Since August 1, 2017, Thai Airways no longer flies the Boeing 777 300ER to Brussels, but the Airbus A350 900. The editorial team recently reported this in an article and asked for a brief report. We read in this message that the aircraft 'offers more comfort to the passengers.'
A few hours ago, I landed at Suvarnabhumi on flight TG935, and I will give you a brief update. Now, I am not exactly a huge aviation enthusiast who can tell all makes and types apart, and perhaps I have missed a few details, so comments and additions remain welcome. With your permission, I will turn this into a short travel report, with the new A350 as the icing on the cake.
To Zaventem
Tuesday morning I left early, with the bus to the station. The bus was on time, but on the way a mirror broke against a Vlikobak, so I still had to hurry to catch the train. Extra annoying when the QR code of my ticket printed with black ink on snow-white paper was not read, so I had to rely on help to get through the gate.
The Wi-Fi on this Intercity wasn't working, as usual. So, transferring to the IC Direct, basically the NS/B train. It must have been someone with a keen sense of history who placed the logos together like that. The IC Direct is the only Intercity for which you have to pay a surcharge, but which has absolutely no Wi-Fi, and no 220V socket in first class either. It costs a few cents, but you get nothing in return. This train stopped neatly with the carriages at the correct letters on the platform, except that the door of the carriage I was supposed to board was defective.
I decided against exchanging a few euros for bahts at Zaventem. Travelex gives 33 baht for a euro, and to get a euro back you have to hand over 47 baht. As if that wasn't enough to save money, there is a 1,25% commission on top of that, with a minimum of €3,25.
I was way too early. Fortunately I was already hungry for a beer and at the infamous bar at B15 I was the fifteenth in line and it took an average of 4 minutes to complete one order. Look, it's going well.
In the spacious smoking room, that is, I had a distant view of the A350, which was leaving B15 instead of B5.
It only has two engines, which is better for the environment. However, airplane engines regularly fail, and then, in the case of a twin-engine aircraft, you are left with only one.
I did the math, and I believe the chance of an engine spontaneously failing is 1 in 35.000 flights. The chance of the other one failing as well is, in principle, just as high: 35.000 x 35.000 = 1.225.000.000, so 1 in 1.225 billion. With about 25 million flights a year, roughly once every 50 years a plane crashes because both engines just fail. That keeps me going, at least.
THAI Airways International
I had checked in online as number 3 in the sequence, and then I had the back seat, exactly in the middle. Not great. Changed to 44C, in which row the remaining seats were still free. An hour and a half before boarding time, some rogue managed to sit in 44A after all, so I had to move again, this time to 54D, with E and F still free.
They remained available, even when I checked again and changes were no longer possible. That is indeed the advantage of the new roaming rules: you no longer have to worry about data usage in the EU.
Boarding took a long time, almost until the scheduled departure time. So that wasn't met either; I believe we had an hour's delay.
But I had my row of three and of course went to 54E and that was fine.
Everything is brand new and fresh, although that is not a plus for the aircraft as such, because all aircraft once started flawlessly.
According to SeatGuru, the economy seats are exactly the same size as those in the 777-300ER. I had forgotten my tape measure, but I can agree with that. Not better, not worse, but with a row of three to yourself, it is certainly bearable.
Just like in the Thai 380, there is a camera in the tail so you can watch yourself take off, fly, and land. Definitely fun. The screens are a bit more responsive; you don't have to press as hard on them. The menus are also available to view, which is handy so you can make an informed choice. However, that is of little use if the menu has changed. Read: What I wanted wasn't there. No need to panic, even the chicken (normally definitely not my favorite) was very tasty.
After dinner, I just lay down as stretched out as possible and woke up again at breakfast. I wouldn't say it was more or less noisy than the 777. My meter showed 89 decibels, but I think it needs to be calibrated. That is roughly the noise level of a 1972 Lada at 140 km/h.
The flight was “smooth as silk”, as I have come to expect with Thai Airways, and in my opinion, that is mainly due to the way you are treated and how you feel. The A350 makes no substantial new contribution to that. Under the surface, in terms of technology, materials, and software, a lot is happening, but the experience of the average consumer has grosso modo hardly changed over the past 40 years, and I do not expect much more to change in the next 40 years either. It is what it is, and it is good. It remains a miracle that we fly to the other side of the world so trouble-free, at attractive rates (€629, booked on Sunday) and with a minimum of risks and inconvenience.
By taxi to Pattaya
On the toll road just before Pattaya, I was once again confronted with the other reality that is inevitable here: a massive crash involving multiple cars, where you can only hope they didn't notice much.
For your information: the taxi did not turn on the meter at Suvarnabhumi; the barrier simply opened.
'Godmother!', I said.
'No sir, to Pattaya no meter!
'Always meter, to everywhere, also to the moon meter. I only pay price on meter! '
He wanted to turn it on, but I said I was willing to make a deal for 1600 baht. Everyone happy again.
Dynasty Inn Hotel
Just a quick follow-up on the responses to my recent request for an alternative to the Dynasty Inn Hotel: Thanks for the replies. Natureview seemed like a good option, but the lockers are really the bottleneck there. You just don't understand why, because the electronic lockers really don't cost more than a few tens of baht. Lek Hotel is opposite Dynasty, is just slightly less impressive, and not really cheaper. I'll keep Eastiny Place in mind; Soi 6 is just a bit too much for me. Sawasdee Siam is also a bit worn in my opinion, and there were also some recommendations that didn't quite fit my budget (I read 1600 baht and 45 euros). Probably beautiful places, and good value for money. If you go for three weeks once a year, that doesn't matter so much, but it's not what I'm looking for.
So the day before yesterday I sent an email to Dynasty Inn, asking if they could make a good price. Early check-in August 23rd at 9 AM, late check-out September 21st at 8 PM.
29 nights I think, normal price 1280 per night. Until now I got that for 1100 per night, but then 30 nights because of late checkout.
I suggested 30.000 baht this time. And what do you think? Absolutely no response yesterday! So I sent another email asking why they weren't replying. Still haven't heard anything at all this morning! Sent the taxi to the Wonderful 2 Bar after all. Arrived there, still nothing… The hotel was still there, though…
At 9:20 a.m., a van from a small laundry company pulled up and stopped in front of the hotel. One of the boys came outside, saw me sitting there, had the laundry man take his gear inside himself, and came to welcome me. He wanted to take my luggage right away, but I said that I hadn't heard anything at all.
Oh, well, that should work out fine.
At the reception I asked the girl why she had not responded.
Well, they had seen it, and they thought I would come anyway, so if I hadn't been there by ten o'clock, they would have sent a message, you know.
Everything was fine, only because of the late check-out time she really had to make it 30 nights. Well for 30.000 baht, that is.
More photo's: goo.gl/photos/eN7E6TUkExaRkoJ3A
About this blogger
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Frans Amsterdam passed away in April 2018. Frans, whose real name was Frans Goedhart, was only 54 years old.
Frans wrote a total of 77 articles for Thailandblog. The first was on December 6, 2014, and the last on February 23, 2018. He clearly had a distinctive writing style that some found objectionable. He was an outspoken "butterfly" who made no secret of his enjoyment of the company of various barmaids. Some commenters therefore called him a "whoremonger," but he didn't mind. He handled the criticism some people leveled at his articles well. Incidentally, Frans was always honest and open about his intentions, even with the barmaids themselves. He wasn't interested in falling in love or having a relationship.
Frans loved food, drink, smoking, and women. He hated exercise, and that was reflected in his stature. Although I haven't heard anything about the cause of death, it's possible there was a connection between his lifestyle and his untimely death.
He usually went to Pattaya a few times a year and had been going to the same hotel and bar for years: Dynasty Inn Hotel and Wonderfull 2 bar. There, he'd settle into his usual spot, with a pack of cigarettes and his laptop within reach. He was recognizable to everyone by the sweatband around his head. At Wonderfull 2 bar, Frans was a welcome guest. The barmaids looked after Frans, who went by the nickname Tuk-Tuk. They brought him his food and drink, and if he'd had one too many, they'd take him back to his hotel. Frans, in turn, was kind to the barmaids. He gave them food and drink when they were broke, lent them money, and sometimes even gave away a few baht to help a damsel in distress.
Nice report of the outward journey, do you also do the stay and the return journey.
Have fun anyway
While you are in Pattaya, a visit to the Nature View Hotel on Soi Buokhao is well worth it, a nice hotel at decent prices and about 300 meters from the Lek Hotel.
I think he indirectly indicates in his piece that Nature View is not an option because of the lockers. Have stayed there myself a number of times, but in high season. Basically a good hotel, although I think the 'posh' one. price is reasonable compared to similar hotels in the area. The disadvantage is also in high season you are almost forced to secure your bed by the pool at 8 o'clock, because everything is occupied around 9 o'clock. At least there is no one because most of them actually come around noon. Have already said something about this a few times, but then there is that proverbial smile. We therefore suspect that the staff earns an extra pocket money by securing a bed for those who are prepared to do so.
Rather negative account of the new aircraft. I think it is the nature of the writer and not the device. For the raxi from Suvarna to Pattaya you never have to pay more than 1000 baht, including toll. Usually I manage for 800 or 900 baht. Have a nice holiday anyway.
I think at least 1500 is quite normal.
But let those people earn something too.
The meter price is about 1250 Baht, without traffic jams. There is an additional 50 Baht airport charge and toll. Say 1360 Baht together. That's not fat. With good decency it is then 1500 including tip. It gives me no joy to negotiate below these official rates. This way you force the drivers to work too long days, or to stop taking maintenance or other important matters seriously. Moreover, you frustrate the system, which is good in itself.
I don't think I'm very negative about the A350, but innovations are often introduced with a lot of tame, while not much has actually changed. And not every change is always an improvement.
I think the most negative points of my account concern rail transport in the Netherlands, and you can rightly say that my attitude towards the NS has certainly not improved over the past 30 years.
I can only be negative about the NS. Very bad even in first class. No sockets, closed toilets, dirty trains, bad service.
Then go and travel first class in Austria or Germany
I can't really read a negative story into it. What I read in it is, in short: a good plane, but not spectacularly better than what we were already used to (and that was fine too). I read the report of a satisfied traveler.
Such a pity that Thai airways no longer departs from Amsterdam. Experienced many flights in the past and Royal Orchid holidays we have experienced wonderful trips there, also to China.
Fortunately, we used our frequent flyer points just in time for a flight. But Thai says the landing fees are too expensive at Schiphol.
Well,
Typical Thais, the government creates a barrier at Suvarnabhumi, with a camera specially set to see if the red is 'clear' and if it fires, the barrier will not open.
But………..
A Thai is a Thai and they will come up with something about it. Just put a towel in front of the “red” sign Ha, ha, ha.
But Frans, 89 decibels is correct, because the Boeing 777 from EvaAir also had 88 decibels.
Also a wonderful story.
Greetings Gerrit.
Hi, Frans, I would like to know how was the seat in the new 350 with enough legroom, We are going in January with the 380 from Schiphol.
For me, 183 cm, more than enough legroom. I'm more likely to get into trouble in width. 🙂
I usually fly with an Emirates 380 and am 1.98m tall.
In economy I have just enough legroom, is not stuck.
Good story.
Nice experiences.
looks like you were still fluked for THB 600 with your taxi…. taxi to Pattaya is perfect to book on the internet for THB 1000 , highway toll included . good ticket price!
See my comment about this at Emiel.
nice that you can put your plate with food on the table in front of you, and the rest on the table next to it, just flew with the 380 from Emirates, sat in row 56 at the window and there is no row for just the shelter, tables then come out of the armrest and are even too small to put on your platform that you get, they do make the planes bigger, but comfort less.
Enjoyed your trip report Frans again. Always a lot of humor and your writings are a pleasure to read. Together with De Inquisitor the best writers on this blog.
So lucky, back to your beloved Pattaya! You have incorporated the necessary humor in your report of the outward journey, I could laugh about it. Of course you will exchange euros for bath at Zaventhem, and of course not at the GWK in the Netherlands, I assume that you have baths with you from a previous holiday anyway. That you ask at Suvarnabhumi to turn on the taximeter for the ride to Pattaya surprises me again. As a seasoned Thailander, you always agree on a price for this ride in advance, don't you? In fact you did now (and 1600 Bath is a great deal) but you didn't make the deal until you were already in the taxi. It's nice that you could have 350 seats in the A3, saves quite a sip on a drink on the long flight. Yes, the logic of the Dynasty Inn receptionist not to answer your mail, expecting you to come anyway, is again typical Thai. I would have called, certainly on the way in the taxi, but maybe you didn't have a Thai SIM card yet? Wish you a lot of fun, no doubt you will surprise us again with the necessary stories. And I'm curious if you plan to visit Patrick's Belgian Restaurant again.
Last time, the last Bahtjes really flew through on the last evening at a few farewell laps. Now on Suvarnabhumi I changed 100 euros at the first office I came across, 3694 Baht I believe. Doesn't matter much for such a relatively small amount.
I deliberately didn't say anything to that driver, first to see what he would do, and second to see if he could get through the barrier without a meter. And then see if he still wanted to turn it on, of course.
I no longer buy a Thai SIM card, communication takes place exclusively via Facebook Messenger.
I will of course keep any plans to eat at Patrick's under wraps.
But don't you also need a SIM card for Facebook Messenger?
Wi-Fi is enough.
Nice story French. Does the price include breakfast?
No, but you shouldn't take that either. You can use the well-known buffet until 12.00:13 in the Lek hotel across Soi 150, if desired, 1200 Baht, 10 Baht for a booklet with XNUMX coupons.
Unbeatable in terms of price and nothing wrong with it.
On a slightly higher level, halfway down the Soi is The Sportsman Pub, but then you also pay more. Breakfast is available all day. Excellent.
And for the connoisseur just down the road in another Soi of Second Road, Casa Pascal's breakfast buffet, for the surprising price of 240 Baht (+10% +7%), is available until 14.00 pm. To my shame I've only had dinner there so far, but breakfast is on my list.
And then I will mention three things… Within a radius of 200 meters there are more than I can visit in a month…
.
https://restaurant-in-pattaya.com/menus/breakfastlunch-buffet/
Nice report again.
Next January we will also fly with this aircraft. Hope my knees don't touch the seat in front of me.
With the previous model I took the magazines out of the compartment to gain a few cm, but my knees are still rubbing against the seat in front of me. I have a seat number D and F and so far E remains unoccupied, hopefully it will stay that way .This year we took the AirPort bus for the first time and were there before 9 am (PamPam) for 30b pp. and had been at immigration for a long time. How was this with you Frans? Would rather sit on this bus than in a taxi. Have also returned by taxi this year from Grand China hotel, in the middle of China Town Bangkok at the agreed price of 108 baht. Don't know why driver had left the meter on, but how much was on it on arrival close to Walking Street: 1400 baht. The airport is still closer, so this is a target price for the readers.
I'd rather be in a taxi. Then I don't have to wait for Suvarnabhumi, can keep my luggage with me, get dropped off at the door, can take a smoke break along the way, and it gives a wonderful feeling of luxury to be able to take a taxi carelessly for a journey of 125 kilometers . The legroom in the taxi was overwhelming, by the way.
A nice travelogue in a style that I can really appreciate.
Exchanging money at an airport is always very unfavorable, especially in Europe.
You are correct in stating that the A350 is actually the same as the other aircraft. The A350, A380 and the Dreamliner are currently being applauded. I have already flown with all of them. Great planes but actually the same as their predecessors in terms of seats and space. No more and no less. The big advantage for the airlines is that the A350 and the Dreamliner are considerably more fuel efficient.
With so much adversity for flying itself, it is already a miracle that you arrived in Thailand…
next time try to book a taxi through the hotel. I always pay 1200 baht. Saves you another 400, and also know where to find the hotel in Pattaya, otherwise that is sometimes lacking.
Nice report. Little about the A350 but understood through other channels that there is not much difference with the 777 or it should be a little more legroom. is almost negligible. The flying part does not get any shorter.
If you really want a budget, the bus from suvarnabhumi is a good alternative and saves you more than a night of hotel. In terms of comfort and travel time, it is also not too bad.
I personally prefer Jomtien or Naklua to Patts but think the price for 30 nights is ok for low season and location. Breakfast included?
Enjoy it.
Frans received no response to his hotel reservation, so booking a taxi would not have been an option anyway. Also, I don't think he's in favor of it. As a seasoned Thailander, Frans could of course have had a fixed taxi address for a long time, but I suspect that his motto is: 'freedom, happiness'. Arriving at Suvarnabhumi take the first available taxi and on to Pattaya! And right he is! As if a possible saving of roughly 10 euros makes a difference on a month's holiday. By the way, I'm surprised about all those taxi tips to him. Anyone who follows Thailand Blog regularly should know that Frans is very well informed about the ins and outs of Thailand. Many comments talk about the taxi price. Where I called the non-confirmation of the hotel reservation typically Thai, these reactions are typically Dutch. Emiel writes, and I even detect a certain pride, that he regularly manages to take a taxi to Pattaya for a fare of 8 to 900 Bath, even including toll. Apart from the fact that you shouldn't want that at all, I don't believe a word of it. On the reverse route, from Pattaya to the airport, these prices were sometimes offered, but the toll was added. I have regularly experienced that upon arrival in Pattaya, my taxi first filled up with gas or something on Sukhumvit and that the driver was then approached by a Thai on a motorbike if he was interested in a ride back. In any case, that taxi has to go back and some drivers, but not all, then accepted the offer. Hence the absurdly low price. Just want to note that few hotels in Pattaya have their own taxi. Of course hotels do mediate, they also get commission for it, but usually it's not taxis but private cars, in fact illegal. Have often ordered one myself through the reception of the apartment where I stayed in Jomtien and had the same driver a few times. Asked me to pay before arriving at Suvarnabhumi, because when the police saw that I paid, he would either receive a ticket or have to pay a ransom. But enough of all that, hope that Frans's first day, and of course night, went satisfactorily. The first day of your holiday, especially as a bachelor, is often the most beautiful. Still in a euphoric mood, meeting old acquaintances, discovering new faces and the first drink, in the evening in your familiar bar, is the best! Fortunately, you still have 29 days ahead of you!
By the way, what I forgot: if I used the airport transfer arranged by the reception of my apartment in the late evening hours and the driver, who really didn't deserve the salt in the porridge, gave a tip from one times 200 and the other times 300 Bath to settle a round sum of 1500, then his visible gratitude was always very pleasant to behold. Don't take my word for it, I certainly don't beat my chest and I can't look into someone else's wallet, but I wish everyone didn't want to get the most out of it all the time. Frans wrote that he had no baths left from his previous vacation because of the farewell rounds. Happens to me too, but I have the deviation that I always quickly pin 5 or 10 thousand Bath before leaving on Suvarnabhumi to have a bottom for the next trip. And of course a good reason, if necessary, to go back!
Well Leo Th. So you are surprised about the many tips that Frans receives because the people at TB should know that he is well informed about the ins and outs, but not everyone is a frequent visitor to TB and the tips that Frans receives are also for the other visitors might be interested. Apart from that, I'm getting a bit tired about the discussion about taxi prices and the tip that (must) be given. Last year I used Mr T. several times for the first time, who has his office in Soi Diana. mr. T. charges 1000 Bht incl. toll fee and, as previously reported here, employs neat English-speaking and good driver(s), if others prefer to pay 1600, that is their right, but I don't feel that if I give a good tip gives over 100-0 baht that I'll kick him out, otherwise he would have adjusted his prices.
Rarely come to Pattaya but when I am there and want to go back to Bangkok I always use the services of Mr. T. Convenience serves people.
Why want to get the most out of it for 1000 baht and what are you doing wrong with that? Oh and don't worry about not tipping generously.
mr. T. is of course no longer a taxi driver, but a transport company. For Thai standards he has done it big, with advertising, presumably staff, and if I hear the stories a solid product. A true entrepreneur, for which all praise.
This approach leads to a much better occupation of the taxis than that of an ordinary taxi driver, he can connect outward and return journeys more easily, the drivers do not have to wait their turn. As a result, he can also deliver cheaper.
Nothing wrong with that in itself, but I think that's the point, and the ordinary taxi driver can therefore not compete with him in terms of price
Sir Charles, did I say that when you agree on a taxi from Pattaya to the airport for 1000 Bath you want to get the most out of it? In this case, it related to Emiel's reaction, in which he writes that he usually manages to get from the airport to Pattaya by taxi for 800 Bath including toll. And I don't worry much at all and certainly not whether or not you or anyone else gives a tip. Have only written that those drivers, including those employed by Mr. T, but earn very little and clearly show their delight at receiving a tip. Finally, I would like to tell Sonnyfloyd that I find it funny that he first writes that he is getting a bit tired of the discussion and immediately afterwards tells his experience with taxi prices. Hopefully the readers of Thailand Blog are now all up to date again and all thanks to Frans, who is now undoubtedly doing other more pleasant business.
My apologies, then I have somewhat misinterpreted your account, it must have to do with the fact that I have little or nothing to do with Pattaya and therefore rarely go there.
There is a bus service for 120 BTH from Suvhanabumi to Pattaya. Taxi is more expensive but many different prices.
I took that bus in June but from Jomtien to Suvhanahpumi airport. Had to pay 20 baht extra for my suitcase because it was a bit too heavy for sure. The ride took 1h45min. Ideal.
Great report, always get a little homesick with these kinds of stories. To come back to those aircraft engines, a somewhat handy pilot can get a plane to the ground even without working engines. https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Transat-vlucht_236
Apparently there are still some errors in the A350.
http://www.hln.be/hln/nl/960/Buitenland/article/detail/3240710/2017/08/24/Waarschuwing-Airbus-A350-kan-ontploffen.dhtml