March/April 2008 Jfk/Bkk/Kix Business Class. New York/Bangkok uneventful except vegetarian meal was inedible and the same meal served three times during flight. Crew very nice, beautiful new A345. I always have found the Thai Airways policy of a dark plane immediately after take-off (12 noon) strange but went to washroom to see out and amazing view of snow as we went north.
Problems came when checking in for flight to Osaka. Showed business class check in agent (supervisor no less) Air Canada e ticket and yes she could see my booking that night, seat selection and special meal request but no she would not allow me on the flight. Some technicality of new flight number for a change to the itinerary I had made six months before, an omission I pointed out was not my responsibility but to no avail.The Thai Airways ticket office at Bkk told her it was obvious that I had a reservation and that it was her call and she flatly refused to allow my boarding. I asked her what she thought I should do under the circumstances and even though I clearly had passage on Thai she told me to buy a ticket. She even insinuated that any one could go on to their computers and make a change.
Confidence building that one. No explanation including dragging her to the Thai Airways ticket office, airport post office to access the internet and an email from Thai Airways in LAX would satisfy this agent/supervisor that I was supposed to be on flight 622 that night. After much stress I called Air Canada and the problem was solved. Her response was "I bet you won’t come to Thailand again huh after this?" and I replied no I love Thailand but I will think again before booking with Thai. I took my boarding pass and went to the supposedly flagship Thai lounge at BKK and was appalled at the lack of amenities. Compared to Singapore Airlines it Changi it was bad. Not even a glass of red wine to be had and bad finger food.
Bangkok Airways had a better lounge. I boarded flight 622 and the oldest 777 I have flown with business class seats that were missing seat control buttons and therefore would not recline for an overnight flight. Vegetarian appetizer was tofu in the shape of a spare rib. I have to ask what vegetarian wants their food to look like pork? I mean really? While in Bangkok it was apparent that Thai Air is in turmoil as a story in the newspaper of the minister in the Thai government in charge of Thai Airways has banned younger (ie rude) flight attendants from the flagship longer routes. The contrast with the wonderful ANA flight on the return leg was huge. Given a choice I will not fly Thai Air again even flying longer routes with a stop.