After checking in for my Singapore Airlines flight, I visited one of the only lounges currently open in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, the Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge in the E Gate area.
Thai Royal Orchid Lounge Bangkok Review (BKK)
While Thai Airways has many lounges at BKK, this appeared to be the only one actually open in November 2021.
Hours + Location + Access
According to the sign on the door, this is a lounge reserved for first class passengers and Star Alliance Gold passengers…however during the pandemic all premium cabin passengers can use this lounge. That includes:
- Star Alliance business and first class passengers
- Star Alliance Gold members
- “Customers from our contracted credit cards” (according to Thai Airways)
- Paid access is also available according to Thai’s website, though no price is indicated and I saw no signs at the door or reception desk
The lounge is open daily from 5:00am to 11:30pm.
It is located in Concourse E on the west side of level three.
Seating
The lounge contains room for 88 passengers with all seating in the form of leather chairs (no dining tables and no couches). There is one area that a ledge that appears to be intended for working.
Restrooms + Shower + Sleep Rooms
Restrooms were located in the center of the lounge and small but clean.
Both the shower and sleeps rooms were closed due to COVID-19.
Wi-Fi
Instead of just posting the wi-fi code on the flight departure screen or on placards, I received a convoluted instruction sheet on how to connect to the internet. In the end, I just didn’t bother…
Food + Drink
I thought this lounge did a decent job with food and drink. I had just finished a massive breakfast at the Hyatt Regency Bangkok and was in no mood for anything (more than water), but the spread included:
- shrimp dumplings
- cream buns
- Khoa Tom Mud
- minced garlic pork ball with rice
- spaghetti with chicken
- chicken green curry pie
- chicken mushroom pie
- spinach quiche
- instant noodles
- vanilla danish pastries
- cookies (butter and chocolate)
Drink selections included:
- coffee
- tea
- soft drinks
- beer
- water
- spirits
- Campari
- Jack Daniel’s whiskey
- Smirnoff vodka
- Bombay Sapphire gin
- Bushmills whiskey
- Bacardi white rum
CONCLUSION
While not a lounge I would arrive early to use, I thought the food and drink selection at the Thai Royal Orchid Lounge in Bangkok was acceptable and it proved to be a quiet place to wait for my flight (though the whole airport is quiet right now). My only complaint was that the internet was too far too complex to use…why not just have an open network?
Hi Matthew, lounges in several Asian countries have convoluted wifi access signups due to tracking requirements imposed by their respective governments. Generally, lounge attendants are happy to help with access issues as they are aware of the onerous burden placed on travelers, especially if the system can only send the OTP (one time password) to a local phone number.
Is it time to change the name of this blog to All Thailand all the Time” or start another for your strange fascination with this place? It’s starting to border on creepy how attached an American who appears to have family in America is to this place. What am I missing as I didn’t see this site as one that is specifically written for the few dozen Americans traveling there NOT to have sec with children.
Your absurd fascination with Thailand and pedophilia makes me think that perhaps YOU have something to hide. I am in the midst of a trip report on Thailand…that means a Thailand story every day until I get through the report. As you can see, I worked myself through the flights there, the quarantine procedure, the hotels, the L-1011 restaurant, and now the airport lounge and tomorrow my Singapore flights home.
When I am done with this report, I’ll move to a South Africa report. Are you going to accuse me of supporting apartheid?
Your unrelenting focus on the pernicious sex trade of Thailand borders on monomania. Thailand is so much more than that and you’ve never been there, so you have no idea.
On a broader note, which doesn’t even apply to Thailand, I will go anywhere in the world, regardless of how bad the government is. I’ll go to China, even though it puts Muslim minorities in concentration camps and has invaded Hong Kong. I’ll go to Arab and African nations, even though homosexuals and Christians are often persecuted. I visited Cuba during the Castro reign and Afghanistan despite great risk to personal safety. Because my philosophy when it comes to travel is that people-to-people contact is good for the world, not bad.
So you have no moral compass when it comes to what is condoned in other countries you “enjoy”. I actually respect that in most cases and feel the same about stuff that bothers others. But when it comes to exploiting of kids for sex I draw my line at supporting a place where kids are sold and few attempt to stop it. Thinking someone like you that has kids would have an issue promoting such a place, but hey we all can justify anything when it comes to making a buck.
As for your comment suggesting I have something to hide I would have thought that was below you as I have went out of my way to never accuse you of that. Maybe that type of pettiness is why you get threats, which honestly shocked me when you posted it.
But hey, as I said, we all have issues that are important to us personally for many reasons. The sex trade of kids isn’t one I ever thought would be controversial.
I don’t think you are a pedophile. I’m just so bemused by your laser focus on this topic. And it was in response to your comment, in which you called me “creepy” and made the same indirect allegation you now call me petty for making against you.
Do you really think that Thailand is the only nation where those who want it can find children to abuse? That happens in nations all over the world. So should we just stay home? It’s not like the U.S. is free from this either:
https://www.justice.gov/usao-nv/pr/pedophile-sentenced-20-years-prison-role-child-exploitation-enterprise
Why do you continue to conflate Thailand the nation with the vices that may be available in Thailand?
Here’s the thing: I’m for castrating pedophiles for their first offense and executing them for a repeat offense. How’s that’s for strict? But stop linking the entire nation of Thailand to the child sex trade, as if they are synonymous. It is beyond absurd.
Hey Matthew thanks for your articles I appreciate all the good articles on Thailand. That idiot that started a fight with you is a moron. It’s disgusting how many Americans attack other countries when the USA is probably the worst for sex trafficking. That guy probably hasn’t left USA just like like most Americans they live in a bubble. Keep writing great content and merry Christmas
@Dave: How long have you been reading Matthew’s blog? He’s been blogging about all sorts of things, not just Thailand?
Have you ever been to Thailand? I’m guessing not. I’ve been 7 times in the last 20 years. You are basing your dispersions on VERY old information…like some old article or TV segment from the 1980’s.
I’ve never once seen child trafficking in Thailand. All Thais I know would be mortified by your assertions. I’m sure it happens on the fringes of society but I challenge you to find a country where this ISN’T happening.
Leave the travel journalists and tourists alone you silly person.
If your comments were any more ridiculous, one might find them moderately humorous. Your lack of understanding of Thailand staggers the mind. Open your mind. Do some research and stop the ignorance.
And just like that, the test and go program in Thailand is suspended till further notice…thanks S Africa
Thai puff pies have survived covid! There’s hope for us all.
That’s mmhmm yum
So the Thai lounges are still anti-wine. I’ve always found that to be odd.
Matthew, we want to thank you for your Thailand series. We’ve really enjoyed it in prep for our upcoming trip. Although selecting a hotel amongst all of the fantastic options in Bangkok and across Thailand will remain a very fun conundrum. One of these days we’d love to stay at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok – it just seems crazy pricey for Bangkok, especially with all of the amazing deals on offer across the city. Your 2 Hyatt reviews were great – those coupled with the places I’ve already stayed (ROS, Conrad, Le Meridien, both Hyatts, St Regis and others) and I’m still not sure where we should stay. 🙂 And as a coffee lover, I can’t wait to try out some of the places you reviewed. Thanks again for this series and we’re looking forward to your upcoming SA one as well.
Thank you Michael!
I want to stay at the Rosewood next time. I passed it on my walk and it looks so nice.