Review: Thai Airways Domestic Business Class- Bangkok to Koh Samui (USM) and return

Introduction

Cashing in my last 300,000 United miles

American Express Centurion Lounge San Francisco

Flying First Class on Lufthansa Seattle-Frankfurt

Rubber Ducks, Cured Meats and VOSS – Lufthansa First Class Lounge Frankfurt

Flying First Class on Thai Airways also on the a380

Thai Airways Domestic Business Class -Bangkok to Koh Samui

Conrad Koh Samui Amazing Hotel, Less Then Amazing Service

The Cutest Airport in the world – Koh Samui

Asiana Regional Business Class- Bangkok to Seoul

Asiana a380 Seoul to Los Angeles

Visiting Thailand and the island of Koh Samui

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Our whirlwind trip half way around the world was almost at an end. We had finally made it to the country of our vacation and were on our last flight to Koh Samui, Thailand. We’ve had so much fun getting to Thailand, and were just excited for our last trip. We had landed in Bangkok and had one and a half hours to connect to our domestic flight.

Prior to our flights we had to navigate the airport, and this is where Thai Airways excels. Where Lufthansa has an amazing inflight product and an incredible lounge and terminal in Frankfurt for First Class passengers. Thai has always been known for their incredible ground service at their hub airport Suvarnabhumi for first class guests. What they may lack in the air they make up for here. When you land and leave the jet way they have a golf cart and driver to escort you to your next point. Whether that’s customs, baggage claim or the lounge and spa depending on your layover.

 

In our case since we had a tight connection and had to clear customs, we missed the lounge but we did get whisked away on a cart. It was pretty cool, to be greeted and immediately taken to security and escorted right through. It was a long 10 hour flight and to not have to wait in lines to get to our next point was fabulous. I would say that this process easily saved us about 20 minutes, and on a tight connection that was invaluable. Unfortunately because we had such a short layover and were on a domestic connection we were not able to enjoy the lounge and spa. Which for in/out bound first and business class passengers get a one or half hour massage respectively. On my last visit though here in 2013 I had a chance to partake and boy was it nice. I wish I could say other glowing things about Thai and their ground service, but since we only had a short layover, once we were escorted through customs we were left to or own devices. There was only about 15 minutes to boarding so we just headed to the gate. It would have been nice to be driven there, but hey who do I think I am. Ha.

We flew a 737-400 in both directions, I’m going to guess it was the same plane, because they only own two of them. This was definitely and old plane because the plane just showed its age in its color scheme and lack of any inflight monitors or entertainment. But that being said it was clean and well maintained. This plane has a total of 149 seats with business occupying the first three rows in a 2-2 configuration and coach in a 3-3. What made me so incredulous of these two flights of only of 55 minutes wheels up to wheels down was the service. The staff of three hustled and were just incredible. Coach guests got a cold boxed meal and drink service and in business they offered a hot meal. When was the last time you got peanuts in coach on a flight from LAX to SFO, let alone a boxed meal? Besides that, the hot food up front was actually pretty good. I thoroughly enjoyed them and would gladly have either one as a meal option on a domestic first class flight here in the states. US airlines are you paying attention here? How can an airline serve 149 meals and drinks in 55 minutes is incredible, and the fact that on many flights here of the same length just getting an option other than water or OJ can be a stretch.

 

Can I get a little legroom please?

 

 

This was the breakfast on the outbound. Congee (rice porridge) with mushrooms and shrimp with garlic and herbs on the side. It was delicious.

On the return leg for dinner, we had chicken two ways. It was an egg crepe and filled with chicken, mushrooms and onions. With a cold BBQ sauce on the side and a lemon/lime mousse cake. Again a really nice little meal.

Deplaning in Koh Samui

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed these super quick flights on Thai intra Thailand in business. The staff were friendly and the fact that they served food was pretty incredible. Food doesn’t make the trip but it sure enhanced it and for us after a very very long trip to get to this wonderful country having a lite meal made all the difference.