Thai Airways Royal Silk Business Class, Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur

I had one last leg remaining on the award ticket for my outbound journey. I was connecting to Kuala Lumpur where I would spend my first night in a bed after 2 nights in a row sleeping on planes.

Thai Airways A330-300 like I rode between Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. ^{_{Photo credit: Flickr}}

Because I am a geek, and now was traveling alone without my wife to maintain sanity in travel plans, I added an extra flight to visit the Thai Royal First lounge and spa. I’ll review that later, but this is how I ended up going to Kuala Lumpur. That and the cheap flights from there to my ultimate destination, Siem Reap Cambodia. It wasn’t that far out of the way, and I love KL, so I was happy to have another day there.

Thai Airways Royal Silk Business Class A330

The flight from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur was on a A330-300 as pictured above. Thai has several configurations of these planes. For this flight the business class cabin had older recliner seats. Nothing too exciting, but plenty comfortable for the 2 hour long flight. Here is a photo showing the cabin configuration for this flight:

Thai A330-300 Business Class with older recliner seats _{^{Photo Credit: Flickr}}

Service was pretty typical for Thai regional business class, as I’ve experienced before. There is a drink service (tea or water) and newspapers offered before take off. Then a meal service. I misplaced the menu card for this segment, but I did take a photo of the meal.

Thai Royal Orchid Business Class meal Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur

The meal was fine, there were some seared scallops and a caprese salad, with chicken and potato curry served with rice and some teamed veggies. Plus there was a dinner roll and a dessert. Not bad at all for the short flight. I had food in the lounge beforehand, not to mention all of the chowing down on the flights prior to this.

Some unique traffic at KUL. Not much of a livery though…

Thai Royal Orchid Lounge Kuala Lumpur

I had an overnight layover in Kuala Lumpur and then flew to Siem Reap. For the return portion of the trip, I reversed this route from KL back to Bangkok. I had a few hours in KUL before my flight, but unfortunately, I couldn’t get my boarding pass from the transfer desk because apparently it was too early. I walked around the terminal for a while, and eventually decided to try my luck at the Thai Royal Orchid Lounge.

tarmac view from the Royal Orchid Lounge in Kuala Lumpur

I was hoping I could get my boarding pass in the lounge, or if not, I would be allowed in. The agent there saw that I was in Business Class, so she welcomed me in, but I will would have to return to the transfer desk for my boarding pass later. The lounge was fine, very spacious, with nice views and had decent food options.

The Thai Royal Orchid Lounge. Yep, its purple!

Eventually I left the lounge to try to get my boarding pass. The transfer desk had some problems, but eventually decided to let me go with this:

Handwritten boarding pass on Malaysia card stock. At least I had something now

Singapore Airlines Silver Kris Lounge Kuala Lumpur

I still had a little time before boarding, so I headed to the Singapore Silver Kris lounge, just to see what else it had to offer. It is smaller than the Thai lounge, and much more crowded. There were fewer food options, but slightly more alcohol and beverage selections, plus Singapore branded glassware. Both lounges were operated by Plaza Premium.

Soon before boarding time I departed for the gate. At the security check there, I was finally given a more official looking boarding card. From there I boarded the A330 bound for Bangkok. I was surprised to see a completely different cabin configuration from what I had on the inbound flight. Now the seats were a more modern angled lie flat shell seat. Thai calls this the 33H, and also has Audio Video on Demand and wifi. Thai is (in)famous for switching equipment, and this configuration typically flies on longer routes. I was happy to try the newer configuration for this short flight.

Angled Lie-flat Business Class seat on Thai A330 ^{_{Photo Credit: Flickr}}

I also kept the menu from this segment so I can share that here:

Kuala Lumpur – Bangkok

First Course
Carpaccio of Smoked Duck topped with Capsicum and Mozzarella Pearls, Stuffed Tomato with Papaya Salad

Main Course
Fried Siam Perch with Soya Bean Sauce, Steamed Thai Hom Mali Rice, Oriental Vegetables
or
Stir-fried Chicken with Hoisin Black Peper Sauce, Oriental Fried Rice, Taiwanese Cabbage with Garlic
or
Prawn with Dry Tom Yom, Steamed Thai Hom Mali Rice, Salted Egg

Bread, Butter

Dessert

Tiramisu Mousse with Coffee Jelly, Vanilla Anglaise
Tea, Coffee
Espresso, Cappuccino

* * *

I opted for the chicken. It was spicy enough to be flavorful, and nothing exciting, it beats most meals I consume in the air (the United Burrito comes to mind).

Dinner on Thai Royal Orchid service KUL-BKK

Once back in Bangkok, I made my way through immigration, and to my hotel, the Best Western Amaranth where I had a short night before continuing my journey towards home.

Note: I reviewed both flights between Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur here. That took things slightly out of chronological order, but I thought it would be easier to keep these similar flights together. My series will resume in order, with my stay in Kuala Lumpur, then my flight onward to Siem Reap.

Review: Thai Airways Royal Silk Business Class, Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur

Thai Airways Royal Silk Business Class A330

Thai Royal Orchid Lounge Kuala Lumpur

Singapore Airlines Silver Kris Lounge Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur – Bangkok

Other posts in this series:

About Brad

Thai Airways Royal Silk Business Class A330

Thai Royal Orchid Lounge Kuala Lumpur

Singapore Airlines Silver Kris Lounge Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur – Bangkok

Other posts in this series:

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About Brad