I’m looking at booking a flight from Luang Prabang, Laos to Taipei. There is an option on Thai Airways through BKK. The first leg is a codeshare with Bangkok Airways, and the second is on Thai. If I check in at Luang Prabang with Bangkok Airways, will my bags be checked through to Taipei, or would I need to pick them up at BKK and re-check-in for the second leg? Thanks!

When on a single ticket it will be checked through

Have a couple of lounge stays coming up at BKK - I am flying in business. (No status)

Trying to make head or tail of the lounges

There is royal silk., royal orchid and royal orchid prestige...

I like it better when it's simply first and business...

Which is the better of the lounges that i'll have access too?

The naming of THAI lounges has some history, and there are a number of them in different parts of the airport. You’ll also have access to other Star Alliance lounges, and there are a few.

Naming
Domestic departures.
There is a Royal Silk lounge for domestic flights. Food is modest, and alcohol is not available.

International departures.
Royal Orchid prestige lounge is a recently modernised Business Class Lounge, with a First Class section. Located in Concourse D, the largest and main concourse

Royal Silk lounge is a Business Class Lounge
Royal First lounge is (was) a First Class Lounge

Royal Orchid Lounge has both Business and First Class sections. They are smaller and are located in other concourses.

Star Alliance Lounges
You will also have access to Singapore Airlines, EVA Air and Turkish Airlines Business Class Lounges at Bangkok (I think that is all).

DO I take it from that - the Prestige would be likely be the best given it has a first class section (albeit unattaible by me)?

Other things being equal, yes. It could be a bit away from your departure gate, and some folks like to be close - hence the Orchid/Silk lounges located in concourses C and E.

I usually like the SQ lounge for the champers

It may be worth mentioning how long (# of hours) you need to use and what time you will use them due to lounge operating hours. For a standard few hours visit during 7am-11pm (international departure), I would strongly recommend SQ lounge near D7 if food and beverage quality are important to you. If you need a place to snooze, TG and limited lounges operate longer hours.

I'm curious to know if jumping from TK to TG is worth it?

Currently based in Perth and have been sending all my miles to TK after receiving a Status Match from OW Plat QF/Emerald to now *A Gold.

Have been using SQ or TG direct flights and SQ with TK between Aus and Europe. ANA to Japan, SQ and TG to Asia and any *A in Europe.

Is TG as easy to earn as TK?

the TG lounges in C are long gone (space taken over by Coral); one in E (from the former two) still there

TG Prestige also has now champagne...

After visiting the SQ lounge the other day, my stance remains the same: I much prefer TG Prestige to the SQ one (and definitely to BR). The latter is crowded, quality of food a bit meh and seating arrangements not great.

Last week went to a Lounge in E (currently 2 lounges) about midnight when it was not so busy after an hour or so in the SQ Lounge. Interior design is much better than before with different types of seats as is the decor. I have not been in the none First Class part of the Prestige Lounge for a long time so cannot compare but there were serveral choices of hot food and a small bar.

While there may be fewer TG lounges available in SVB than pre COVID I think that the overall quality has improved and some credit should be given to Thai Airways.

Clearly I have been ‘holed up’ in the SQ Lounge for too long!

I promise to try the TG Prestige Lounge when I pass through BKK within the next 2 weeks as I head to FRA

TG Prestige is really much better than the former D lounge... for champagne you have to go to the bar

SQ lounge is good as long as there is no SQ flight (it's small and gets then very crowded); so I check whether there are upcoming SQ flights before I go there...
if you have flights from the satellite, its a longer walk from the SQ lounge than from TG Prestige

And the usual bar man (forgot his name now) makes a mean Bloody Mary

Fresh coconut juice and better food taste/quality in SQ lounge makes it worth a longer walk.