Star Alliance passengers seeking an alternative to the ageing Thai Airways lounges in Bangkok Airport have a new option to explore on their next journey through Thailand, with Turkish Airlines opening an all-new lounge at Suvarnabhumi Airport for international travellers.

Located in Concourse D near Gate D8, the lounge runs 24 hours a day and is accessible to all international departing passengers from Bangkok Airport – including Thai Airways guests bound for Australia, even when departing from a different concourse – as all concourses here are linked ‘airside’.

Under Star Alliance rules, any passenger holding an onward business class or first class boarding pass from a Star Alliance airline, or a Star Alliance Gold frequent flyer card when travelling with a Star Alliance airline, can be admitted: even though their airline may ‘suggest’ they head elsewhere.

For example, a Thai Airways business class boarding pass provides entry into Thai Airways’ numerous Bangkok lounges, but has long provided access to the Singapore Airlines and EVA Air lounges in Bangkok as well in line with that policy, joined this month by the Turkish Airlines lounge.

(Savvy travellers flying business class or first class with Thai Airways would know to stop by the airline’s Royal Orchid Spa for a complimentary treatment first, before heading to the lounge of their choosing.)

On the Turkish door list are United Club and Air Canada Maple Leaf Club (Worldwide) members as well when travelling with any Star Alliance airline, along with Priority Pass, LoungeKey and Lounge Club members flying with any airline: naturally, this includes Qantas and Emirates passengers flying to Australia.

As Turkish Airlines currently has just two flights per day from Bangkok – both of which depart late in the evening – we’d expect this lounge would be much quieter throughout the rest of the day, when most Australian travellers would be passing through the airport.

The lounge itself adopts a modern design with areas for working, dining and relaxing…

… and its location affords plenty of natural light throughout the day:

There’s also a small TV zone, which can double as a VIP room:

There's also a 'quiet room' where you can escape the busy-ness of Bangkok airport while waiting for your flight.

Bangkok Airport is served by 14 Star Alliance airlines – Air China, Air India, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, Lufthansa, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, SWISS, Thai Airways and Turkish Airlines – which collectively offer over 1,000 weekly departures from Bangkok.

Turkish Airlines’ latest lounge at Bangkok is one of only several lounges the airline operates outside of its home country: the others being in Moscow, Washington D.C. and Nairobi.

Also read: Turkish Airlines introduces new business class bedding