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THAI Upgrades Premium Customer Ground Services

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited has upgraded its ground services for premium customers, beginning from the moment they leave their residence until they board the aircraft, and the moment they disembark until they reach their destination.

Mrs. Rhachaya Pamon-Montri, THAI's Managing Director of Ground Customer Services Department, said that the department provides services directly to the customer and has in mind their increased comfort and convenience. Recently, THAI upgraded the First and Business Class lounges and introduced new services to provide a comprehensive package for the benefit of its premium customers. These include:
- Royal Transfer Service for First Class passengers between the airport and their accommodation both on arrival and departure, using a fleet of Mercedes Benz E220 CDI and C180 limousines.
- Porterage Service for First Class passengers in the Arrival Hall at Terminal 1 of Bangkok International Airport, as well as porterage service through the security X-ray until check-in.
- Personal Service for First and Business Class passengers during check-in as well as a Fast Track immigration counter.
- Royal Orchid Lounge for First and Business Class passengers, elegantly decorated in contemporary Thai style with local products, and offering a variety of snacks and seasonal fruits, beverages from coffee and tea to Thai herbal drinks, Internet, shower rooms and massage chairs.
- Boarding for First Class passengers includes a ride from the Royal Orchid Lounge to the security check prior to the departure gate.

Arriving passengers will be offered the following services:
- Arrival/Fast Track - First and Business Class passengers will be met and ushered through a Fast Track immigration counter.
- Baggage Service - Staff will be on hand to retrieve baggage from the carousel for First Class passengers, escort them through Customs, and deliver them to a waiting limousine to take them to their place of accommodation.

First and Business Class passengers leaving Thailand will also be able to enjoy a soothing traditional Thai massage in the lounge at Bangkok International Airport as a memorable reminder of Thailand. THAI is also redecorating the customer service points such as the check-in counters, departure gates, airport ticket offices, as well as staff uniforms. This is all part of a total image and service enhancement programme in order to take the airline towards leadership in the airline industry.

transpac

Sounds good.

Many of these services seemed to be in place when I flew FRA-BKK on TG 921 in F, a few weeks ago.

We were given a sort of laminated card, on board just prior to arrival, denoting our first class status.

There were golf carts at the arrival gate to take some customers to the immigration desks. I tried to get on one of these but was politely denied, even though it was clear I was a FC customer. (Not a problem, I needed the excercise.)

At immigration I was directed to the far right hand desk where a gentlemen took my passport & visa/imm. paperwork. He told me to go through, and downstairs to the luggage carousel. He delivered my passport with visa about 5 minutes later. A porter loaded my bag onto a cart and took me outside to the taxi stand.

No limo, complimentary or otherwise (I know Thai Airways runs this Merc fleet but they usually charge ~ 1,500 THB while a taxi is no more than 300). This would be nice but the press release does not say if this is complimentary?

I departed on LH so cannot comment on some of the departure services other than to say I was invited into what looks to be a new TG F and C lounges, maybe near "gate 51"?. The F lounge was very, very nice. I didn't pay too much attention but think maybe there are two lounges here? One to the left for business and one to the right for F?

I fly this same route this week so will try for the limo service if it is free, and I'll try not to get run over by the golfcart, again.