Bangkok--19 Jan--Thai Airways International’s
Thai Airways International’s first class lounge at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok, Thailand, has continued to win accolades from aviation professionals and customers alike, particularly for its unique “Thainess.”
This “Thainess” revolves around a number of elements unique to Thailand. The materials and products are sourced from Thailand; the graciousness of the staff from “The Land of Smiles,” and the comfort afforded passengers in the full spa treatment area.
The person responsible for the lounges is the Managing Director, Ground Customer Services Department, Mr. Lek Klinvibul. The lounges were opened in 2006 when THAI faced the enormous task of installing seven THAI lounges to service all Star Alliance airlines [one first class lounge and six business class lounges.
Said Mr Klinvibul: “I believe you cannot find this exact type of spa lounge anywhere else in other country’s airports. They have that essential Thai feeling that makes this country still one of the world’s top tourist destinations.” The customer survey seems to bear this out.
The first class lounges offer three rooms for full spa treatment, including Jacuzzis, in each room. Other treatments are for foot, head and shoulder massages. There are six beds for this treatment in first class and eight other beds for business class. Customers can have one, or all three, for free for 30 minutes in each of the business class and first class lounges.
The lounges also offer top class food. In the first class lounge a permanent chef prepares cuisine from different countries as well as Thai food.
In addition to the highly popular spa lounges, THAI’s lounges are also noted for the huge range of newspapers and magazines available. THAI offers newspapers and magazines in English, French, German, Italian, Chinese, Spanish, Japanese, Korean and Arabic.
There is no better way to illustrate what customers think of the lounge than to ask them directly.
In 2007 Skytrax, the aviation survey company, asked more than 580,000 people across 90 nationalities to nominate the best first class lounge in the world. It was no surprise that the Suvarnabhumi lounge, only opened in 2006, won the award.
Said Skytrax CEO, Edward Plaisted of the award: “ Thai Airways new Royal First Class Lounge at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport has the most extensive choice of options to satisfy passenger demand, and combines these facilities with exclusive staff service attention to offer what our respondents names as the world’s best.”
To emphasis this comment here are some actual comments from respondents in the survey:
“What an amazing service. We were greeted by the Thai staff as we enter the separate entrance to the first class check-in at the airport. This is one of those memorable five star experiences that I will always remember,” said Anthony Roxburgh, who gave each category in the lounge five out of five in customer rating, (30 October, 2008).
“ The best part is the Thai spa facility. It had a truly relaxing message and some health drinks that were just great,” said Patrick DuPlessis, (20 August, 2008).
And for something completely different to show that THAI’s lounge service is not just exclusive to Suvarnabhumi Airport’s first class lounge, Val Becque commented THAI’s Krabi Airport lounge, “ Considering there are only a few THAI flights a day out of Krabi this an exceptionally good lounge,” (21 January, 2008).
Even Wikipedia, the internet encyclopedia, has nice words to say about the first class lounge: “Very nice lounge with warm and comfortable atmosphere. The highlight is three spa suites with Jacuzzis and tropical rain fall that passengers can relax in a tranquil atmosphere”.
Contact: International Public Relations Department
For more detail, please contact THAI Contact Center Tel 0-2356-1111 or www.thaiairways.co.th