Hello everyone! Continuing on with Part 2 of my travels, this segment will take me from BKK-CNX and back again. For the other 3 Parts, please use these links:

Part 1: RDU-ORD-NRT-BKK
Part 2: BKK-CNX-BKK
Part 3: BKK-PEK
Part 4: PEK-ICN-SFO-RDU



I'll do most of the writing up front here and leave the pictures for last.

I met up with my Dad in Bangkok for a day before heading up to Chiangmai. Since he is disabled (he never refers to himself as that), I figured why not try out the Royal Silk domestic service on TG? He'll be comfortable, even though it's a short flight and the tickets weren't that expensive. Yes, some might put up a fuss when I could have picked up some cheap tix on Air Asia or TG econ, but hey....why not live a little?

October 7, 2012
BKK-CNX
Thai Airways Flt 116
747-400
Dep: 5:20pm
Arr: 6:30pm
Seat: 11J,K

We left our hotel around 2:30 and decided to try the Airport Express Train. This proved to be a bit of an adventure and took longer than we would have liked. A taxi would have had us there in 30 minutes, but this took on the long side of 45 minutes. We left the Silom MRT station and headed up to Phutchaburi station where we then had to walk outside, down the street and over to Makasaan Station to catch the Express. It was a LOT of walking. Dragging suitcases along made it difficult, but oh well. The ride in was easy and we were finally in the airport.

Domestic Royal Silk check-in was a breeze and we were done and through security in no time! Now, the long trek to the lounge! We realized that our gate was in E and the lounge was in D or something like that. Anyone who has been there knows how long the walk can be. By the time we actually got to the lounge, we really didn't have much time. We grabbed a couple seats in the atrium area, had some nibbles and tried to get on the internet. What a mess that was. Terrible connection speeds and I finally gave up! Just before boarding time, we headed over to our gate and found two LONG lines of people waiting to board. There was no distinction between Royal Silk and Econ and I assume we missed the boarding call for RS, so we just stood in line. I was excited to see that our ride today was in *A livery! We finally got onboard and headed upstairs where we left the madness of the first floor behind (it was very hectic!). Meanwhile, it was very quiet up top and we were relaxed in minutes! Thankfully also, we had the new Business Class seats!

Service started right away with drinks. I must say, out of all the TG flights I have been on (Economy, Premium Econ and now Royal Silk), this crew was by far the best! Maybe it was because of the light load upstairs or the short flight, but they were top notch! Very personable, helpful and not in a rush or robotic in anyway. We enjoyed predeparture drinks of Lemongrass (delicious!) and a hot towel.

Once underway, the crew went into action and served us light refreshments. Very good and hit the spot (see pics below). The meal was followed up by some good coffee, with seconds offered! All that in a one hour flight! It was great!

My return flight would be in "Business Class" on Thai Smile. I'll write about that after I post pictures of this flight here.

Express Train to BKK


Domestic Lounge


Our ride to CNX! *A!


Up the stairs


My Dad heading on up!


Mmm…pre-departure Lemongrass drink. So light and refreshing!


View before eating!


Chicken on the left, a little chicken something (didn’t have a menu) on the right in the cabbage leaf and then dessert was a coconut tapioca type thing. All very good!

We arrived in CNX feeling good and ready to meet our friends! They then wanted to take us out for dinner, so we powered on and ate more food!

My time was short in Chiangmai. My Dad was staying on for a few more days, but I was heading up to China!

October 10, 2012
CNX-BKK
Thai Airways Flt 711
A320
Dep: 1:30pm
Arr: 2:40pm
Seat: 31K

Well, my friend (who drove me back to the airport) decided that it was ok to leave by 12:15 for my 1:30pm flight! I hate rushing and that would probably mean I would miss the “lounge” in CNX and run to my gate. Well, being that he was a former TG flight attendant, knew CNX very well and knew I would be fine. I wasn’t so sure and then we didn’t even end up leaving his place until 12:30! I was getting stressed.

We arrived 15 minutes later and I said some quick good-byes and rushed in. The Royal Silk counter was empty, so it was a matter of picking up my boarding pass and since I wasn’t checking luggage, I headed straight up stairs. Security was empty, so straight through I went! I was in the lounge 5 minutes after getting my BP. I had time to enjoy the lounge after all! Boarding didn’t start until 1:15pm, so while it wasn’t a lot of time, I wasn’t running to my gate. Don’t….like….stress….when….travelling….

Boarding started and I found one long line in front of the podium. Thai Smile has three lanes for boarding. One for business class and the other two for economy class by row. The business class line was not marked well, so people kind of stood around not knowing where to go. Finally, I walked up and realized no one was in the BC line and when I stood there, the gate agent assumed I was in economy and gave me a “look”. I showed her my boarding pass and she grunted some sort of acknowledgment. Ok…

Oh – how could I forget. Why does Thai Smile start their seating rows at 31? I was confused when I checked in and thought “What? Did I get bumped from Business Class?” But for some reason, the first row is 31. Anyone shed light on that?

Boarding was easy and quick. There is definitely a “low cost” feel to how they do things, but the Thai Smile girls are still friendly, but a little robotic and seem to still be “finding their way”. It was all good though. A wealthy group of Indian’s (husbands and wives with their friends) boarded and were all seated in Business Class. They seemed to be enjoying themselves, but were very loud. When the safety demo’s started, they spoke even louder over the flight attendant doing the briefing. I thought it a bit rude. At least sit there and wait until it’s over.

Ok, on to the pictures.



Legroom shot. Sorry, no cabin shots this time. It was a little chaotic and I start feeling self-conscious when photographing other people. I guess I’ll learn as I do more TR’s!


Clean windows!


Beautiful mountains, as you all know!


You can see CNX in the top right as we depart and turn south


Snack boxes are delivered


It was “ok”. They had the same type of meat on the left as they did in the wrap. They could have changed it up a little and provided different meats at least, but oh well. The muffin was “chocolate”, but I use that term loosely!


The coffee did help save the day and wash down the snack box. I’m now not sure why they have business class on Thai Smile. I think it’s nice and all, but why not just save the money and do a single, low cost class airline offshoot and keep Royal Silk on the mainline.


On our way to BKK


I was surprised to see flooding still. Am I seeing things??

This guy just departing for DXB


As we are parking, there is another Thai Smile plane parked and ready to go!


Arriving was easy a pain free. Since I had my bags with me, I walked straight out and down to the Express Train again. This time, I was going to Praya Thaya station and catch the Sky Train over to my hotel (Westin Grande Sukumvit). It was rush hour, so it was total madness on the trains. Oh well…..I just shoved my way on, luggage and all! Saved me a few baht doing the trains, but more stress than a taxi. Haha!

Ahh….finally arrived in my tranquil hotel room for one night.


I have been to Bangkok a number of times, so I know the area pretty well. I decided to get back on the train after a shower and freshen up and head over to Sala Daeng and hit up Office Depot and Naj. Naj is one of the best Thai restaurants in Thailand. No, it’s not street food, but it is a good place to relax and have some nice food!



Canapes


Satay


And the rest is history! One last view of the pool before I turn in for the night!



[Edited 2012-10-19 14:41:10]