We're flying from Bali to BKK this Saturday and hoping that someone can provide advice in transiting BKK. Arriving via Air Asia and connecting to Thai Air to LAX, Royal Silk class. Assume that we will have to collect our checked bags in order to get them to Thai. Does that mean that we have to go through the whole immigration/customs area in order to check in with Thai? We have a fair amount of time (3 hrs) but we'd like to be able to have as much time in the Thai lounge as possible. Logistics and directions would be most appreciated.
The good thing is that since you are flying Royal Silk class to LAX, you can use not only the TG dedicated aisle check-in area, but also the dedicated outbound immigration and security area which is only for TG F and J passengers, and never seems to have much of a wait--a considerable improvement over the general exit immigration areas.
However, I suspect that (assuming Air Asia flight is on time and no big queues at incoming immigration) you will eat up an hour to get from inbound flight through all the formalities, then back around to the lounge. Maybe not enough time for your free 30-minute massage at the Spa?