14 December 2004
Seoul Incheon (ICN/RKSI) – Taipei Chiang Kai Shek (TPE/RCTP)
Thai Airways International TG 635
Boeing 777-2D7
HS-TJB
1705-1845 – On Time
Royal Executive Class, Seat 12G

I had my two last days at university in Korea, basically final exams. Originally I had the evening nonstop, but luckily seats opened up in business class on the earlier Taipei stopper and my booking was quickly changed. Finishing my exam at 1:40pm cut things a bit close, but I finally arrived at the Thai check-in counters at 4:05pm. A very friendly Korean Air agent checked me in, and off I went. Cathay office was my first stop – I wanted to return the jacket the guy gave me two days earlier.

Security and immigration were slow, and I got all sorts of searches and questioning at both again. The SilverKris lounge was its usual self – I had some prawns first before heading to the bar for some champagne. Boarding was soon called for TG 635, and I was glad to see HS-TJB would be operating the flight as it was missing from my logbook. A few wai greetings from the ladies, and I was soon settled in my rather comfortable aisle seat in the second row.

Thai’s B777-200 seating has got a lot of negative feedback in various forums. Nobody seems to realize that the whole fleet is 777 A-version, and used for regional routes. Business class is 2-4-2 seating, with about 48” pitch. A perfectly comfortable seat for these regional flights and I’m not a small guy at all. The back of the bus is tight with 3-4-3 and 33” pitch I admit, but would you want to offer something better for group tourists? 777-200s operate 4 flights a day to Incheon for example, where economy is always filled with tour groups. Obviously everybody would like a flat bed, but the 777-200 business seating is miles better than any U.S. domestic two-class first for example.

Pre-departure drinks were soon served – I took champagne as usual. Thai serves Lanson Black Label in regional business class at the moment. The cabin filled up except for two seats – one happened to be next to me. As the guy was pouring away the pre-departure drinks, he had one champagne left, winked at me and brought it over. “I knew already you help me sir.” Load in business was 53/55 this afternoon to Taipei.

Menus, socks and headphones were distributed before pushback, and dinner orders were taken. Here’s the menu for the entire ICN-TPE-BKK flight.

Thai Airways International takes great pleasure in welcoming you onboard. Our legendary Royal Orchid Service will make your journey Smooth as Silk. Our dedicated chefs choose the finest ingredients and add Thai herbs to Thai dishes that are being served as in-flight meals. Also, only the finest wines from the best vineyards have been selected to accompany your meal.

Seoul – Taipei

First Course

Chicken with Pistachio Terrine, Apple and Celery Salad

Main Course

Stir-fried Lemon Beef, Chinese Fried Rice
Pak-choi, Baby Corn

Or

Sautéed Prawns with Newburg Sauce, Steamed Thai Jasmine Rice
Buttered Broccoli, Carrot

Assorted Breads, Crackers, Butter, Cheese

Dessert

Charlotte Royal
Tea, Coffee
Espresso, Cappuccino

Taipei – Bangkok

First Course

Sicilian Scallops, Chicken Sesame, Apple and Potato Salad

Main Course

Pork Rib with Pineapple, Buttered Rice, Broccoli, Carrots

or

Steamed Sea Perch with Lemon Grass Sauce, Steamed Thai Jasmine Rice
Soy Beans, Half Tomato

Assorted Breads, Crackers, Butter

Cheese and Fresh Fruits

Dessert

Chocolate Marquise
Tea, Coffee
Espresso, Cappuccino

Takeoff was on time, and service started shortly after the seatbelt sign went off. All service in business class was from the nice old-style open service cart. Drinks were served with a snackmix first, I had more champagne. Since this, the old guy kept refilling my champagne glass constantly from the galley all the way to Bangkok.

Table linens were soon laid out, and appetizers and breads were offered; I opted for some garlic bread. More bread and drinks were offered constantly, Thai had six flight attendants taking care of us in the business class cabin. I had the prawns for main course, an excellent Thai dish. Dessert service was rather extensive as well, and I opted for some cognac with the “Charlotte Royal” which was mouth-watering.

As the meal service was about to finish, the captain announced descent to Chiang Kai Shek airport in Taipei. We landed on schedule and were met by rude China Airlines agents at the gate. I asked where the lounge is – “You have to sit there and wait!”

Transit at Taipei Chiang Kai Shek International

The airport looked awful, this was terminal one. I assume terminal two is somewhat better. There was nothing in this terminal to be honest – a cafeteria, some gates and a couple of sad looking lounges and small duty free shops. As I later found out, Thai uses a lounge outside security. The only airport in the same class that I have visited is Manila Ninoy Aquino terminal 1. Definitely choose the Hong Kong stopper instead of this one (TG 628/9).

14 December 2004
Taipei Chiang Kai Shek (TPE/RCTP) – Bangkok Don Muang (BKK/VTBD)
Thai Airways International TG 635
Boeing 777-2D7
HS-TJB
1945-2250 – On Time
Royal Executive Class, Seat 12G

Thankfully they started boarding soon, and I was back in my comfortable seat. A glass of champagne arrived in no time and one of the ladies informed me to take any seat after takeoff if I want; the load would be only 14 passengers in business class on this sector. Doors were closed on schedule, and we took off after the China Airlines 747 in Dreamliner colours landed.

A full dinner was served on this sector, and service was even better and more attentive than on the previous leg, due to the lower load I guess. There was an added cheese and fruit course, and the appetizer was larger on this flight. The champagne kept flowing, and I tried to finish another part of this ultra long trip report on this flight.

We started our descent to Bangkok over the northeastern town of Khon Kaen, and landed on schedule on runway 21L. Overall, service was flawless on these flights and the meals were great. I don’t quite understand why Thai has such a bad reputation when it comes to business class. Sure, B747s with 7431/7441 configuration and MD11s have ancient seats that belong to a museum, but the rest of the fleet is fine. Service on Thai is always fantastic.

18 December 2004
Bangkok Don Muang (BKK/VTBD) – Phuket International (HKT/VTSP)
Phuket Airlines 9R 376
Boeing 757-2Q8
HS-KAA
1050-1205 (1230-1340)
Economy Class, Seat 36F

I wanted to go to Phuket one last time before flying back to Finland at the beginning of January, so I chose the weekend of 18-19 December. Orient Thai had two classic 747s flying down on Saturday morning – unfortunately both full. The travel agent suggested I book Phuket Air as it was cheaper than Thai – so that’s what I did. Big mistake as you will see later.

I went to the airport quite late, and arrived at the Phuket Air check-in counter (yes, one counter) about an hour before departure. Or so I thought. I was hoping for an interesting aircraft, so the good news was it would be operated by one of their 757s. Unfortunately, I was informed that departure will probably be around 12 noon.

An hour’s wait at the gate area isn’t exactly fun, although you have a good view of the runways from there. I ate a few tuna pastries that they had on offer, and drank approximately half of the contents of their water tank. Meanwhile, a Kuwait Airways A340-300 arrived from Kuwait City, and docked at pier 5 for the short stopover before continuing to Manila. The crew for our flight also arrived; the captain was talking with someone about serious maintenance problems… convincing.

Boarding finally started around noon, and we were bussed to HS-KAA. It’s the latest addition to the Phuket Airlines fleet, and has been operated by Lan Chile, Ladeco and LAPA before in South America. Unfortunately this bird has a horrible configuration of 219 bright blue seats; legroom was unbearable. I can only imagine how the Finnair leisure 757s are - they have 8 more seats and fly long flights.

The flight was practically empty, and we pushed back around 12:30pm. Orient Thai’s HS-UTD was undergoing an engine change this time, they just changed an engine on HS-UTP as well. If somebody is interested, both Orient Thai and Onetwo-go turned a profit last year, the parent company a significant one. They plan to add 12 jets to the fleet this year.

The 757 took off like a rocket from 21R, and I was finally on my way to the south. Oh well, it was only a delay of 1h40min, last time it was almost four hours. A hot meal was served, and consisted of fish curry and Thai Jasmine rice. A decent meal for an hour’s domestic flight. Crew was nice and friendly again, and there were at least 6 flight attendants on this empty fight.

We landed from the ocean side of Phuket Airport, and this time used a jetway. The airport was deserted, not a single classic Jumbo of 9R or OX and just one Bangkok-bound Thai A300 that was boarding. I took a taxi to the Marriott Resort where I was staying.

JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa

Today was the start of the peak season, and the rate had jumped up to $505 per night. Obviously, I had to see how I could do on Priceline. $78 did the trick, and upon arrival I was upgraded to a terrace room due to my status with Marriott. A note and welcome gift from the manager was waiting. “Welcome back to the Pearl of the Andaman Sea and our beautiful resort”. It’s very sad to think what happened just a week later… The resort was not damaged, but that’s pretty minor compared to the magnitude of the disaster.

As I returned from Patong at night (the JW shuttle now costs 100 Baht per way), a note was waiting under my door. “As you informed me you have a late flight tomorrow, you can check out without charge at 3pm and use all the facilities until you leave”. Talk about service. Also, the customary little turtle souvenir had been placed on my bed at turndown service. The JW Marriott resort is just amazing. I can’t wait to be back.