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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 732347 times)

Offline Z56

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3900 on: July 30, 2017, 12:05:11 PM »
You've been to both?
What do you recommend near Chabad?
Conrad not an option.

I would  suggest you read This
的 have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for their lack of success. Great things come from hard work

Offline Denverite

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3901 on: July 30, 2017, 10:25:32 PM »
I would  suggest you read This

Thanks, that link was really helpful.

Offline Z56

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3902 on: July 31, 2017, 05:33:21 AM »
Can recommend a good driver in Bangkok?
的 have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for their lack of success. Great things come from hard work

Online Mordyk

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3903 on: August 03, 2017, 03:58:23 PM »
so whats the consensus? if im going for 7 days and over shabbos where should i stay? i read all trip reports and it confused me to no end :-\. i want nice hotels with private pool if possible. the hotels is one of the things that intrigue me about Thailand.  i want to do elephant ride, tiger kingdom and the rest of the regular Thailand activities.  chiang mai looks like the most activities, but how does it compare to others with food and hotels. the hotels dont seem as nice and dreamy as for example conrad koh samai.  or should i select two destinations?  TIA
#TYH

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3904 on: August 03, 2017, 04:58:46 PM »
so whats the consensus? if im going for 7 days and over shabbos where should i stay? i read all trip reports and it confused me to no end :-\. i want nice hotels with private pool if possible. the hotels is one of the things that intrigue me about Thailand.  i want to do elephant ride, tiger kingdom and the rest of the regular Thailand activities.  chiang mai looks like the most activities, but how does it compare to others with food and hotels. the hotels dont seem as nice and dreamy as for example conrad koh samai.  or should i select two destinations?  TIA
read this it should help you get the best of both worlds
http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=64105.0

Offline rileywiles23

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3905 on: August 04, 2017, 09:15:12 AM »
Anyone ever have luck getting LM CNX for a plat member, to adjust inventory to be able book an award stay, when it's not available ?
Life is as good as you make it...

Offline Z56

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3906 on: August 07, 2017, 12:17:37 PM »
Anyone ever have luck getting LM CNX for a plat member, to adjust inventory to be able book an award stay, when it's not available ?

What dates are you looking at ?
的 have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for their lack of success. Great things come from hard work

Offline rileywiles23

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3907 on: August 07, 2017, 09:49:48 PM »
What dates are you looking at ?
they opened up award space for us. Plus got upgraded to Executive suite. Pretty awesome
Life is as good as you make it...

Offline Z56

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3908 on: August 07, 2017, 10:23:55 PM »
they opened up award space for us. Plus got upgraded to Executive suite. Pretty awesome

Wow! Cool
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Offline AJK

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3909 on: August 11, 2017, 11:25:16 AM »
Actually a fantastic deal...

2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline EJB

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3910 on: August 11, 2017, 12:24:06 PM »
Actually a fantastic deal...


Maldives is also pretty reasonable now. Might make sense to book cash.

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3911 on: August 11, 2017, 12:43:48 PM »
Maldives is also pretty reasonable now. Might make sense to book cash.
not really if you get these hotels on a 5 night stay at 76k points per night buying the points at .4 it comes out to 304 a night

Even 423, it is plus tax so will be closer to $500 per night

Offline EJB

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3912 on: August 11, 2017, 12:46:05 PM »
1. Tax is negated by the value of the points you get
2. You're assuming a 5 night stay. Many ppl stay 3-4.
3. Buying points requires you to book under someone else's account, which not everyone likes doing
4. Points availability can be worse than cash
5. You can book a premium room for less too. Hard to do that w points

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3913 on: August 11, 2017, 12:51:55 PM »
1. Tax is negated by the value of the points you get
2. You're assuming a 5 night stay. Many ppl stay 3-4.
3. Buying points requires you to book under someone else's account, which not everyone likes doing
4. Points availability can be worse than cash
5. You can book a premium room for less too. Hard to do that w points
1- not really you earn about 20 ppd if diamond so  about 6k a night which is worth $24 tax is more than that
2- on a 1 night stay it comes out to 380 which is still much better
3 Hilton allows points pooling so you can book under your own account
4 is definitely true
5 you can pay cash on top of the points to upgrade and that will be cheaper than booking the upgraded room directly most times.

Offline EJB

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3914 on: August 11, 2017, 01:11:35 PM »
1- not really you earn about 20 ppd if diamond so  about 6k a night which is worth $24 tax is more than that
2- on a 1 night stay it comes out to 380 which is still much better
3 Hilton allows points pooling so you can book under your own account
4 is definitely true
5 you can pay cash on top of the points to upgrade and that will be cheaper than booking the upgraded room directly most times.
And you're forgetting Citi assuming the rate is bookable through them

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3915 on: August 11, 2017, 01:12:39 PM »
And you're forgetting Citi assuming the rate is bookable through them
good point!

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3916 on: August 20, 2017, 10:59:31 PM »
http://auction.hhonors.com/iSynApp/auctionDisplay.action?auctionId=1917272

If you've got some HHonors points to burn, this is a killer package.  Obviously the gourmet dinner isn't so valuable to most people here but since they anyway will get kosher breakfast from Chabad, I'm sure they'd get you some free dinners too and the transfers, tours and spa inclusions make this a great package.  If this expired end of January (when I'm going) instead of December then I'd be bidding instead of posting it here.    ;D

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3917 on: August 30, 2017, 01:26:05 AM »
what area in Thailand is recommended for sukkos?

Offline Denverite

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3918 on: August 30, 2017, 12:51:25 PM »
In case anyone is interested, here is the full kosher menu from the Conrad Koh Samui (sourced from Chabad).  Prices are WAY more than in the restaurant but Chabad anyway clearly asks that people wanting meals at resorts to use their delivery service (from Bankok) as the restaurant is so heavily subsidized to try to get the non-religious Israelis in the door.  Obviously these prices aren't cheap but at least they do also include delivery and I like that I can put the hotel in charge of everything so I have someone to go back to if it's not correct and also charge it to my room an pay with my Surpass card (hopefully getting about 30% in HHonors points accrual).  Anyway, thought I'd share.

Kosher menu "from Conrad"
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B91uLHnz8Fa3LVVZWUJnYURuYTVUTUpLd3NCOGpacHBWNEc4/view?usp=sharing

Chabad explains it all here about how their restaurants are subsidized:
http://www.jewishthailand.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/913646/jewish/Koh-Samui.htm

regular menu from Chabad restaurant:
http://www.kosherthailand.com/kosher-restaurants-and-catering/restaurants-menus/kho-samui.html


Here is their catering menu (delivered to your hotel double wrapped and ready for consumption):
http://jewishthailand.com/media/pdf/626/cPrH6268595.pdf

Offline Z56

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3919 on: August 30, 2017, 01:06:37 PM »
In case anyone is interested, here is the full kosher menu from the Conrad Koh Samui (sourced from Chabad).  Prices are WAY more than in the restaurant but Chabad anyway clearly asks that people wanting meals at resorts to use their delivery service (from Bankok) as the restaurant is so heavily subsidized to try to get the non-religious Israelis in the door.  Obviously these prices aren't cheap but at least they do also include delivery and I like that I can put the hotel in charge of everything so I have someone to go back to if it's not correct and also charge it to my room an pay with my Surpass card (hopefully getting about 30% in HHonors points accrual).  Anyway, thought I'd share.

Kosher menu "from Conrad"
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B91uLHnz8Fa3LVVZWUJnYURuYTVUTUpLd3NCOGpacHBWNEc4/view?usp=sharing

Chabad explains it all here about how their restaurants are subsidized:
http://www.jewishthailand.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/913646/jewish/Koh-Samui.htm

regular menu from Chabad restaurant:
http://www.kosherthailand.com/kosher-restaurants-and-catering/restaurants-menus/kho-samui.html


Here is their catering menu (delivered to your hotel double wrapped and ready for consumption):
http://jewishthailand.com/media/pdf/626/cPrH6268595.pdf

add to wiki
的 have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for their lack of success. Great things come from hard work