Lounge hopping, all waiting rooms at Bangkok airport (domestic flights)
Recently I found myself flying from BKK, Thailand's main airport, to Chang Mai. A flight that lasted less than [...]
BKK
Thailand
I recently found myself flying from BKK, Thailand's main airport, to Chang Mai. A flight lasted less than 60 minutes aboard Thai Smile, the low-cost carrier owned by Thai Airways.
In this article:
Although Thai is a Star Alliance airline, Thai Smile is a kind of second-class member. Those who fly aboard this airline are not granted benefits under the status, unless it is a continuous flight from a route operated by Thai or other SA carriers.
Did you get your flight cancelled, miss your connection, land late?
You could get up to 600€ compensation per person
This translates into no priority check-in, fast track, and lounge access.
Lounges for domestic flights from Bangkok
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is a huge, single terminal, the largest airport construction in the world. It is, however, divided into two zones. Gates A and B are dedicated to domestic flights and have separate gates and security checks than those heading out of the Kingdom.
Right now, March 2023, there are 4 lounges in this area of the airport and all of them are accessible through the priority pass card, so completely free for American express platinum cardholders or gold cardholders who can take advantage of two accesses per year.
The lounges are from two airlines, Thai and Bangkok Airways, and two independents, Coral and Miracle First
As mentioned, they are all accessible to holders of PP, and other similar cards, only that in the Bangkok Airways lounge you only get in if you fly with this airline, all others, however, make no difference based on ticket or class of service.
Miracle Lounge Bangkok
This is the first lounge you encounter, the one who would seem to be the biggest loser of the group and instead turned out to be number one By gastronomic proposal. In fact, it is in the corridor leading to the gates. It is impossible to miss because it is just to the left of the treadmills that take passengers to the boarding gates.
Being in the corridor, it is long and narrow. It could not be otherwise.
Immediately after the reception, on the two sides, is the buffet area. And it is incredibly rich. I have already reviewed a couple of other Miracle of this airport and I must say that, aesthetics aside, the quality of the products is absolutely similar to that of the international area. The buffet offers everything from sweet to savory, from ice cream to ethnic offerings-it would really be a mistake to "skip" this lounge because of its seemingly unattractive exterior. The substance is there and it is very solid.
Also on the beverage side there is a super fridge stocked with drinks, a hot proposal machine, and several bottles of super alcohol, even though it is 10 a.m.
Continuing toward the hallway is the seating area. There are various types of possibilities: from high stools, to areas more suitable for relaxing, to a small work area. In short, there is everything.
Rated 7.5
Coral Lounge
This lounge is located in the central body of the boarding area, immediately to the left as you arrive in the shopping area.
Of the lounges in this terminal, this one is the most beautiful by far.
First because it has high ceilings and directly overlooks the terminal building with a view of the garden. Second because it is flooded with very relaxing natural light, and third because to make it more relaxing, it has been decorated as if it were a winter turnaround. Very beautiful.
The buffet is less varied than the Miracle, but even here there is a little bit of everything from sweet to savory, including ice cream. The front desk also doubles as a bar for booze, and for hot drinks there is the monster Nescafe machine that makes anything, and I got an espresso.
The highlight of this lounge is the dedicated Tea cart and especially the china for hot drinks: if it were in Italy they would have to redo the assortment every day from how beautiful they are, and I am sure that going to some friend's house I would be served coffee in one of these cups.
The seats also look better than the Miracle, both in location and view. In short, it loses a few points on eating but makes up for it amply with aesthetics.
Rated 7.5
Thai Royal Silk
This is the official lounge of Thai Airways. As mentioned, although traveling Thai Smile and with Gold Star Alliance level, I could not have entered, but from a year now the Kingdom's national airline has opened up to PP its lounges, a way to cash in on fresh money. Not all lounges are available, only those on domestic flights from Bangkok, Chang Mai and Phuket.
Of the three lounges, I have to say it is the worst. In all respects, both visually and in terms of food offerings. Of the three lounges, however, it is the largest: the difference with the lounges in the international area is a lot, especially with the brand new signature lounge opened shortly after the pandemic outbreak.
Boring seating, few power outlets, and inferior food offerings to the other two lounges.
Rated 6.0
Bangkok Airways Boutique Lounge
As mentioned, it has a sui generis policy, i.e., you can only enter PP lounges if you fly with the airline, not with other carriers. Flying Thai I was therefore bounced.
It will be for the next time. Rated N.P.
In conclusion
Being an Amex Platinum holder not only protects against the inconveniences and insures all family members, but thanks to the Priority Pass allows free entry in all the lounges of the network countless times, even on the same day, without anyone objecting.
What is even more important to remember is that by being able to have a Platinum Supplement the benefits double and a family of 4 can enter the lounge for free and save tens and tens of euros every time he travels by eating and drinking for free in lounges instead of airport clubs.
