Well that's certainly discouraging. I will try to interline in July, but assuming that they won't do it, I've booked a later PG flight to REP (i.e. not the first possible one) which gives me plenty of cushion to clear immigration/customs at BKK, retrieve my bags and recheck. If they will interline, I'll just have a long wait at BKK in the Intl area (unless they'll let me hop an earlier flight which is unlikely, especially with checked bags). Maybe I can figure a way to convince TG to let me wait in the F lounge (arriving in TG F). Officially not allowed, but you never know.

Thanks again for the firsthand experience! ^