I concur with the OP.
Last year I wrote on a Thailand related forum regarding a question food at BKK airport that I first check in around 18h at BKK after landing domestic and hit the international buffet at the nearby Novotel airport hotel (there is a walkway but I prefer the free minibus), cost is now (2016) 1050THB + drinks or 26 euro.
There are many lousy eateries at level 3, not worth the 500B+ it will cost you.

Never had appalling food at airline lounges neither.

I got many angry reactions from Y passengers praising Y food....and calling me crazy too spend that much money on food before getting free food on the plane...

One exception though was an AC return flight BRU-YUL where service and food was far above the usual Y crap. But I had to unload 2kg from my checked in bags because weight was 25kg. Thus next trip to YUL will be on BA with GF access because OWE status...

Before that I will fly BKK-BRU in Y and visit the Novotel buffet before boarding that flight.