Back on the road once again. This time to a completely new destination: The Maldives. I figured I might as well see it before it’s gone, and the diving is supposed to be pretty good.
I’m flying to Male via Singapore. Not the most direct route, I know, but Bangkok – Male seems to be a poorly served route. Thai Airways does not fly there at all, and Bangkok Airways only flies there a few days a week. With hotels in the Maldives being rather expensive, I didn’t want to spend any more time in them than I had to before my boat departed, so I opted for Singapore Airlines. The more direct one-stop option is through Columbo, which didn’t seem like a good idea when I booked the tickets.
Singapore Airlines lounge at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport.
I’m writing this update in transit from the SATS Premier Lounge in Singapore, which is it’s usual little slice of heaven. But, before leaving Bangkok, I got a chance to check out Singapore Airlines’ lounge there, and I must say, it’s quite a treat. It is a bit of a hike to the lounge, which is out on Concourse A, but it has a much better view than Thai’s lounge on Concourse D. The lounge is quite comfortable, with plenty of power points for laptops, which even have plugs that take the three-pronged UK style plugs that are also standard in Singapore. Of course, there’s free wi-fi, which is why you need the plugs! there are also several computers available for use if you didn’t bring yours. Although the lounge is small, there’s a nice selection of food, which includes some hot dishes. The only thing that keeps me from suggesting that this lounge might be better than Thai’s is that there’s no restroom.
More from Male, maybe…
I had to traverse Ngurah Rai airport several times last week, and noticed a few small changes – although I didn’t see any sign of the radical makeover approved earlier this week.
Having arrived early for a domestic flight to Surabaya, I noticed that the domestic departure lounge had free wi-fi. Unfortunately, the brain trust that set it up did it in such a way that only one person can use it at a time. This includes the half-dozen or so free computers available. Hopefully someone will figure this out sooner or later.
The really pleasant surprise was that Thai Airways has changed lounges for their business and gold card passengers. I must have not been the only one to be deeply disappointed by the previous lounge choice. The new lounge has a view, as well as free wireless Internet access. The only drawback was a very stinky bathroom.
Lastly, the unpleasant surprise was a missing mobile phone. I switched it off and put it in my carry-on in Surabaya, but it was nowhere to be found when I got to Bangkok. Unfortunately, the only time the bag was out of my possession during the trip was when it was going through the security scans. I had received reports that the security staff were pilfering mobiles from scanned baggage, but didn’t really believe it, until now.
More details have emerged on Air Asia’s plans to turn Phuket into one of it’s major hubs. According to Phuket Wan web site, the plan should be realized by the end of the year, and will see the low cost carrier flying from Phuket directly to Ho Chi Minh City, Bali and Medan, among others. The airline would also like to start direct flights between Chiang Mai and Phuket, which would seem to be an under-served route.
Life has been good for Air Asia. While traditional airlines have been struggling, they claimed a 20% increase in passenger loads for the first half of 2009.
