Hi all,

I'm looking into buying my flight from BKK to HKT (Phuket) in late Feb. where I'll be doing some diving.

I'm flying Cathay Pacific from SFO to BKK - so no worries about allowances on that one.

My goal is to have one bag which will contain heavy scuba equipment and all my clothes/stuff for my trip. I realize that I have many choices among low cost carriers from BKK to HKT but I'm supposed to get on a liveaboard boat the day I arrive and so I am looking for an airline with a degree of dependability and punctuality so I'll pay extra if need be for Thai Airways - which seems to have the most flights.

My question is how strict is Thai airways with the baggage allowance? Will they give me a little latitude if I present my c-card?

Also, is there anyway to connect the two air tickets so I do not have to reclaim my bags in BKK before heading off to Phuket on Thai Airways - or because I bought the tickets separately do I have to travel with them separately?

Thanks for any light you can shed on this.