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Frankfurt Rhein-Main

After I reached the Terminal I was on my way to the Transfer Desk at Terminal 1 A. This means I had to go back a few meters. At the transfer desk I obviously disturbed a Lufthansa agent chatting with a colleague and was told, that they could no issue a boarding pass for Thai (although a sign said something different) and send me back to the Thai counters in the Terminal 1. I asked for the Number of the counter, only to be told, that this is Lufthansa and not Thai and she could not tell me, but her colleague told me the number of the counter.
So I had to head back in the terminal. The Number of the counter I was told was the counter of Air Canada. After I found the counter I had to wait some minutes, after it was my turn. Thank God, it was not very full. The process was handled by a member of Fraport (if I remember right). She was neither friendly nor unfriendly, took my FTL card and issued a boarding pass for the flight to BKK and the one to PNH. She also gets me an aisle seat in the first part of the Economy Class Cabin.

After I passed security and customs without problem and nobody in front of me, I went to the Business Class Lounge / Frequent Traveller Lounge near my Gate B 23 in Terminal 1 B. The Lounge was rather empty, but it became half full after some time. I spent the time by relaxing, drank some mineral water, eat some cookies and read “Die Zeit”. I left the Lounge at 20.00 (boarding time) and went to the gate, only to find this place crowed with passengers and members of the crew (but got a free seat).

12 January 2004
FRA – BKK
[Frankfurt – Bangkok]
TG 923 (Thai Airways); Boeing 747 – 400
20.55 – 13.05 [ 21.40 – 13.20 ]
Economy Class
Seat 39 H

Boarding began late at 20.45 with First Class / Business Class / Star Gold and families and then by row numbers.
I was one of the last passengers boarding the plane and greeted by a female flight attendant, who just want put the current issue of “Der Spiegel” to the displayed newspapers and handed it to me after I asked her if I could have this issue. I continue my way to my row (the othertwo seats 39I + 39J were occupied) and but my carry on and my sweat jacket in the overhead bin.
Boarding was completed at 21.25 but it took another ten minutes before we were pushed back. The captain made an announcement that we were delayed because of air traffic. The plane was nearly full in Economy, only a few seats remain empty.
Once airborne, headsets were distributed followed by a drink service and peanuts. In the meantime the menus were passed out and the in-flight entertainment was turned on. I decided to start reading the Spiegel and drink some water. Soon, the flight attendants passed out the special menus, so that I had a look at the menu myself.

I had the Lotte Fish, which was little bit dry, but tasted good, the Sauce was spicy and hot. The portion was large enough. I had a small glass of white wine to accompany the fish. I did not catch the full name, but I think it was a German Riesling (Baden?). My neighbour opted for the red wine, which was – If I remember correct – an Australian one. Refills of wine were frequently offered. Half an hour after the meal were distributed the flight attendants offered coffee, cognac and later on tea. This time I had a cognac and some coffee and after the empty trays were collected I continued to read the Spiegel instead of listening to the music channels or watch the films (something about the great wall of China).

The captain made an announcement about the remaining flight time (the whole flight time was 10:10 h) and the route, which took us – if I read my notices correct – over Austria, Hungary, the Black Sea, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan to Thailand
Round about 2.5 hours after take off the lights were dimmed and switched off after the film finished and I get some sleep. I cannot sleep very well in planes in Economy, although the legroom was quite okay and the seat not as uncomfortable as it looks like (no adjustable head rest; no food rest).
In the night every hour or so was a drink round with some glasses of water and a lot of glasses of orange juice. If I was awake, I took a glass of orange juice.
Three hours before landing the light was turned on and so was the in-flight entertainment. Hot towels were provided and breakfast / brunch was served 100 minutes prior to arrival.

The Breakfast tasted good and the flight attendants made several rounds offerings warm rolls and croissants and refills of coffee and tea. I enjoy having a slice of lime in my tea and cannot remember if Singapore Airlines offered this too.
The rest of the flight was as uneventful as the first part was. After the trays were collected the flight attendant distributed the Arrival Cards and Customs Informations. We landed in Bangkok only 15 minutes late.
The cabin was little bit worn off. From my point of view, Thai needs to refurbish their Economy Class. The Asian competitors have a more modern inseat entertainment systems and the seats itself are more comfortable, although the Thai Seat is not uncomfortable. It is just that I missed the food rest and the head rest, while the leg room is okay. The flight attendants on this flight were warm and friendly and had always a smile.

As I was in the first section of Economy Class Cabin and some passenger remain seated, because they could not reach the carry on in the overhead bins, I was one of the first Economy Class Passengers who went off the plane (through the galley and the Business Class Exit).

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