We arrived at the airport via taxi at 1515 (for an 1820 flight). Mrs sydunipete didn't quite enjoy Bangkok as much as I did (and always do). Despite finding a fantastic restaurant that I can highly recommend (Basil) she was keen to make our escape.
We found our way to the business class checkin, which I must say isn't terribly well marked. From memory the sign pointed to business class domestic. Regardless, we found it and sat on the nice stools available at the checkin desk.
Following checking formalities we were shown to dedicated security and emmigration gates. Rock star treatment made even better by the 30 min massage available to TG business class customers. It was a bit of a hike from the check in area, but once at the spa there was only a 10 minute wait.
If you do this, under no circumstances then go to the lounge opposite the spa. It's the one we used when transiting on the outward journey. Go back to the royal silk lounge between D8 and E concourse on Level 3. There are two lounges to choose from one marked Royal Silk and the other Royal Orchid. I asked at the desk what the difference was between the two and I was told they were the same but Royal Silk is bigger.
The lounge provided good views of D1-D8 gates including out HS-TGW painted in Star Alliance colours.
This lounge also provided the best selection of food I've seen in a lounge for many years including soup, thai red curry chicken, dumplings, several varieties of pork bun, sweet stuff, vegetarian and halal options. To wash it down there was beer, soft drinks and spirits, but no wine. The only real let down. There was plenty of space, not too crowded and the WiFi worked well.
There is a trap for the unwary. There is a last minute bag search just at the entrance to the gate looking for liquids over 100mL. We were told at duty free that we weren't able to buy more than 100mL, but because we had already been through security and there was no permanent inspection station at the gate I was tempted to give it a go and buy the cosmetics anyway. Lucky I didn't. Moral of the story is don't be a smarty-pants and trust what the duty free people say.
1740 is the advertised boarding time for this 1820 flight. Boarding actually commenced shortly before 1800 and upstairs was fully loaded 10 minutes after that. Priority boarding was organised.
Onboard : pillows, blankets, headphones and amenity kits already in the seat. Hot towels handed out then newspapers & magazines then champagne or orange juice. Noisy seat motors were most apparent. Upstairs business class 100% full.
This time no menu was handed out, just one hand written note handed out by the FA who came around taking orders. There were 5 choices available including a mix of Asian and Western. Breakfast was chosen without even the benefit of a handwritten list.
1825 (5 minutes after scheduled departure) the captain announced we were waiting on transit baggage causing a 10 - 15 minute delay, but that we should still arrive on time.
The safety briefing was pretty average, spoken on the PA with long gaps. The FA doing the demo upstairs looked worried. Not a good look! As soon as the late contained was loaded push back commenced about 20 minutes late. Champagne glasses were removed but cabin was not prepared fully for take off. Front row had TV screens deployed, I saw hot towels and judging by the sound of seat motors not everybody was in the upright position. During taxi, seats continued to be repositioned and cabin luggage bins were opened.
Take off at 1855 and seat belt sign turned off 6 minutes after that.
The wines were :
2010 Jacques Blanchet Chablis de Cru
Cotes di Nuites-Villages
Chateaux La Branne Medoc Cru Borgoise
After the meal service there was only about 4 hours for sleep before breakfast was served 1 hour 50 mins prior to landing. Dinner wasn't bad. Cold meat entree then a tasty chilli chicken and rice dish then cheese & fruit before a cheesecake dessert.
One advantage of travelling with Mrs sydunipete is I sometimes get two desserts. The cheesecake was good.
Immigration cards and good quality hot towels distributed.
As soon as the lights were on, breakfast was promptly served. Just a plain egg omelette, spinach, mushrooms and sausage.
Nothing really special except for the fruit which was intricately carved.
Breakfast was all cleared away with an hour to go. Purser came to upper deck to say hello to each passenger.
Very smooth landing at 0735 and gate at 0740. The whole flight was "as smooth as silk". Even with duty free shopping we were in a taxi by 0817 partly thanks to the express path voucher.