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CNX Thai Royal Silk Lounge

CNX Thai Royal Silk Lounge

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February 2011

At 7AM, we had one final fond look at this beautiful resort...

With our luggage (one carry-on each... Mrs. SFO has come a long way!) and box breakfasts (delicious Thai omelet and rice) in the limo, we headed out for the long, mostly tedious 3.5 hour drive to CNX.

Arriving at roughly T-90, we had plenty of time to clear initial security to enter the terminal, check in, clear primary security before heading to the CNX Royal Silk Lounge.

TG Mystery #2: OK I get no row 13, but what's with the bizarre seat numbering system on the A300?
Version 1: The five J row 28 seat A300 (BKK-CEI)...
11
12
14
22
23
Version 2: And the eight row A300 (CNX-HKT)...
11
12
14
15
16
22
23
24

Again yesterday, OLCI showed seats already assigned, no option to change and "see agent" for BP. We were assigned 22AB the bulkhead in the second cabin, but opted for the front cabin bulkhead 11AB at check-in. A wise choice since boarding was by 2L, the door in between the two J cabins.

The CNX Royal Silk Lounge was much nicer than the BKK lounge, not so much for the food offerings but mostly for the gorgeous attendant, who I was unable to subtly photo close-up without her, but more importantly, Mrs. SFO catching me. Sorry guys.

As we board, the now familiar combination of electronic and manual/hand written signs.

TG 129
CNX-HKT (Chiang Mai to Phuket)
A300-600
February 6, 2011
12:40P-2:35P
Seats 11AB

Excellent inflight service by another friendly and efficient Thai crew, tasty sweet and sour fried fish lunch, and an on-time arrival at HKT.

February 2011
TG 202
HKT-BKK
B747-400
February 9, 2011
10:05A-11:35A
Seats 1AK

One of the best and most comfortable one hour flights I've had in a long time.

This is one of those TG flights that operates with a three class international 744 yet is sold only as a two class. So seats in the First Class cabin are available on a first come first served basis to those that know enough to ask for it. OLCI produced the now fully expected pre-assigned seats, with no changes permitted. Presumably due to my *G status, I was assigned 3A in the First Class cabin, but Mrs. SFO (on the same PNR) was assigned 25F (aisle seat "in the galley") in the lower Business Class cabin.

At check-in I asked the agent about changing seats resulting in this exchange.
Agent: Would you like seats in the upper deck?
SFO: I'd prefer two seats in the First Class cabin since I'm already there.
Agent: I don't have two seats together in that cabin, but I do have 1A and 1K.
SFO: Those would be great thank you!!

Smugly satisfied with my "coup" we head for our third Royal Silk lounge of the week, with funky 80's decor...

Then off to the gate...

And the usual handwritten TG sign...

Time to board....

Talk about spacious! All one hour domestic flights should be this nice.

Our classy cabin mates...

Giving me the evil eye...

TMI, TMI...

PDB included ginger tea which was very nice. Post departure, warm towels and another tasty hot fish dish, and more ginger tea, served by another friendly and efficient cabin crew.

Our flight path on descent into BKK...

Orient Thai 744 on final just ahead of us...

Taxing to the gate...

In summary, while TG's ground and boarding process leaves something to be desired and isn't even in the same league as AA, once on board, TG is a very good product. And while not the most current hard product, I'd definitely like to try long-haul TG First.

This was our first visit to Thailand, and we were so taken by the friendliness, personality and caring nature of so many of the Thais we met. What a great experience!
 

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