carrot.

Seafood Ragout with Fettuccine Pasta

Lamb Mussaman Curry

served with steamed Thai Hom Mali Rice, Stir fried Mixed Vegetables

Stir fired Chicken with Ginger and Chinese Muschroom, Steamed Thai Hom Mail Rice, Sauteed Spinach with Oyster Sauce.

To finish the meal there was also a choice of Cheeses and Fruits on offer.

And of course a few dessert options:
Caprese Cake, Limoncello Liquor Sauce
Assorted Chocolate
Tea, Coffee, Espresso, Cappuccino

As i was really full at this point i skipped dessert and only had a coffee

I only had water during the dinner - but if anybody is interested in the wine list i can of course post that also.

When reading Tripreports about Thai Airways you get the impression that the quality of the crew can be quite different. On my flight they where really great. Unfortunately i can`t say the same about the Meal - don`t get me wrong - it was good - but somewhow you expect something special when flying first class. Thai Airways also offeres pre ordered Meal - maybe i will try one of these next time.

Now about the entertainment system. It is of course AVOD with a selection of Movies (new ones and classics) not hundreds or thousands as other airlines but certainly enough to keep you entertained during the flight. And of course also TV-Series - and not only one or two episodes from each.

I slept really good for the next few hours and woke up about 2 hours from Bangkok. Time for breakfast.

Together with a cup of coffee i had Fresh Fruits

The whole range of Fruit Yoghurt, Plain Yoghurt, Cereals, Bread, Butter, Jam etc. would also have been available of course.

As main course for the breakfast where 4 different choices available

Scrambled Eggs with Emmenthal Cheese, Sauteed pork Sausage, Macaire Potatoes, Sauteed Champignon Mushrooms with Parsley

Spanish Omelet, Grilled Pork Sausage, Baked Beans, Grilled Tomato with Chopped Rosemary

Instant Noodle Soup with Chinese Barbecue Pork

Soft Boiled Rice with Accompaniments (Oriental Style)

Landing in Bangkok was on time and immediately after leaving the Airport i was greeted by the Thai Airways Ground Personal - more about the experience at the Airport in the next chapter.

ARJ85 · Aug 20, 12, 8:10 am

Where the on-board experience didn`t stand out when comparing it to my other first class flights with different airlines i had so far - the transfer service at the airport did really impress me.

You almost don`t have to do anything by yourself - you get picked up at the aircraft - driven from there to the Lounge (or immigration if BKK is your destination) and get escorted from the lounge back to your next flight.

The only akward part was that you have to go through security once - and there is no dedicated priority line - your driver simply skips the line with you behind him - and everybody in the line wondering whats going on.

The lounge was really quite so early in the morning. There is a nice menu with different meal and drink options available, but as i just had breakfast on board i just had a coffee and some nuts.

Thai also offers different massages for first class travellers - but i didn`t have the time to try any of them.

For the short flight from Bangkok to Yangon Thai uses a A330-300 widebody. As this aircraft is only used for short and medium range inter-asia routes there is no first class on board this plane. The Business Class Cabin is in a 2-2-2 layout with recliner seats.

Despite the short flight time there is a full meal service:

First Course
Fresh Fruits

Main Course
Stir-fried Rice Chicken with Pineapple

Dessert
Vanilla Danish Pastry

Unfortunately i fell asleep soon after takeoff - so the only picture i have from this flight is when i woke up during decent into Yangon airport.

I had arranged my visa a few weeks earlier through the Myanmar Embassy in Berlin (i think by now there is also Visa on Arrival possible - but only for transits) and so it didn`t take long to pass immigration.

ARJ85 · Aug 20, 12, 8:12 am

After leaving the airport the first thing i noticed was this sticker on my taxi-drivers window:

The second thing was how his seat is kept upright:

As you probably guessed the traffic is not that much different from other huge citys in South East Asia.

But there is one thing i have only seen in Myanmar so far: The traffic is on the right side of the street - but the driver also sits on the right side of the car! Myanmar is also the only country in that region where i didn`t see any kind of Tuk-Tuk on the streets. Instead you have taxis, buses, and this kind of pickup:

After checking in at the hotel i first visited Yangon`s most famous landmark - the Shwedagon Pagoda. A 99m high golden Pagode built on a hill in the city. Around the Shwedagon Pagoda is a huge area covered with other smaller pagodas and shrines.

Of course also lots of Buddha Statues are around - and most of them with a circle of flashlights around their heads.

I don`t speak or write burmese - but i am pretty sure i now at least know how to write: „Don`t strike the giant gong!“

I enjoyed the area around the pagoda especially because of all the little details you could see...

...for a good look at the Pagoda itself i had to walk a few meters

I took this picture from the shore of Kandawgyi Lake - a lake to the east of the Pagoda.
On the east end of the Lake you can see the Karaweik - a replica of a Burmese Royal Barge.

The shore of the lake is divided into different parks (South, East) for which you have to pay an entrance fee. (But i am actually not sure if that only is for tourists)

From the Lake i started walking south towards the city center, past the railway station
(The city really deserves its nickname „Garden City“)

here a few more impressions from the streets

The south of the city lies on the shore of Yangon River

This are just a few pictures - there is of course a lot more to see in this city, like the Sule Pagoda for example, but let me end this chapter with two more pictures of the Shwedagon Pagoda.

LH738 · Aug 20, 12, 8:27 am

Great report (+ pictures) so far. I'm looking forward to the next parts.

ARJ85 · Aug 20, 12, 8:27 am

During my time in Yangon i stayed in a nice little Hotel called „The Governors Residence“

It lies in a quite sidestreet a few minutes from the city center. A covered walkway is leading from the entrance to the main building.

To the left from this walkway is the pool.

The whole hotel lies in a small park. The Main building in the center contains the reception/lobby, restaurant and giftshop on the ground floor

And the open Air bar on the first floor

The whole building (actually all the buildings in the hotel) is build to look like it was build during colonial times.

Behind the main building is another small park, surround by a few more buildings with the hotel rooms.

Also the furniture in the room is in the same style as the rest of the hotel.

I really enjoyed my stay in this hotel. The Location is great - not far from all the sights in the city - but still quite. The service was very good - as was the food in the restaurant.

ARJ85 · Aug 20, 12, 8:54 am

At first i didn`t plan to visit Kuala Lumpur - after Yangon i wanted to go to Siem Reap next. But both are citys that are not so easy (and cheap) to get there. But thanks to Air Asia there is at least one city you can almost always use as a hub when flying around asia: Kuala Lumpur. So i booked two flights on Air Asia - one in the afternoon from Rangun to Kuala Lumpur - and one two days later early in the morning from KL to Siem Reap. Giving me one full day in Kuala Lumpur. And also maximising my time in Yangon and Siem Reap.

Air Asia is Asias biggest LCC - famous among other things for the huge order of 200 Airbus A320 NEO they placed last year.

It is a typical LCC - so when booking your flight remember one thing: You get what you pay for.

Aside from the flight itself (and carry on baggage of course) almost everything is extra - but the prices are really reasonable!
In my case i paid for:
-> check in baggage 10$ for 20 kg (prices are in 5kg steps)
-> pre reserved seat 3$
-> a meal 3,24$

Online check in already opens a few weeks bevore departure - so i was able to print all the necessary boarding passes already at home. During online check-in you have again the chance to add or change your extras - for example if you need more luggage.

Flying with an LCC of course doesn`t give you lounge access - so i had to wait in the departure Hall of Yangon Airport - which somehow looks like every other airport...

Air Asia uses only A320 with the usual 3-3 layout - and the legroom is as you would expect from a LCC.

The premium seats (the first few rows and the exit rows) can only be reserved for an aditional fee - those seats are marked by red headrests (instead of black/grey ones) in the Aircraft

I also prebooked a hot meal for this flight (there are about 15 different meals available) From the available choices i decided for the Chicken Satay.

ARJ85 · Aug 20, 12, 9:12 am

I had a whole day in Kuala Lumpur. And as a Skyscraper-Nerd it was obvious where i would start my tour - at the Petronas Towers of course.

Still the highest twin-towers in the world.
Behind the towers is a park with a fountain.

My next stop was the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park

And then another one of my hobbys - i like to visit places where movies where filmed - can you guess which one was filmed here:

The best view over Kuala Lumpur is not from the Petronas Towers - but from the KL Tower. A TV-Tower on a hill in the center of the city. You have a great view over the city including the Petronas Towers from up there.

And here a few more pictures of the Petronas Towers.

The highest skybridge in the World

And a last view over the skyline bevore going back to my hotel.

ARJ85 · Aug 20, 12, 10:02 am

As many other Airports Kuala Lumpur also has not only one terminal but two. What makes Kuala Lumpur special is, that those two terminals are not connected to each other. In fact they are 20 km on the road apart. You can say they are two different airports that share the same runway.
Most airlines use the main Terminal - but all the LCC (like Air Asia) use the LCCT.

As the name suggests its a terminal simply build for what a LCC needs. So there are no lounges and huge shopping areas with all the famous brands. Also the architecture is quite simple.

Of course there are also no Airbridges - and also no Bustransfer to the plane - there are simply covered walkways to the aircrafts.

The flight was of course again on an A320.

And as it was breakfast time i pre-booked the pancakes for this flight.

The food was again really good. To be honest it was better than anything i got on similiar flights in Europe even with full service carriers like Lufthansa or British Airways! And that for only 3$