Review: Thai Airways Business Lounge Bangkok Airport (BKK)

During my exotic journey to Bangkok via Paris, I flew Thai Airways’ Boeing 787 business class from Bangkok (BKK) to Milan (MXP). Prior to my flight, I had the chance to check out several of the Star Alliance lounge options in Bangkok, and in this installment, I’d like to review the Thai Airways Royal Orchid Prestige Lounge (I’ve also reviewed the EVA Air Lounge and Turkish Airlines Lounge).

While Thai Airways has nine(ish) lounges at Bangkok Airport, the Royal Orchid Prestige Lounge is Thai Airways’ flagship lounge facility, which first opened in late 2019 (not exactly great timing for opening a new international lounge in Bangkok!).

I do think this is Thai Airways’ nicest business class lounge. However, it’s not particularly memorable, and doesn’t rank among the best business class lounges in the world. For that matter, it’s actually not that differentiated from the carrier’s other lounges, other than being a bit more modern.

It’s also kind of sad how Thai Airways closed its airport spa (which has now been transformed into a new first class lounge), so the airline no longer offers spa treatments for passengers, even though they are available at some contract lounges in the terminal, like the Coral Finest Business Class Lounge.

Thai Airways Business Lounge Bangkok location

The Thai Airways Royal Orchid Prestige Lounge Bangkok is located in International Concourse D, on level three, right near gate D4. The lounge takes up the space immediately next to the existing Thai Airways Royal Silk Lounge (which I’ve reviewed before), and the two spaces are actually connected from within, so when you get into lounge, you can access both lounges.

This lounge couldn’t be more central… it’s literally in the very middle of the terminal. Bangkok Airport has a layout whereby this part of the terminal basically consists of two connected “crosses,” and this lounge is exactly where those areas connect.

Note that if you’re originating in Bangkok, you can also enter the lounge via an escalator near fast track security, and there’s clear signage there. Again, it’s a shared lounge entrance, so if you turn left from there you’ll be in the older lounge facility, while if you turn right from there you’ll be in the newer lounge facility.

Thai Airways Business Lounge Bangkok hours & crowding

The Thai Airways Royal Orchid Prestige Lounge Bangkok is open daily from 5AM until 2AM, so it just closes for three hours every night. It’s interesting how most contract lounges at the airport are open 24/7, while this lounge closes briefly. I guess that’s fair enough, given that there aren’t many Star Alliance flights departing in the very early hours of the morning.

Let me also mention that as you’d expect from virtually any major banked hub, crowding levels in the lounge vary massively throughout the day. The lounge is most crowded very late at night and early in the morning, while it’s generally quietest around midday and early afternoon.

Thai Airways Business Lounge Bangkok entry requirements

The Thai Airways Royal Orchid Prestige Lounge Bangkok follows standard Star Alliance lounge access rules. That’s to say that all Star Alliance business class passengers (on Thai Airways and other airlines) get access to the lounge, as do Star Alliance Gold members departing on any Star Alliance flight.

Business class passengers can’t bring any guests, while Star Alliance Gold members can bring one guest.

Thai Airways Business Lounge Bangkok seating & layout

The Thai Airways Royal Orchid Prestige Lounge Bangkok is 2,089 square meters (~22,500 square feet), with seating for 463 passengers. So the lounge is reasonably big, but not huge, when you consider this is the carrier’s hub. However, since this is connected to another lounge, the entire facility is pretty huge.

The lounge is a long space that’s pretty narrow, and it runs along one main corridor. As a result, it can feel really crowded, given the amount of foot traffic all moving through one area. The main part of the lounge is inside the entrance and to the right, while to the left is a smaller area that includes an additional bar.

The lounge is broken up into several smaller areas through the use of partitions. Some of the partitions are “walls” with fake plants, while others have a faux glossy wood finish.

When you enter the lounge from inside the terminal and turn right, you’ll first find several seating areas that have purple and blush(ish) chairs arranged in rows, facing one another. There are a decent amount of charging options in these areas of the lounge, though I found that some of the outlets didn’t work.

Mixed into this seating were several communal workstations, at least offering tables off of which you can easily set up your laptop and work.

When you get deeper into the lounge, there’s some variation in the seating, as there are options more catered to eating and drinking, including cafe-style tables with a couple of seats, high-top communal tables, and more.

Then in the very back of the lounge you’ll find a bar, featuring cocktails and barista coffee.

The business class lounge also has a second hidden bar. It’s inside the entrance to the lounge and to the left. Most people never even go this way, so this could be a good place to hang out.

All-in-all, I’d say it’s a pretty nice lounge space, though let me share a few more observations.

First, the lounge lacks views, as it primarily faces the interior of the terminal, which isn’t the most exciting view. Furthermore, the lounge seating isn’t very varied. There’s no dedicated rest area, no entertainment room, no kids room, etc. It’s just bland lounge seating, plus a dining area. Lastly, while the lounge has Wi-Fi, I didn’t find the speeds to be great, especially as the lounge got busier.

Thai Airways Business Lounge Bangkok food & drinks

The Thai Airways Royal Orchid Prestige Lounge Bangkok has a respectable food and drink selection, with both Asian and Western options. This blows away most other lounges at the airport, in terms of both quantity and quality. There were a couple of different food stations, to avoid too much crowding in any area.

During breakfast, cold options included everything from a salad bar, to fresh fruit, to cold cuts, to sweets, to pastries, to quiche, to finger sandwiches, to ice cream.

There was also a huge selection of warm options, including eggs, baked beans, breakfast potatoes, several Thai dishes, and more.

In addition to the buffet, there was a cooked to order breakfast selection, where you could request scrambled eggs, miso soup, omelets, or porridge with shrimp or minced chicken.

Self-serve drink options included a variety of soft drinks, juice, water, coffee, tea, and beer.

In addition to that, wine, cocktails, and barista coffee were available from one of the two bars in the lounge. The alcohol selection seemed reasonably high end, and I appreciated the fact that there was a recommended cocktail list.

Thai Airways Business Lounge Bangkok bathrooms & showers

The Thai Airways Royal Orchid Prestige Lounge Bangkok has a couple of sets of bathrooms, which feel surprisingly luxurious. The men’s room had several sinks, urinals, and stalls.

The lounge also has a couple of shower suites, which are nicely appointed.

Bottom line

The Thai Airways Royal Orchid Prestige Lounge is a solid lounge, and is an improvement over the carrier’s other hub business class lounges. I was most impressed by the food and drink selection, which was definitely above average.

While the lounge has reasonably nice decor, the lounge lacks views, and also doesn’t have much variety in terms of seating and amenities. It can also get really crowded during peak periods, which could be a major reason to check out the other Star Alliance lounges in the terminal.

What do you make of the Thai Airways Royal Orchid Prestige Lounge Bangkok?