TG 924 BKK-MUC

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Cathaana and I took a taxi form our hotel and it needed some louder words by cathaana before the driver used the meter. We decided to pay toll at the toll station ourselves by giving a 100 THB note and getting the change. We arrived at the terminal with 142 THB and well the driver claimed to have no change on my 150 THB. 8 THB is not an issue so I let him go.

We headed to check in and I leant that my flight to Munich was full. Only middle seats were left. Have not been in a middle seat on a long haul since 2001 I asked carefully about changes for a better seat. I was told, that changes are limited, as the flight was overbooked and the agent working at check in told me they are upgrading Star Gold from Economy to Business and from Business to First, but as Star Silver my chances for an upgrade would not be the best and also for another seat the changes are limited.

Okay, if you could not change it I will have to live with it.

So I paid the departure tax and passed immigration without problem. Cathaana and I headed for the LH lounge to get German Newspapers and Magazines and than changed in on of the ugly TG lounges. We had not that much time, so we did not care about the lounges that much. At the entrance, the agent let us in, i.e. me as a guest of cathaana but pointed out, that I only allowed as guest of a Star Gold if I am on the same flight. Cathaana was taking the flight to Frankfurt while I was booked on the flight to Munich.It has never been a problem, except once in Zurich in November. If I remember it, Juan516 discussed this with the manager on duty of the Swiss lounge.

The flight to Frankfurt was also fully booked.

I decided to head for the gate a bit earlier, because I had trolley and hand luggage and therefore need a bit more space in the overhead bin. Cathaana’s flight leaved at one of the “20 gates” and after a fast “Good Bye” I was on my way to my plane, not really looking forward for being cramped in a middle seat for the next 12 hours. Again I had to pass the security screening near gate 15. The waiting area at the gate was packed with people and I stand near the ramp for the jet bridge and waited for boarding announcement.

30 May 2006
BKK – MUC
[Bangkok International – Munich Franz Josef Strauß]
TG 924 (Thai Airways); Boeing 747 – 400
Gate 15
12:40 – 19:10 [effective 13:03 – 19:07]
Economy Class
Seat 37 J

Boarding started a bit late with First and Business Class and Star Gold Passengers. Well this time, I could not board I had to wait another five minutes before the boarding announcement for the rest of the passengers were made. Passing the entrance to First and Business Class with a sentimental feeling …

I was greeted in the plane by two friendly flight attendants, who showed me the way to my seat. I stored my hand luggage and my laptop and waited for the other passengers. I happened that the aisle and the window seat were taken by couple and she immediately asked if I mind to change seats as she preferred to have a seat aside her husband. Of course, I did not mind … And it seems they were returning from their holiday and we chatted quite a bit on the flight about Asia. It was their first trip to Asia. Seeing my collection of boarding passes and my notes they also asked about my trip. After a bit, I decided to give a short version of this trip and they were impressed, though they could not really understand why on earth one is travelling that much just for fun. I gave in addition some comments about Singapore and Hong Kong and told them Malaysia is also a nice destination and very often available on some good deals by tour operators.

But that was later on the flight and the flight was not that worse I had thought during check in.

The flight would be delayed and therefore the headphones were distributed on the ground as the menus were.

We pushed back at with a delay of 20 minutes at 13:03 taxied to our runway. At 13:18 the take off comment for the crew were given and we were airborne 2 minutes later.

Up in the air after 20 minutes flight time assorted nuts were distributed and a bit later a hot towel service took place. I skipped the “nuts service” and continue to read the NZZ (it is very handy format for reading in a plane). Beverage service started after 45 minutes flight time, but was interrupted as the captain expected heavy turbulences and asked the crew to take the seats, too. It was not that worse and the service continued after 10 minutes. I got the whole can of the Tonic Water I had ordered.

10 minutes later the meal service started and I decided to have lunch. I thought about to skip it, but was a bit hungry.

I opted for the Snapper. As it was my turn, it was not available, but the flight attendant told me to wait, it was in the galley available and he would bring it immediately. It was brought two minutes later by another flight attendant. That is what I call service.

I only ate the main course, but this was good and really spicy. The portion was large and the fish this time was okay. Again, I got the high quality of food I like Thai Airways for and I expected to get.

A refill of my Tonic Water was also offered, which means in this case I got another can. It was a really friendly service. I could imagine it was a hard job to be in a full plane in Economy, but they were the whole flight friendly and had always a smile for the passengers.

It took some time till the trays were collected and coffee and tea were offered. I had opted for tea. The flight attendants with the tea seems to know where the tea drinking passengers were sitting, as he straight went after the first round to these seats and asked for a refill. It is impressive to sea this in Economy. I would expect this in Business or First, but never in Economy.

Again Cognac or Whiskey were available for dessert.

After 2 hours and 20 minutes the meal service was finished and a little bit later the crew dimmed the cabin light. Fortunately the most passengers in the front of the cabin decided not lower the window shade and I was able to read without reading light. I listened to one of the 12 music channels, but did not watch any of the 4 movies shown on this flight on the big screen.

Time passed very quickly and the flight was uneventful and very calm. We had strong headwinds and therefore would make in time to Munich but due to the delay not land much ahead of schedule. During the flight the flight attendant made several beverage rounds offering water, orange and apple juice and on later rounds also coke, as there was a demand for this drink. A very attentive service. During the flight also sandwiches were served.

2 hours 20 minutes lights were switched on five minutes later hot towels were offered. A bit later the dinner menu was served followed by another round of beverages.

I opted the Chicken Curry, which again tasted very good, very spicy and was medium hot – I think some people would have called it very hot.

The meal service was finished after a round of coffee and tea with a selection of spirits after an hour or so. The rest of the flight was uneventful and we touched down at 19:00 and were at our gate 7 minutes later.
It took some time to leave the plane, because this time, Business and First Class passengers could deboard the plane before Economy was allowed to leave it.

I went straight to the FTL lounge to get the boarding pass for my flight to Düsseldorf. This was issued and asking about an earlier flight I was told to ask in the Schengen area on level lower at the G Gates.

At Immigration there was no one in front of me, as I used the right side, while on the left side where the plane had arrived several passengers were queuing.

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