You will have seen that I haven't been posting reports as frequently as before COVID and this is for various personal and professional reasons, which I won't go into detail here.

I was getting ready to publish again in 2025, but as I was going through my drives I realised there were a number of reports that lay unpublished. I had even reaslised it. What I will do is beautify them and release them first, partly because I've already written most of these but also for posterity's sake.
The plan is to complete the release of all these old trip reports/hotel reviews by the end of 2024, and then to start with fresh reports/reviews in the new year.

I recognise some of you think this is pointless and wastes your time, for which I apologise. Let me know and I will only start with more current reviews.

Well here is the report: There are constant reports about how unhealthy we have become, we led sedentary lifestyles, eat bad (tasty) food etc etc. I had heard about the cheaper hospital system in Thailand and decided to try it out.

I found a cheap business class deal on Cathay Pacific, which is also a direct flight, but also I get to collect BA tier points. If I make a few trips every year, this will make re-qualifying for BA status so much easier.

As you know, Cathay will be one of the first movers to the new Terminal 4. I booked this too early!!! It would have been great to be one of the first to use this new terminal! I did get a sneak peek at the new Terminal in August (click here to see the Changi Terminal 4 Preview!); and was impressed in some ways, but worried about the amount of space and the connections between T4 and the remaining three terminals. Anyhow, I am planning to fly with Cathay again early in 2018 so hopefully there will be a report following that experience.

On my previous trip to Bangkok on Cathay in May 2017, I actually took the MRT as it was ridiculously cheap. I first used Uber to get to the MR station for about $1.5o and then spent only about $2 for the MRT to Changi.

However, like my First Class experience on Singapore Airlines in August 2017, I booked the complimentary airport limousine that comes with the Citi Prestige card. With the Prestige limo service you are entitled to eight complimentary one-way transfers to Changi per year; capped at four per quarter. However, you must spend a minimum sum of S$1,500 on your Prestige card in any currency other than Singapore Dollars within each quarter. As I more or less travel by myself, they always send a Mercedes Benz, with a fully suited driver. Others who have used the service with their families tell me they adjust the vehicle depending on the number of passengers, and amount of luggage.


Once you arrive at Changi Terminal 1, the Cathay check in desks are immediately on your left, with business class, and then self check in.






Cathay do not have their own dedicated lounge at Changi, instead they use the DNATA lounge. This makes sense as they are moving to the new Terminal 4 at the end of October. Hopefully they will have their own lounge there as I do like the Cathay offerings at other outstations.



The lounge is broadly maintained at a reasonable level but the chairs are stained after years of use, and needs a refresh or a deep clean.







There’s actually a little bar at the far end of the lounge, if you want somewhere quieter to sit.


On the way to the gate, I saw two CXs next to each other: the nearer (B77?) heading to Hong Kong, while my flight was the further one away.


Singapore – Bangkok
Airline: Cathay Pacific
Plane Type: A350-900
Flight Number: CX712
Class: Business
Scheduled Departure: 13:35
Actual Departure: 13:53
Scheduled Arrival: 15:00
Actual Arrival: 15:04
Estimated duration: 2hr 25mins
Actual duration: 2hr 10mins
Plane registration: B-LRN


When I got to the gate, there wasn’t a big queue.


After clearing the gate screening, I had a chance to admire the A350-900 that was due to fly us to Bangkok; and a little plus was to get to see the other CX just after push back.


Unlike my previous trip to Bangkok in May 2017, they didn’t split up the premium class from the rest. Which was a real let down.


Finally, boarding was called. It was everyone for themselves at boarding time.


I really like this seat. It’s spacious, without being too big.



The controls are pretty intuitive but I generally use the touch screen to navigate the movies/tv shows.


Noise cancellation headphones are a really blessing


Once I had settled into my seat the cabin crew came around with drinks, and more importantly, a priority pass to get through immigration quickly.



I chose the steamed chicken, Chinese ham, pak choy, baby corn and chicken rice. Really good.


They then served a strawberry ice cream, but unfortunately I wasn’t able to open it. Somehow I managed to break the plastic film and couldn’t be bothered to ask for a new one — or for assistance.


After serving lunch, there was just enough time to take a few photos of the sky before preparing for landing.


Fortunately travelling business class gives you fast track access so I didn’t need to worry about queuing too long at immigration. Unfortunately there was a family in front who took exception to the way they were spoken to by the immigration officer. My understanding was that they hadn’t filled in the form correctly, and a shouting match ensued between the wife and the immigration officer. Crazy in my view. Why would you start arguing with the person who is supposed to let you into the country?

I didn’t have checked luggage so it was simply a case of going straight through customs and out to top up my sim card.

After that I went to the booth for Bumrumgrad hospital and registered. While they registered me, they called for a bus and then had to wait for 45 minutes for it to turn up.


When the mini bus arrived, someone escorted me outside (with my hand luggage) and took me to the mini bus. Yes. this was all for me.


The bus (nicely air conditioned) drove me all the way to the hotel, which I had selected to be close to the hospital.

Novotel Bangkok Ploenchit Sukhumvit


On two recent trips to Bangkok earlier this year (May 2017 and April 2017), I had stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok (you can see a full hotel report here). For the July 2017 trip, I stayed at the ibis Bangkok Siam, which I quite enjoyed. However, this time I decided to stay somewhere else. My choice was determined mainly by convenience and a reasonable price. Also, I have been looking to build up my Accor status, so the Novotel Bangkok Ploenchit Sukhumvit fit those two criteria.

Luckily the Novotel Bangkok Ploenchit Sukhumvit, is near Ploenchit Station which is only a short stop from many of the central areas such as Silom, Siam etc etc.


I was put in a Superior Room on the 21st floor which was good. If I was significantly lower, my view would have been obscured by buildings. As it was I had good views out onto the city.



The bathroom was see through … again. But at least here, you have a control to lower a blind so you don’t have to shower in full view of the bedroom.



The breakfast room was large and wasn’t full the days that I went.




There is a gym, but I didn’t get a chance to take a photo. Every time I went in, there were quite a number of people using them and I thought it would have been awkward taking photos of people working out.

The gym is open at 6am. until 11pm.


On the 9th floor (along with the fitness centre) is the swimming pool, which allows you see a bit of Bangkok. Like the fitness centre it open at 6am. However, it shuts earlier at 9pm.


Bumrungrad Hospital Medical Check up

THANN Sanctuary

As you know, from my previous Mini Trip Reports to Bangkok, I go for massages at Healthland. However, an acquaintance had recommended I try a new place.

There are actually three branches for Thann:

THANN SANCTUARY Gaysorn, 3rd floor, Bangkok
For reservation: +662-656-1423
Email: [email protected]

THANN SANCTUARY SPA 5th Floor, Emporium Suite Hotel, Bangkok
For reservation +662-664-9924
Mobile: +666-4-301-3938
Email: [email protected]

THANN Sukhumvit 47
For reservation +66 2011 7104
Email: [email protected]

For this trip, I chose to use the one located at Gaysorn Plaza.



I went for the 2 hour Thai Aromatic Massage which cost THB2,500 (about US$75). My only complaint was that it didn’t last long enough!!

Soon enough. It was time to head off back to the real world of work.

These trips don’t pay for themselves!

Since I had so much time, I took the Airport Rail Link from Paya Thai to Suvarnabhumi Airport (click here for my (older) guide to using the Airport Rail Link). While I was on the ARL, I received an email telling me that the flight was running 30mins late.


This was fine by me, as it just meant more time to relax in lounge.




They give you priorty pass for immigration








Bangkok – Singapore
Airline: Cathay Pacific
Plane Type: A350-900
Flight Number: CX713
Class: Business
Scheduled Departure: 11:50
Actual Departure: 12:42
Scheduled Arrival: 15:20
Actual Arrival: 15:48
Estimated duration: 2hr 30mins
Actual duration: 2hr 6mins
Plane registration: B-LRG




This time they separate the premium class travellers from the masses.



As with the outbound, the noise cancellation headphones are already provided inside the little cupboard. This trip, they had a couple and a baby so the headphones really helped. I don’t know why some people think it’s ok to allow your toddler to run (waddle) around the cabin during the flight. And to top it all off when it inevitably falls over, hits its head on the side of the chair and starts bawling its eyes, they smile at you as if to say “don’t you think that’s cute?”





When we finally landed at Changi, the gate was very close to immigration. But when we got there, there was a huge queue of people waiting to clear. Fortunately I was able to use the automated clearance queue to the right.


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