After an adventurous night trying to explore Bangkok without mobile service on my phone (some random unsecured Wi-Fi and Uber came to rescue), I headed back to BKK. I made sure to arrive at the airport early enough to enjoy the highly acclaimed first class ground service at Thai Airways' home base.
BKK main terminal
I proceeded to the check-in area for Royal First.
The royal entrance
Check-in agent took my passport and took care of everything while I sat back and relax…
and have a bottle of water.
After that I was escorted through immigration and security and assisted on to my royal carriage, which zoomed through the concourse and business class lounge, where people waved the flags and hailed Long live the king… okay, the last part was only my imagination.
The golf cart stopped right in front of the reception desk of the Royal First Lounge. I was guided to my royal living room for the next half hour.
Of course, I could sit anywhere I want.
Royal First Lounge bar
I was given the breakfast menu on a tablet. The lounge attendant guided me through the menu. I asked for a Thai breakfast. She recommended fish congee, which was pretty good.
Pastries, yogurt and sandwiches are offered at the buffet.
I just couldn't stop eating.
I made an appointment for the renowned Touch of Silk full body oil massage for 60 minutes. I was guided to the Royal Orchid Spa and taken to the Touch of Silk suite. I was then instructed to change into the skimpy pants (the little black package on the countertop) in the bathroom while my masseur waited outside.
The touch of silk began. My goodness, it was heavenly!
After the massage, I went back to the bathroom for a shower while the masseur cleaned up the suite and then waited for me outside (which creeped me out a little).
After that, I was guided to a room for some rest.
A cup of relaxing tea and a feedback form
It was about time to board. I could have summoned my royal carriage, but I walked upstairs to look for something at the shops.
The king meets the queen - Queen of the Skies sitting elegantly at Gate C6. No one beats the beauty and elegance of 747, not even A380, which is on the chubby side.
View from the nose. The cabin has been retrofitted with new first class, but the seats show signs of aging.
My throne, I mean my suite - 1A, not as wide as in A380.
But it's the experience of sitting at the tip of the nose that counts. There's something significant about Suite 1A of a 747 - not even Suite 1K can compare.
Rimowa amenity kit for TG flights four hours or longer. This flight barely makes the mark. I'm overjoyed. Let's celebrate with a glass of Dom.
Cabin was shared with another passenger, who probably shared the same passion as mine by selecting 1K. Sorry, 1A was taken.
There's a closet in front of 1A and 1K - okay, the closet wins.
Jet bridge
Lunch menu
Dom Pérignon. For some reason it doesn't taste as good as on A380.
Another Thai 747
View of rural Bangkok
This flight was also served by a male and a female crew member. They dropped by my suite to greet me and introduce themselves, which was a nice touch. I was informed of an early arrival - good news for economy pax, bad news for me.
Started off with some macadamia nuts and a glass of artificially flavored orange juice
Yakitori was okay, but I was craving for satay instead.
Appetizer, a basket of garlic bread, and another basket of bread. How on earth am I going to finish all these bread?
Pumpkin soup
I pre-ordered lobster pad thai, which was tasty.
Cheese and fruits were served on a cart.
I passed on cheese and had fruits instead. I was surprised to find my favorite Taiwanese wax apple!
Thai desserts and tea
Nice view
Before landing, the crew dropped by again to thank me for flying with TG, another nice touch.
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Verdict
Thai Airways
8.1/10
Cabin8.0
Cabin crew8.0
Entertainment/wifi8.0
Meal/catering8.5
Thai Airways Royal First Class Lounge
8.5/10
Comfort8.0
Meal/catering8.0
Entertainment/wifi10.0
Services8.0
Bangkok - BKK
9.2/10
Efficiency10.0
Access9.0
Services8.0
Cleanliness10.0
Beijing - PEK
8.0/10
Efficiency9.0
Access9.0
Services6.0
Cleanliness8.0
Conclusion
This is dream come true. I would have never thought I could sit in first class at the tip of the nose of a 747, the most beautiful aircraft created. Ground service was over-the-top, and the hour long massage heavenly. I was treated like royalty and was totally blown away!
Royal First Lounge itself was okay. I have never been to other airlines' first class lounges, but I guess this one is just average. However, the Royal Orchid Spa makes it up. Nothing beats enjoying an hour long massage before a flight, even if it's only four hours long. Not sure if massage counts as entertainment, but I gave a rating of 10 for entertainment at the lounge.
The excitement factor aside, I actually like my HKG-BKK flight better. Cabin and seats are older on this flight, crew members not as warm (though still courteous and professional), food not as good (which is surprising for a flight departing from home base). However, the Rimowa amenity kit is a huge plus. I think TG is really generous for giving out Rimowa on medium haul flights.
The two TG flights were the highlight of my trip. Coming up next is Air China first class, which is a few notches down from TG.
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Thanks for sharing this great report! I love your enthusiasm in this FR and it was a very entertaining and comical read!
After that I was escorted through immigration and security and assisted on to my royal carriage, which zoomed through the concourse and business class lounge, where people waved the flags and hailed Long live the king - Now that's good ground services! hahaha. The Thai ground experience is really good--you are taken care of from the secod you arrive at the airport. I think only Maybe AF First Class services is Paris can beat the THAI ground services.
Such a beautiful bird, especially in the beautiful THAI livery! You're right that the A380 is chubby! haha There is definitely something special about sitting in the nose of the Queen of the Skies! So funny that there were only two people in the cabin and of course you both crowded into the first row hahaha
On board the cabin is pretty, but understandable the seat is not as spacious as the A380.
Not sure if massage counts as entertainment, - Sure! Or services. Personal preference based on your experience. Either way it's always nice to have a spa in a lounge. Recently got to enjoy a massage in the Qantas First class lounge in Sydney, but it was only 30 minutes, so your 60 minutes is much better.
Thanks for reading! It was a very exciting experience indeed! I have read about the amazing ground service by AF. But awards for AF first class are prohibitively expensive. I don't think I'll get a chance to try that. 1A and 1K are quite close to each other. I guess that makes service easier for the crew too. It saved me the effort of looking for a massage place in town too, and it's free!
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2 Comments
After that I was escorted through immigration and security and assisted on to my royal carriage, which zoomed through the concourse and business class lounge, where people waved the flags and hailed Long live the king
- Now that's good ground services! hahaha. The Thai ground experience is really good--you are taken care of from the secod you arrive at the airport. I think only Maybe AF First Class services is Paris can beat the THAI ground services.
Such a beautiful bird, especially in the beautiful THAI livery! You're right that the A380 is chubby! haha
There is definitely something special about sitting in the nose of the Queen of the Skies! So funny that there were only two people in the cabin and of course you both crowded into the first row hahaha
On board the cabin is pretty, but understandable the seat is not as spacious as the A380.
Not sure if massage counts as entertainment,
- Sure! Or services. Personal preference based on your experience. Either way it's always nice to have a spa in a lounge. Recently got to enjoy a massage in the Qantas First class lounge in Sydney, but it was only 30 minutes, so your 60 minutes is much better.
Thanks for sharing!
I have read about the amazing ground service by AF. But awards for AF first class are prohibitively expensive. I don't think I'll get a chance to try that.
1A and 1K are quite close to each other. I guess that makes service easier for the crew too.
It saved me the effort of looking for a massage place in town too, and it's free!
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