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Inter-Thailand Flights   Bangkok Airways (PG)

PG flights are bookable on points through JAL, CX, EY and AB.

JAL
Required Mileage: Transferable from SPG. JAL uses a distance based award chart and allows up to a maximum of 7 stopovers (8 segments). To figure out how many points you will need, add up the total amount of miles that will be flown (can do this on GCMap.com) and then find the appropriate row in the award chart (http://www.ar.jal.com/ar/en/jalmile/use/partner_air/p_jmb/jmb_mile_ar.html). If you are traveling before 3/31/2017 there is a promotion for trips up to 4,000 miles (see http://www.jal.co.jp/121campaign/pg_discount/index_en.html for reduced mileage rates). The promotion makes JAL the best award redemption option for PG flights. 

Booking the Flight: The only way to find out if there is availability on the flight that you want is to call JAL. Recommended that you do so before transferring points. JAL doesn't allow you to hold a reservation so you have to hope that the flight doesn't get booked up while you're waiting for the point transfer to go through. Once the points post to your JAL account, call JAL back to book.
+1 800-525-3663 (5:00 - 18:00 PT) press 1 - 4 - JAL membership number - # - pin - # - 0 (for human or 1 for computer search)

Traveling with Infant: Tell JAL that you are flying with a lap child. They will put the infant on the reservation, but they will also tell you that you need to call PG directly to get the infant's ticket issued and pay for any taxes etc. JAL will only charge you for the adults on the reservation. Unless you speak Thai, calling PG won't work (when you press 9 for English when calling any of the Asian offices, the message will tell you to go to their website, and the office in Germany can't issue tickets). To add the infant, send an email to reservation@bangkokair.com with your confirmation number and tell them you want to have the lap infant's ticket issued. They will email you back with the price (data point: it was ~$96USD for CNX-USM-HKG for me) and ask you to reply with your cc info split into two separate emails for security (one email with first 8 digits, exp. and name on card, second email with last 8 digits, cvv, and billing address). I believe they only take Visa or MC. You'll then get an email back with confirmation.

Baggage Allowance: Economy passengers are allowed 20kg, infants (and dolls) are allowed 10kg. Excess weight on domestic flights will incur a charge of 80thb ($2.25ish) per kilo. International overage fee chart can be found here. Join the PG FlyingBonus program to receive an additional 10kg.

Contacting PG: In general, if you have any questions, the only way to speak with them in English besides email is PG Live Chat. You can find the link if you log in to your Flyer Bonus account. Chat reps are very helpful.

IMPORTANT: MAKE SURE TO PAY (JAL AND PG) WITH A CC BELONGING TO SOMEONE THAT IS TRAVELING ON THE ITINERARY. PG WILL SOMETIMES ASK YOU TO SHOW THE CC USED TO PAY FOR THE TRIP WHEN YOU CHECK IN, AND RESERVE THE RIGHT TO DENY BOARDING IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT.

CX
Required Mileage:

EY
Required Mileage:

AB
Required Mileage:



Bangkok   BKK/DMK

Hotels                                              Activities                                          Chabad                                                                Additional Info
Viengtai Hotel (Ohr Menachem)
Davis Hotel (Beth Elisheva)
Shangr-La (Even Chen)
Sheraton Resort (Hua Hin)
Riva Surya
Kao Sahn Rd
Night Markets (near stadium)
Shopping Malls
Grand Palace
Kanchanaburi (2 hrs away)
Floating Markets
Beth Elisheva (Financial & Shopping district)
Even Chen
Ohr Menachem (Kao Sahn Rd)
ALWAYS use meter in taxis and
   try to say destination in Thai - if you
   need help with numbers as Cbs ;)
(Free) sim in airport at kiosks -(true move(h- sim), dtac
   (happy(micro) sim for iPhone)
Songkran (water fight week)- April 13th!
Kosherthailand.com
BKK Luggage Lockers - 100 baht/day/bag (~$3)
Public Transport
Domestic flights:
   Air Asia, Tiger Air, Thai, Bangkok Air
Tailor:
   Rajawongse




Phuket/Patong/Koh Phi Phi/Krabi   HKT/KBV

Hotels                                                            Activities                                                                            Additional Info
Westin
JW Marriott
Sala Resort
Sheraton Krabi
The Pavilions
Holiday Inn Koh Phi Phi
Ritz Carlton Reserve
places w/ private pools
Beaches
Monkey Show
Cable Skiing
Longtail Boats
Island Tour
Koh Phi Phi:
Diving
Fire Show (wed is biggest)
Maya Bay (full day trip)
Nice Lookouts
Kayaking (to Monkey Beach)
Thai Boxing
Beware of summer weather; monsoon season
Best weather: Jan - May
Island Tour (can be done as a day trip or overnight):
   Andaman River, Maya Bay, Similian Islands, Krabi Islands,
   Koh Lanta (Emerald Cave)




Koh Samui   USM

Hotels                                                            Activities                                                                          Additional Info
The Conrad
Sunday Resort
Sheraton
Le Meridian
The W
Le Murrya (Near Chabad)
Fx Hotel (Near Chabad)
Beaches
Diving (Koa Phangan, Koh Tao)
Ang Thong Marine Park Islands
Water Sports (at chaweng and boh phut),
Safari Island (elephants, tigers, zip line)
Scooter (around island)
Kayaking $30
Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan Island trip w/ snorkeling
The Conrad will gladly make arrangements with
   the Chabad restaurant for Kosher food. Email them at usmks.fb@conradhotels.com




Chiang Mai   CNX

Hotels                                                            Activities                                                                            Additional Info
Le Meridien (10 min. Walk to Chabad)
Shangri La (2 min. Walk to Chabad)
Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi
Sukantara Cascade Resort
Maese Elephant Show
Maetaeng Elephant Park
Patara Elephant Farm
Thai Elephant Home
Thoms Pai Elephant Camp
Bamboo Rafting
Tiger Kingdom
Monkey Shows
Snake Shows
Crocodile Shows
Zip Lining
Trekking
White Water Rafting
Longneck Tribe
Gun Shooting
Night Safari
Temples/Palaces
Chiang Mai River Boat (To Cooking School)
Extreme Sports!
Repelling
Caving,
ATVing
Bungee
Segways
Rent motorbikes (5$ day)
3D museum right down the road from Chabad
   (if you have an hour or two to kill)
Sunday Market (ratchadamonoen  Rd, old city)
Night Market (Changklan Rd, near Chabad & Le Meridien)
Sat Night Market (Wua Lai)
Tiger Kingdom is best in morning
Use ישראל 669  as travel agent for trips
   (next door to Chabad)
Recommended Zip Line: Flight of Gibbon or Flying Squirrel,
   can be reserved through Yackov (המרכז המטייל)
   for best price.
When reserving tours, ask for a discount due to
   using your own transportation
Tailors:
   CM Tailors
His and Hers- 3 minute walk from LM on the way to chabbad.




Chiang Rai   CEI/4hr drive from CNX

Hotels                                                            Activities                                                                            Additional Info
Le Meridien
Four Seasons Tent Camp Golden Triangle
Black House
Queens Residence
Night market
Day trip to Burma/Myanmar
Waterfalls
White Temple
Ruaamit elephant camp
Pai village (3 hr drive)
Hot Springs
Scooters
Golden Triangle

« Last edited by CR on July 26, 2020, 11:38:14 AM »

Author Topic: Thailand Master Thread  (Read 750620 times)

Offline AJK

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3640 on: December 05, 2016, 02:58:27 PM »
I don't think 5 days in CNX is too much especially over Shabbas, but I know that trying to squeeze anything more in is the wrong move.
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Offline moisheyb

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Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3641 on: December 05, 2016, 03:08:03 PM »
Thinking of doing Thailand in March (on the way home (NY) from Israel). Working dates as of now is arriving on Wednesday afternoon, departing Monday night - 5 nights on the ground.

Want to do some of the local activities, but would be nice to get a few days of beach / relaxing in too. Traveling with a then 8 month old baby, so Shabbos would probably be stationary in hotel.

My options so far are as follows:

Option 1 is just do the extended weekend in CNX for 28k SPG (5th night free).
From reading TR's here, that seems like too many days.
No revenue flights needed.

Option 2 is Wednesday to Friday in USM, then fly to CNX until we leave on Monday.
2 nights in USM + 3 nights in CNX.
Revenue flights ~$600.

Option 3 is Wednesday to Friday in HKT, then fly to CNX until we leave on Monday.
2 nights in HKT + 3 nights in CNX.
Revenue flights ~$200.

Which would you choose?
Any other ideas or places to look into?

What dates are you looking at?
Where are you looking into to stay at usm or hkt?
How would you get back to the US?

Cnx for shabbos?

Offline mochjas

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3642 on: December 05, 2016, 03:09:54 PM »
Thinking of doing Thailand in March (on the way home (NY) from Israel). Working dates as of now is arriving on Wednesday afternoon, departing Monday night - 5 nights on the ground.

Want to do some of the local activities, but would be nice to get a few days of beach / relaxing in too. Traveling with a then 8 month old baby, so Shabbos would probably be stationary in hotel.

My options so far are as follows:

Option 1 is just do the extended weekend in CNX for 28k SPG (5th night free).
From reading TR's here, that seems like too many days.
No revenue flights needed.

Option 2 is Wednesday to Friday in USM, then fly to CNX until we leave on Monday.
2 nights in USM + 3 nights in CNX.
Revenue flights ~$600.

Option 3 is Wednesday to Friday in HKT, then fly to CNX until we leave on Monday.
2 nights in HKT + 3 nights in CNX.
Revenue flights ~$200.

Which would you choose?
Any other ideas or places to look into?
CNX with an 8 month old doesn't make sense. How do you plan on doing the activities?

Offline lubaby

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3643 on: December 05, 2016, 03:28:58 PM »
I don't think 5 days in CNX is too much especially over Shabbas, but I know that trying to squeeze anything more in is the wrong move.
I was thinking that to start, that's why it was Option 1, however then you have the point of:
CNX with an 8 month old doesn't make sense. How do you plan on doing the activities?
Figured we can't really to ATV'ing or intense sports, but we can do the shows and hikes or light boating. That's why I was thinking that 5.5 days might be too much, but it should easily work for a Sunday-Monday trip.
Of the 5.5 days, Wednesday would most like be relaxing (after flying from Israel) and Shabbos doesn't get counted. This gives us 4 full days to find things to do (or just hang out).

If the 4 days gets split with 1.5 days in USM or HKT, then Friday travel to CNX and get ready for Shabbos + Shabbos. That gives us Sunday-Monday to see some CNX shows or light activities.

What dates are you looking at? Week after Purim.
Where are you looking into to stay at usm or hkt? Nicest but most economical resort (in terms of points/vouchers).
How would you get back to the US? Would be booking as the return of a mini-RTW ticket with Aeroplan.

Cnx for shabbos? Don't see any reason why not.
« Last Edit: December 05, 2016, 03:32:25 PM by lubaby »

Offline shimino1

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3644 on: December 05, 2016, 03:32:10 PM »
I don't think 5 days in CNX is too much especially over Shabbas, but I know that trying to squeeze anything more in is the wrong move.
+1

Offline Emkay

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3645 on: December 05, 2016, 03:37:05 PM »
CNX with an 8 month old doesn't make sense. How do you plan on doing the activities?
I did it with a 3 month old and would do it again in a heartbeat.

Offline lubaby

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3646 on: December 05, 2016, 04:29:18 PM »
I did it with a 3 month old and would do it again in a heartbeat.
How many days were you there for? Did you do any activities other then shows?

Offline benjie1305

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3647 on: December 05, 2016, 04:30:16 PM »
3 days is a minimum for CNX imo. 3-6 is all within the range as there is lots to do in CNX. Id prefer the combo with a South Island to relax and chill as well.
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Offline Emkay

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3648 on: December 05, 2016, 04:30:22 PM »
How many days were you there for?
5 IIRC.

Offline lubaby

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3649 on: December 05, 2016, 04:31:51 PM »
3 days is a minimum for CNX imo. 3-6 is all within the range as there is lots to do in CNX. Id prefer the combo with a South Island to relax and chill as well.
Even taking into account the limited activities available due to traveling with infant?

Offline benjie1305

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3650 on: December 05, 2016, 04:33:00 PM »
Even taking into account the limited activities available due to traveling with infant?

When you say limited it sounds to me like a lot of the activities that are great and fun in CNX are out of the scope of things you are willing to do. Why not either skip CNX all together then or get a babysitter for the infant while you are there?
Work hard, Play harder!

Offline Emkay

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3651 on: December 05, 2016, 04:35:42 PM »
Even taking into account the limited activities available due to traveling with infant?
Yes.

Offline lubaby

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3652 on: December 05, 2016, 04:56:17 PM »
When you say limited it sounds to me like a lot of the activities that are great and fun in CNX are out of the scope of things you are willing to do.... or get a babysitter for the infant while you are there?
Depending on how long we'll be in CNX for.. If we did CNX for the whole 5 days, it would give us time to see if baby is happy with sitters and we can go out and do more fun things. If he's not happy, then we stick to what we can do together.

If we're anyways there for only 2 days, I don't think we'll be missing out on much of those due to time constraints .

Quote
Why not either skip CNX all together then
Neither of us been to Thailand and would like to see what the "world-famous CNX" has to offer, even if only for a few days.

I do know she will certainly enjoy a couple of days on a South Island, which is why I'm tempted to do that (thereby cutting the potential for doing more fun activities in CNX).
But that means higher costs (which can instead be utilized for another trip, or a better experience at one of the current trips) and extra flying time (wasting sightseeing / activity time).

Offline moisheyb

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3653 on: December 06, 2016, 01:53:34 AM »
I was thinking that to start, that's why it was Option 1, however then you have the point of:Figured we can't really to ATV'ing or intense sports, but we can do the shows and hikes or light boating. That's why I was thinking that 5.5 days might be too much, but it should easily work for a Sunday-Monday trip.
Of the 5.5 days, Wednesday would most like be relaxing (after flying from Israel) and Shabbos doesn't get counted. This gives us 4 full days to find things to do (or just hang out).

If the 4 days gets split with 1.5 days in USM or HKT, then Friday travel to CNX and get ready for Shabbos + Shabbos. That gives us Sunday-Monday to see some CNX shows or light activities.

Why don't you add one more day and make it a more Comfortable time in hkt or usm.
Looks like hkt is cheaper for hotels w private pools.

Wow just looked up the aeroplan mini rtw and looks amazing.
What are all the routing rules?
Can you do a stopover in isreal or Africa instead of Europe?

Another option is to do usm/hkt and bkk...


Offline lubaby

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3654 on: December 06, 2016, 10:09:51 AM »
Why don't you add one more day and make it a more Comfortable time in hkt or usm.
Looks like hkt is cheaper for hotels w private pools.

Wow just looked up the aeroplan mini rtw and looks amazing.
What are all the routing rules?
Can you do a stopover in isreal or Africa instead of Europe?

Another option is to do usm/hkt and bkk...
Due to time constraints (leaving Israel the day after Shushan Purim) the only way to get an extra day in USM/HKT is spending Shabbos there. But that makes travel to CNX after Shabbos a nightmare (or wastes half of Sunday traveling since the flight is at noon).
If I need to waste a morning traveling, rather it be on a Friday.
I could technically add another day in CNX "if neccisary", but that kills the following work week so rather not (already taking off 2+ weeks for this trip).

Also, the times being estimated for USM/HKT are enough for a short getaway (Wednesday half day, Thursday full day and Friday morning).

From what I've read, it seems like BKK should only be used as your major airport hub.

RE Aeroplan:
Not gonna get into all the rules here, but my general plan is Israel as a stopover on the way to Thailand.
Coupled with choosing airlines that have low taxes and Aeroplan's generous (low cost) infant policy, this seems to be the winner for me.

If you have more questions about Aeroplan, ask away in that thread.
http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=45830.0
« Last Edit: December 06, 2016, 10:13:26 AM by lubaby »

Offline shauly

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3655 on: December 06, 2016, 10:16:09 AM »
CNX with an 8 month old doesn't make sense. How do you plan on doing the activities?

I did it with a pregnant wife. There is still plenty to do without ATVing, zip lining, etc.

Offline lubaby

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3656 on: December 06, 2016, 10:25:59 AM »
I did it with a pregnant wife. There is still plenty to do without ATVing, zip lining, etc.
Planning on finishing your TR?  :P

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3657 on: December 06, 2016, 10:27:24 AM »
Planning on finishing your TR?  :P

One day.  ;)

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3658 on: December 06, 2016, 11:01:38 AM »
I did it with a pregnant wife. There is still plenty to do without ATVing, zip lining, etc.
i did it with a pregnant wife and 3 and 3 year olds. But 8 month old is completely different IMO

Offline shauly

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3659 on: December 06, 2016, 11:14:23 AM »
i did it with a pregnant wife and 3 and 3 year olds. But 8 month old is completely different IMO

You can do all the animal shows with the baby. My wife didn't ride the elephant, she walked along side, so if your wife doesn't mind walking with the baby then you can do that. We wen't to the grand canyon (which you can technically do but I wouldn't recommend it, it's really boring). You can also do the factory tours (again, wouldn't recommend). Then there's the night safari, and if your wife is up to walking you can do the Doi Suthep tour.