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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 749529 times)

Offline lubaby

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3660 on: December 06, 2016, 11:28:22 AM »
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.
How long were you there for?

Sounds like 2 days worth, not 4-5 (for my "dilemma").

Offline shauly

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3661 on: December 06, 2016, 11:33:49 AM »
How long were you there for?

Sounds like 2 days worth, not 4-5 (for my "dilemma").

We arrived Monday night, left Sunday evening. We did everything very slowly, and didn't pack our days so it wouldn't be too much for my wife. You can definitely do what we did in less time.

Offline efflpetzel

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3662 on: December 06, 2016, 05:44:07 PM »
Anyone have recommendations for an elephant camp near Bangkok

Offline efflpetzel

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3663 on: December 07, 2016, 12:14:15 AM »
Anyone have recommendations for an elephant camp near Bangkok
Also need recommendation for a 5 star hotel for 1 night in Bangkok

Offline moisheyb

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3664 on: December 07, 2016, 01:47:09 AM »
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


Now that I'm thinking about it, it probably just makes more sense to do one place.
If you do 2 places that would mean you only  have Thursday, Sunday and part of Monday as days for activities. 
If you stay in one place that will reduce travel time obviously and add Friday as a full day for more activities.

Going to usm/hkt for one full day is hard to justify the 2 days of travel that I'll take to get there. Ie travel to the airport, security, etc.

Bkk is obviously below cnx but what about staying in hkt/usm through shabbos and then Sunday night fly to bkk and see some of the Thailand experience.. 
And it'll save you a flight and travel time...just a thought

If you stop in tlv where would you transit though to get to bkk?
I gotta look into this aeroplan routing  more! Thx!

Offline meirk

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3665 on: December 10, 2016, 05:06:38 PM »
what is the best or cheapest option for flights from tlv to bkk on points

Offline Z56

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3666 on: December 10, 2016, 05:33:03 PM »
what is the best or cheapest option for flights from tlv to bkk on points

SQ or UA
“I have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for their lack of success. Great things come from hard work

Offline meirk

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3667 on: December 11, 2016, 07:27:23 AM »
SQ or UA
thanks.
how many points of each round-trip pp?

Offline moisheyb

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3668 on: December 11, 2016, 07:28:56 AM »
thanks.
how many points of each round-trip pp?

Economy 35k pp per way

Offline shimino1

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3669 on: December 11, 2016, 07:54:12 AM »
what is the best or cheapest option for flights from tlv to bkk on points
AA points on Royal Jordanian flights.
25K econ
40k Biz

Offline moisheyb

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3670 on: December 11, 2016, 08:02:33 AM »
AA points on Royal Jordanian flights.
25K econ
40k Biz

Can you route thru lhr?

Offline Emkay

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3671 on: December 11, 2016, 08:25:50 AM »
Can you route thru lhr?
No, and LHR has high fuel surcharges.

Offline moisheyb

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3672 on: December 11, 2016, 08:41:00 AM »
No, and LHR has high fuel surcharges.

Ah true that. Wife isn't into Jordan...yet...

Offline Denverite

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3673 on: December 13, 2016, 05:18:58 PM »
AA points on Royal Jordanian flights.
25K econ
40k Biz

And this consistently has 2 J seat open on every flights.

Ah true that. Wife isn't into Jordan...yet...

Don't know if it helps but many times the layover is super short and it seems like taking this flight is only a teeny bit longer than the direct El AL flights.  Starting in March, you can also take Cathay Pacific through Hong Kong too, they also offer two J seats on overly HKG-TLV flight.

Offline lubaby

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3674 on: December 13, 2016, 11:37:27 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?
Just booked flights getting 5 nights in CNX (Thursday afternoon to Tuesday evening). Gonna do that on the way to Israel instead of on the way home.

Offline eandd

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3675 on: December 21, 2016, 10:53:50 AM »
can anyone recommend a similan snorkeling day trip/2d1n liveaboard from khao lak with reasonable pricing
Thanks!

Offline Saulius

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3676 on: December 22, 2016, 07:18:26 AM »
can anyone recommend a similan snorkeling day trip/2d1n liveaboard from khao lak with reasonable pricing
Thanks!

If you are opting for a liveaboard trip, why don't you go on a scuba diving trip? PADI scuba diving certification is not difficult to obtain.

Check out http://wikitravel.org/en/Similan_Islands , there is a listing of liveaboards and day trips from Khao Lak

Although, if you are looking for recommendations - I would suggest searching or posting on the tripadvisor.com forums.
« Last Edit: December 22, 2016, 07:26:42 AM by Saulius »

Offline INTELLIGENTBLONDE

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3677 on: January 15, 2017, 10:30:07 PM »
what is the best or cheapest option for flights from nyc to bkk on points?

Offline ual902

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3678 on: January 15, 2017, 10:53:57 PM »

Offline ual902

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3679 on: January 17, 2017, 10:36:48 PM »
Can you anyone recommend a real massage place that knows what thier doing in bkk preferably near kohsan road or near the airport?.