A pre-flight 60 minute massage, a private room with a TV, couch and desk with full meal service. These are some of the features of departing from Bangkok in Thai Airways Royal First Class.
Excellent ground services
Along with the Lufthansa First Class Terminal in Frankfurt, the Thai Airways lounge and spa (review of a past visit) in Bangkok are the best airport ground services I have experienced. I have enjoyed this before, and anytime I am on a First Class ticket through Asia, I’ll do my best to get a flight departing from Bangkok. The experience is so worth additional legs if you can make it work.
After my stay at the Royal Orchid Sheraton, I took a cab for the easy ride back to the airport. This was the first time a cabbie stopped mid fare for a toilet break. Annoying in that he was cutting in to my lounge time, but when you gotta go….
Thai Royal First Check in
I made my way towards the Thai Royal First check in area, which is a separate area on the far left of the main departure hall.
As I entered, I handed over my passport, and I pointed to a seating area and provided a cold bottle of water and towel while my boarding passes were printed. Once completed, one of the agents escorted me through security, where there was a short line. Once on the other side of security, there was a cart waiting to drive me to the Royal First Lounge. Among other things, Thai’s ground service seems to consist of making sure First and Business class guests don’t have to do too much walking in any airport, particularly BKK.
In case you forget what class of service you are in while moving through the terminal
Thai Royal First Class Lounge
After a high-speed ride to the lounge, I was warmly welcomed, and I inquired about a massage appointment, and escorted to my own private living room in the Royal First Lounge.
Welcome to the Royal First Lounge
Another towel and cool drink, interestingly a colorless towel and a purple beverage, reversing the offering at check in.
There is a full menu, as well as a buffet, although it seems that the lounge attendants will serve food to order. There is also a large array of reading materials from all over the world. Service is excellent, but once they provide initial service, the attendants kind of disappear. It is not intrusive, which I like, and a quick glance outside yields a quick response.
Thai Royal First Spa Treatment
The massage that I arranged earlier schedule for shortly after I arrived in the lounge. Shortly after settling in, someone escorted me to the Royal First Spa across the hall.
Once at the spa I took a seat in the waiting area and another towel and a refreshing beverage. This time a cool towel and some sort of tea. I was in the waiting area for a few minutes before the therapist introduced herself. Similar to other massages I have had in Thailand, she didn’t speak much English, but that was not an issue at all.
Rules posted in the spa
There are various services offered to spa guests. The full listing is available on Thai’s website here.
Royal First Spa Menu
Here is part of the menu for First Class passengers:
Royal Orchid Spa is primarily designed to serve Royal First and Royal Silk Class passengers with full ranges of spa services.
Opening hours: 06:00 am. – 11:30 pm.
General Facilities:
- 32 Seated Lounge Area
- Healthy Snack
- Hot/Cold Herbal Drink
First Class Zone Facilities:
- 3 Touch Of Silk Suites (Body Massage)
- 6 Neck & Shoulder or Relaxing Foot Massage Corners
- 2 Steam Rooms
- 2 Sauna Rooms
- 4 Shower Rooms
- Toilets
Treatment Menu:
Touch of Silk Massage (Full Body Oil Massage – 60 minutes for First Class only)
Start your journey with a relaxing Touch of Silk, full body oil massage. Performed with the unique ‘Thai touch’, this massage will help to prepare your body for your onward flight by increasing blood circulation as well as relieving muscular tension and helping to provide necessary hydration for your skin. On completion of your Thai Silk massage, you will be left with an overall sense of well-being and total relaxation.
Thai Massage for Relaxation (Full Body Massage – 60 minutes for First Class only)
Thai Massage is perceived as one of the most precious of Thai Traditional Therapies. A Thai Massage helps to stimulate blood circulation, reduces edema caused by travelling and reduces body fatique. With its unique techniques of Acupressure, expertly applied to your body, you will find your mind relaxed and muscle relieved, following the stress of your journey.
Thai Royal Stretching (Full Body Massage – 60 minutes for First Class only)
Thai Royal Stretching Treatment is a wonderful experience, providing total relief of body tension. This treatment uses stretching technique combined with Acupressure technique to stimulate blood circulation and relief of muscle stiffness frequently experienced by long haul flight guests.
Views of the treatment room
Once in the treatment room, I went to the bathroom/dressing area and changed into the odd garment required during the service. It’s basically a disposable brief made of see through fabric. Although not naked, little is left to the imagination. Wearing underwear would be much more modest, but rather than debate the matter, I donned the required gear and a bath robe, and returned to the treatment room.
The hour-long massage was lovely, and a great way to relax before a long haul flight. I realize massage is a point of pride in Thailand, but I wish something like this would be offered elsewhere. I certainly make a point of routing through Bangkok if possible on an award trip.
Dining in Thai Royal First Lounge
After my massage, I showered and headed back to the lounge and returned to my ‘living room’. I figured I’d have a little snack, to take advantage of the variety of food options.
a menu of various dining options available in the lounge
I started with some tea
and some curry
I went with Thai cuisine, but there is a wide array of food options available. I would have liked to try more of the diverse menu, but I knew I had lots more food to come on my flight in Royal First Class to Frankfurt. Stay tuned!
The Thai Royal First ground experience is like nothing else I have experienced. It is worth routing through Bangkok if able on trips to/through Southeast Asia to partake in this. Highly recommended.
