BKK/CDG on TG930 in Royal First class

Flew on a mixed business/first fare from Melbourne to Paris with Thai Airways.  Business class through to BKK, and First from the TG hub to Paris.

TG doesn't offer First b/w MEL and BKK, so the interesting part of the trip didn't start until arrival in Bangkok.  The plane pulled up to a remote stand and while other passengers were directed to a bus to take them to the terminal, there was a helpful ground attendant waiting at the bottom of the stairs to usher to me a waiting minivan.  Jumped in and off we went and I was entering the terminal building about 2 minutes after they popped the doors to the plane.  The ground attendant ushered me through the security check and to the magnificent Royal First lounge where I booked in for the full body massage in one of the jacuzzi suites.

The massage was pretty good, in fact very good... well, what I can remember of it.  Very, very, very relaxing... drifted in and out of sleep towards the end.  Decided to soak in the jacuzzi for ~15 mins before returning to the First lounge for a snack and drink.  I cleared some emails and then it was time to board.  The small group of first class pax were escorted to the waiting machine, a 777-300ER leased from Jet Airways, and the delightful first class suites.  Big, comfortable, private and mine for the next 12 hours through to CDG.  This is the way to fly.

The suite is operated via a electronic touch panel with different tabs for seat pre-set positions (sleeping, t/off & landing, dining etc), seat adjustment (tweak pretty much everything and everything until you're comfy), lighting and massage.  Unlike most airline seats, the massage function was actually pretty good with four different zones (shoulders, lower back, backside and legs) and the ability to change intensity and speed.  Not as good as the Royal Orchid spa, but very nice nonetheless.

 Dining on board a TG flight is generally very good, and this flight was no exception.  =

• Assorted breads
• White sturgeon caviar
• Crab meat with avocado and mango cocktail sauce
• Basil and chilli sorbet
• Lobster themidor with duchess potatoes, carrot and green peas in a tomato cup
• Assorted cheeses and fresh fruits
• Meringue with mango and lychee pearls with raspberry sauce

Prior to take off they served Veuve Cliquot Rose 2004 and once in the air opened up Dom Perignon 2002.  Had a small glass of vodka with the caviar and another small glass of port with the cheese.  All very pleasant... and then it was time for sleep.

I went to the bathroom to brush my teeth and, on return, the FA's had turned my seat into a bed.  Fully reclined and with a gold sheet I was ready for a good 8 hours of rest... and rest I did.

No plans to wake or not wake for breakfast, I was just going to see what happened.  As it turned out, no choice.  I woke when the cabin crew switched on the lights to start the breakfast service.  This was the one blemish on the entire First experience.  Sure I could have worn eye shades, but surely the mood lighting on the 777-300ER could have been used to wake up the cabin a little more gently?  But no matter.

Breakfast was not quite the feast last night's dinner, but good nonetheless:

• Fresh fruits, cereals and yoghurt
• Scrambled egg with smoked salmon, three mushrooms with fresh herbs, grilled back bacon, breakfast cheese sausage, oven roasted tomato with olive oil and herbs
• Assorted breads and pastries and coffee

Towards the end of the flight the Royal First crew visited each passenger for a brief chat and to thank them for the flight.  All in all, a polished performance.