I was a bit surprised to even find a lounge on the domestic side of the airport in Phuket, Thailand. Thanks to Star Alliance Gold Status, we were able to gain access into this odd ball lounge. Thai Airways runs a network of domestic lounges between Bangkok, Phuket and Chang Mai. At the very least, it was a quiet place to hang out before a flight.

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This post is one chapter in our Around the World in Star Alliance First Class via China, Thailand and Spain. This trip was booked using Air Canada Aeroplan miles. For more information on how this trip was booked, please see our trip introduction here. For other parts of the trip, please see this index.

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Review: Thai Airways Royal Silk Lounge Domestic, Phuket, Thailand

After 4 days of relaxing bliss, it was time to head back to Bangkok for a 36 hour stopover adventure. We took the hotel car back from Le Meridien Khao Lak to the Phuket International Airport. I had picked the 10 AM flight out of Phuket as I wanted to attempt the short domestic flight on a Thai Airways Boeing 747-400 and indeed at 1hr5 mins, it was my shortest B747 flight ever. 

As in many parts of this corner of the world, there is an immediate x-ray of baggage as soon as you enter the check in area. Once inside, the Thai Air check was quite deserted considering the equipment being used. We were accepted at the business check in as Star Alliance Gold’s. We were assigned seats then near the front of the economy cabin as we did not have an earlier seat assignment. The seat next to us was blocked or otherwise left empty intentionally. 

Accessing the Lounge:

We presented our Aeroplan Elite status cards. With Star Alliance Gold status, we were offered access into all Star Alliance Lounges regardless of class of service. On presentation of the cards at check in, we were verbally invited to the lounge. I was surprised since we weren’t really expecting a lounge in Phuket as we were flying domestic. Thai Airways offers a Thai Royal Silk Domestic Lounge in only 3 locations: Phuket, Chang Mai and Survarnabhumi Bangkok.

At the right end of the concourse was the tiny entrance to the Domestic Royal Silk Lounge. It was a tiny affair. It was one of the first lounges that I had been in that used a seventies style full sized wall mirror in order to make the place look larger than it actually was. 

Inside the Thai Domestic Royal Silk Lounge:

The lounge was pretty straight forward and more colourful than it’s flagship mother “Royal Silk” domestic lounge in Bangkok. It offered a quiet sitting area. Despite flights leaving almost every other hour, it was almost deserted on our visit.

There were a selection of small white bread sandwiches, and canned soft drinks or fruit juices. The coffee machine didn’t look too appetizing. The lounge did have some couches which is always a plus in my books. The free wifi was easy to use and connect to, with WEP passwords obtained from the Easter Egg basket at the front desk.

Overall

I was surprised to see a Thai Airways Royal Silk Lounge on the Domestic departures zone at Phuket airport. Although there were lots of departures, the lounge itself was almost deserted just before 10 AM on our way through. I guess people departing Phuket prefer to sleep in.

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