Can't offer anything regarding your complaints about the fares. But with respect to economy cabin 744 vs A346, I have to say that unless you travel in groups of 3 or 4, A340 is the way to go. With the 3-4-3 seating in the 747, either me or the gf is going to be stuck in a center seat, with a stranger next to us. If traveling alone, I'm either in an aisle with possibly a couple next to me, or in a window, two seats away from the aisle with (possibly) a couple next to me.

In the A340, it's 2-4-2 seating. Much better for couples and singles.

Don't know who coined the term "Queen of the skies", but it always made me wonder what aircraft was the King? A-380?

Characterless tube? Subway carriage? Try riding in a Swearingen Metroliner. Noisy, and seats like sitting on a milk crate. Now that was like getting a ride in a sewer pipe with windows and wings!

As for the 744, this article helps explain a few things, and even quotes THAI Airways:
Boeing's 747-400: A faded queen of the skies?