intro
In case you are reading this review directly, there is no review of checkin as I was just transiting via Bangkok enroute to Lahore. Firstly let's a take a tour of the lounge. I spent my entire time there very busy and little time for relaxation so I will let the lounge photos do the talking without me typing !
Taste of Thailand store
Only in Thailand !
ROYAL SILK LOUNGE BANGKOK
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The Golden Egg Yolk thread "Foy Thong" tasted superbly delicious and the bean paste disguised as fruits was yummy ! Washed down by lovely Apple Juice !
Thai Airways had arranged for me to be given several copies of the previous Sawasdee inflight magazine as it had a beautiful piece on Benjarong vases. I only took a few as I had tonnes of hand luggage by now !
Close to departure time,I headed towards my gate for Lahore just as a Thai Airways flight to Sydney was on final call.
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BOARDING
Not a great view of my ride but I promise plenty of photos inside ! I am a poet and I did not even know it !
My ride to Lahore tonight is an A330 ( at the time of travel) the 9 year old HS-TEU "Chai Buri" with 36 Royal Silk and 263 Economy Class seats.
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Ooooh the feeling of priority PRIORITY boarding !
Quick peek into Economy just as crew were getting ready to welcome the Lahore bound passengers tonight.
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I Boarded and my jacket was taken promptly. I was warmly welcomed by the smiling Inflight Manager Mr Chotipong.
I noted that only seats that were assigned to have a passenger, had red Amenity Kits placed on them ( from the Mandarina Duck brand ).
My seat,pillow,blanket and Amenity Kit.
I believe an engineer slept in here during the flight with the curtains drawn.
As if tempting my own fate by taking a photo of a seat across the aisle !
I was brought a refreshing orange Juice and towel.
I love it when these Thai Phrases appear in Sawasdee although they are not a regular feature.
Airshow and Thailand videos played, again on grainy video screens. Thai Airways can not get brand new aircraft soon enough !
Again the fuzzy screens really made my eyes ache !
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All seats had a wrapped embroidered logo blanket and a lilac or cherry coloured THAI logo pillow.
Safety Card
The view for now
An Airhostess called Jane came through the cabin and introduced herself and advised the flight time and took meal orders.
Boarding got into full flow by 1920pm and was completed by 1943pm.
Jane told me the aircraft registration as the Internet had not worked for me in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi.
AMENITY KIT BY MANDARINA DUCK
No eyeshades so I requested these separately and even snagged an extra amenity kit !
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Remember earlier when I photographed seats across the aisle ?
At 1945pm the doors closed and I don’t know if it’s me, but why oh why do I always get problem seats ?!
The Massage function broke – a loud mechanical noise sounded over and over. I also had an issue lifting the legrest to go into a comfortable cradle position.
I did not want this for 4+ hours so I changed to 16K ( luckily the cabin was empty but imagine if it wasn’t ! )
Upon changing my seat, I noted the Pakistani politician Sheikh Rasheed sat 2 rows ahead of me - more on him later.
My New Seat !
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Pushback started at 2012pm – outside the rain made views unclear but gave me a cozy feeling to be in the warmth of the cabin !
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take off
After much taxying, take off commenced at 2020pm and we made our way high into the night sky of Bangkok ( Bangkok I love you ! )
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Post take off and Pre meal, Nuts,drinks and a towel were brought round ; Jane asked if I needed anything else.
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INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT
Economy Class headsets again. Not a Premium touch at all
Sawasdee inflight magazine was available in abundance. The article on Thai chocolate was decadent !
A look at the IFE during the flight. The fuzzy screen got slightly better after take off ( maybe the aerial was stronger lol ! )
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INFLIGHT CATERING
As this flight was double the time of KULBKK, I felt more relaxed to take my time and really savour the flavours.
A look at the menu.
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I opted for the Samrab Thai.
Plastic shakers holder again
The lemon seasoning was fragrant in the chicken salad.
I am still to this day not convinced this was fish with eggs - I am a 101% sure this was eggs !
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The main meal was over by 2110pm
Dishes were cleared – Mr Chotipong said to press the callbell if I needed anything else. Dessert was brought and I asked for everything plus the Economy Class one !
Economy Dessert on this flight was this Butter Cake.
Jane brought cheeseboard and highly recommended some Thai tea but I opted for the English Breakfast version instead !
The Pakistan landing card was handed out before lights out
Jontaporn smiled as he brought me a little water bottle
Time for some rest - I had a power nap whilst listening to instrumental piano music.
CABIN CREW - ABOVE AND BEYOND !
A short summary of the lovely cabin crew of tonight's flight to Lahore.
Mr Chotipong the Inflight Manager came and switched off the tv screen next to me so I don’t get glare when I sleep – so so thoughtful ! Unmistakably Thai Airways !
I had Photos with the crew- I was told by the Inflight Manager that they prefer if passengers ask rather than just take photos of the crew - I am fine with that as it is common courteousy. I thanked Jontaporn for his warm service and I loved the blue and gold combination silk dress by Ms Pancharos.See my Lahore-Bangkok review in 2017 to learn more about Thai Airways uniform.
I noted 1 Airhostess wearing the Western uniform.
Cute lil gift from the crew ! But having turned 40 just over a week before,I am past the stage for this so gave it to my niece in Pakistan !
Quick washroom visit - loving the flowery towels and orchids !
I then went to the Galley to get more decadent coconut and banana dessert and had a short chat with the crew.
Soon after the lights came on and the preparation for cabin secure began.
There was a prerecorded Urdu language announcement that Pakistan nationals need not fill the Pakistan landing card.
At 2212pm we began our descent ; the Captain came over the intercom and said thanks for flying Thai Airways and “I hope you enjoyed the flight”.
Agra in India- I tried but could not see The Taj Mahal !
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WELCOME TO LAHORE !
We landed at Lahore and upon arrival at the gate, Royal Silk passengers filled the galley to disembark.
We landed at Lahore and as soon as the aircraft door opened at the gate, Sheikh Rasheed barged past me after saying “ Excuse Me”..was this dude in more of a hurry than anyone else ? How damn rude.
Bye Bye Chai Buri - in Punjabi this means bad tea !
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Immigration and bag collection was over in 10 minutes ; helped greatly by the fact we were the only arrivals !
I exited arrivals to a welcome of flowers, courteous hotel staff and a luxury car with sweets,towels and fresh filtered water. Well done Pearl Continental Hotel Lahore – the byword for luxury and elegance in hotels in Pakistan. From landing at Lahore I was in bed within 45 minutes for some much needed rest ! Thank you so much for reading my review and see you on my next flight ! Between this and the next review I will be a married man !
