This is my first trip to Sri Lanka since 2018. It was for business purpose. Usually, I always used Thai Airways it offered directly flight with full-service. However, since COVID pandemic until August 2023, the flag carrier of Thailand had stopped this route and had no sign to resume. For this trip, I had only 2 choices with direct flight, Thai Air Asia and Sri Lankan Airlines. But, Thai Air Asia had offered the better schedule and more attractive price. So, I had no hesitation to book with the Thai national low-cost carrier.

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Herewith the flight details for this trip.

Route : Bangkok-Don Maueng (DMK) – Colombo (CMB)
Carrier : Thai Air Asia
Flight No. : FD140
ETD : 8.20 PM (GMT+7)
ETA : 10.00 PM (GMT+5.5)
Duration : 3 hours and 10 minutes
Aircraft : Airbus A320-200

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I started this trip by arriving Bangkok – Don Maueng International Airport at 5.30 PM, about 3 hours before departure time. Thai Air Asia had check-in counters at Row 1 and 2. The check-in queue was very long as this airline was serving many routes in Asia. Fortunately, I completed the internet check-in in advance. I just proceeded to baggage drop counter.

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About 15 minutes, I finished the check-in, dropping my baggage and get boarding pass. Today, I would board at gate no.1 (Bus Gate).

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After passing through the immigration and security check-point, I still had about one and half hour for strolling at airside area and find something to eat before the flight.

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At boarding time, I arrived at the gate. It was on ground floor and a bus gate.

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The boarding was begun about 10 minutes after scheduled. The bus brough us to the aircraft what was about 5 minutes from the boarding gate.

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The boarding was so quick. 80% of passenger was Sri Lankan and this flight was almost 100% loaded. The seat configulation was arranged as 3-3 like general single aisle aircarft.

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The seat pitch was so narrow as it is low-cost airline. As informaion I found in the internet, the seat pitch was only 28 inches (71 cm). My knees were touched with the front seat (My height is 183 cm). It was not so comfortable for 3 hours flight. However, I selcted my choice.

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Once the boarding was completed, the flight was push back on-time and taken-off from Bangkok to The Pearl of Indian Ocean. When the flight was in cruising altitude and the seat belt sign had been switched-off, I started to survey the lavatory. It was well cleaned and had liquid hand soap.

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Then, the cabin crew began the food selling on-board. Thai Air Asia is low-cost carrier checked-in baggage, seat selection and meal on-board must be purchased. Anyway, I did pre-booked meal on-board in advance what was 20% saver. For this flight, I ordered Shrimp Pad Thai Noodle with Egg Wrap. It was served with a bottled water.

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After finished my meal, the cabin lights were turned-off for passengers’ resting.

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About 30 minutes before arrival time, the flight was descending to Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport and safely landed.

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After disembarking, I followed the direction to immigration and did not forget to pick-up and fill the arrival card before approaching to the immigration counter.

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The immigration here took quite long to check and inspect the visa of the passenger, most of countries can apply electronic visa (e-Visa) or get visa-on-arrival to visit Sri Lanka. I spent almost an hour to complete the immigration clearance.

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Now, it meant I arrive Sri Lanka completely. The checked-in baggage could be claimed at the belt number 5.

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Then, it was almost mid-night. I hurried up to exchange the money to get Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) to find the taxi to my hotel. I did book the hotel in Negombo, the beach side city near to the airport, just only 30 minutes (while from airport to Colombo is > 1 hour). After I reached the hotel, I immidiately shut-down from the world to take a rest as I would start next day in the morning for by business.

Overall, Thai Air Asia did offer the reasonable price and punctual on-time service. Even it is the low-cost carrier what any add-on service must be paid and the seat pitch is narrow, but it is interesting choice for the passenger who is interesting to fly from capital of Thailand to the pearl of Indian ocean. Finally, I do hope you have pleasant flight and wonderful stay in Sri Lanka. 🙂

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Written by : Shipy Siwarit Tiasuwattiseth

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