Chapter 1. THE ARRIVAL

Check-in Counter

We headed to the airport after work, and arrived approximately 3hours before our flight was due. The counters were surprisingly deserted, maybe we were too early.

Red Passport

We used Thai Airways to fly from Sydney to Bangkok. Tickets cost us $540 one way for economy fare.

We had to prove to the ground crew that we had booked our flights out of Thailand before they issued our tickets. I'm unsure if the scenario is the same for all nationalities or just Malaysian Passports.

I've heard rumours we have an uncanny tendency to "jump plane".

Sydney Airport Departure Lounge

After going through the usual immigration checks, we spent some time browsing through the magazines and books in the departure lounge, and even had time to watch an episode of TVB series.

Thai Aircraft

When the plane finally arrived, we were excited and high in anticipation, yet slightly depressed .... at the prospect of facing a 12 hours flight to Bangkok.

Normally it takes just 9 hours direct to Bangkok from Sydney. However our plane has to make a scheduled stop in Brisbane, making it a gruesome trip totaling 12 hours.

This is the longest flight to date in our flying achievements. But if that's what it takes to reach Bangkok, hell that's what we'll do.

Colourful Seats

Being a 1st timer with Thai Airways, the 1st item that struck a chord was the colourful seat patterns. I believe its the Thai national colours which they used to decorate the seats, creating a colourful sea of blue, yellow and purple.

The seating arrangements in the economic section was unlike other airline carriers. The normal seat arrangements in jumbo jets are usually (3 - 4 - 3) or (3 - 5 - 3).

But the generous Thais sacrificed profit (less seats) for higher customer comforts (wider space) with a (3 - 3 - 3) seating arrangements. We had ample leg space and the seats appeared to be slightly wider than conventional aircrafts.


**This observation is solely done based on an unbiased customer who is about to face a 12hrs flight. It is the discretion of the viewer to accept or nullify this observation as long flights are known to create hallucinations.

Lamb with Potatoes Curry Mussaman, Steamed
Thai Hom Mali Rice, Carrot and Green Bean

Roast Chicken Thigh, Baby Potatoes, Green Bean, Carrot and Tomato

Stir-fried Prawn with Black Bean Sauce, Rice Noodles and Choy Sum

Scrambled Eggs with Cheese, Bacon, Potatoes and Mushroom

We were served dinner and breakfast during the flight. The Lamb, Chicken Thigh and Scrambled Eggs were just normal aircraft food. But the Prawns had a distinctive Thai taste, especially the spicy, herb infused gravy.

Sunrise

Dead corpse

Finally after half a day, we were almost at our destination. We were physically tired but mentally, we were raving to go ....

We were a tad worried about the temperature difference. Hailing from a winterish temperature of 12-14 degrees with low humidity and entering a high humidity 30ish degrees environment.

Would our bodies be able to withstand the drastic temperature difference or would our bodies suffer throw fits and mouth-foaming convulsions?

Suvarnabhumi Airport

Touchdown. Fast fast .... go clear immigration ....


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