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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 751567 times)

Offline Dan

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1340 on: July 22, 2013, 11:37:23 PM »
I stayed at the Le Merdian.
So you're comparing one of the best hotels in USM to one of the worst in BOB...

Dan, Bora Bora is mostly just the clear water.
In the Conrad the view is islands and light blue water.
A good hotel room in BOB should have an awesome view of the island itself and Mt. Otemanu.
And should have killer snorkeling accessible by jumping off your bungalow, which you won't get in USM.
And should be accessible to a beautiful pristine island to walk around, which is probably the opposite of what you'll find in the city of USM.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline elibeli2

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1341 on: July 22, 2013, 11:40:55 PM »
So you're comparing one of the best hotels in USM to one of the worst in BOB...
A good hotel room in BOB should have an awesome view of the island itself and Mt. Otemanu.
And should have killer snorkeling accessible by jumping off your bungalow, which you won't get in USM.
And should be accessible to a beautiful pristine island to walk around, which is probably the opposite of what you'll find in the city of USM.

I was comparing the views only.

Sure Bora Bora has crazy stuff that no other place has, OWB, Snorkling etc...

Like I said, my wife thinks that the view of Bora Bora is nicer.

BTW... the Merdian is a very nice hotel in Bora Bora and we did get a nice view of the island.

But I still think the view the at the Conrad is nicer.

Offline Dan

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1342 on: July 22, 2013, 11:47:48 PM »
I was comparing the views only.

Sure Bora Bora has crazy stuff that no other place has, OWB, Snorkling etc...

Like I said, my wife thinks that the view of Bora Bora is nicer.

BTW... the Merdian is a very nice hotel in Bora Bora and we did get a nice view of the island.

But I still think the view the at the Conrad is nicer.
When was this only about the view?

The LMBB is not considered among the nicer hotels in BB.

And what beats this view?




« Last Edit: July 22, 2013, 11:51:19 PM by Dan »
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline AJK

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1343 on: July 22, 2013, 11:48:52 PM »
The view does happen to be spectacular...

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 AJK

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1344 on: July 22, 2013, 11:53:20 PM »
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 rots5

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1345 on: July 23, 2013, 01:52:23 AM »
Gorgeous pictures.

@elibeli were u in LM cnx this past shabb?
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline elibeli2

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1346 on: July 23, 2013, 02:13:21 AM »

@elibeli were u in LM cnx this past shabb?

No. Going to be this Shabbos.
Any tips for LM CNX?

Offline Dan

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1347 on: July 23, 2013, 02:14:02 AM »
No. Going to be this Shabbos.
Any tips for LM CNX?
Ask for a low floor in advance.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline elibeli2

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1348 on: July 23, 2013, 02:16:17 AM »
@dan,
don't you think it is time that there should be different threads for each island in Thailand. It is impossible to find something you want the thread is too big.

There should be one for Ko Samui, Chaing mai, Phuket etc....
« Last Edit: July 23, 2013, 02:20:33 AM by elibeli2 »

Offline rots5

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1349 on: July 23, 2013, 02:28:15 PM »
@dan,
don't you think it is time that there should be different threads for each island in Thailand. It is impossible to find something you want the thread is too big.

There should be one for Ko Samui, Chaing mai, Phuket etc....
the lowest floor with a ur suite is 11. I just was there this past shabb. Tell the shliach r Yossie ur on ddf. He'll love it. Also make sure the front desk makes up a key or two for when u come back from shul/eating.

If you have any questions i can try to help as i am finishing my trip up thurs. iyh.
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline Dan

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1350 on: July 23, 2013, 02:32:20 PM »
@dan,
don't you think it is time that there should be different threads for each island in Thailand. It is impossible to find something you want the thread is too big.

There should be one for Ko Samui, Chaing mai, Phuket etc....
Volunteering to go through and split up 1,349 posts?
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline damaxer91

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1351 on: July 23, 2013, 02:58:35 PM »
A big pet peeve of mine is when people tell you how cheap the Chabad houses in Thailand are (even free on Shabbos!!)

If you can afford to travel to Thailand, you can surely afford a decent donation to the local Shliach ($100 min.)

Maybe make a sticky with a reminder :)

Offline Dan

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1352 on: July 23, 2013, 03:42:03 PM »
A big pet peeve of mine is when people tell you how cheap the Chabad houses in Thailand are (even free on Shabbos!!)

If you can afford to travel to Thailand, you can surely afford a decent donation to the local Shliach ($100 min.)

Maybe make a sticky with a reminder :)
It's no wonder a hotel can give food for free when meals from Chabad cost a subsidized $1-$3 ;)
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1353 on: July 23, 2013, 06:01:23 PM »
A big pet peeve of mine is when people tell you how cheap the Chabad houses in Thailand are (even free on Shabbos!!)

If you can afford to travel to Thailand, you can surely afford a decent donation to the local Shliach ($100 min.)

Maybe make a sticky with a reminder :)
I spent a year in Venice where food ain't cheap, and people conveniently didn't leave donations after feasting an entire Shabbos with Chabad. To be Melamed Zchus people really think that there's some organization that pays for all of this.

Offline Hudi

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1354 on: July 23, 2013, 06:22:05 PM »
I also thought the Conrad was the nicest hotel I've ever stayed in.

You're welcome. Tell Chef Konrad hello from us. No, that's not a pun.

We got 5 days of kosher breakfast in addition to free dinner. All for the low price of $7.

Do you think the Conrad will still be nice next July? Also, did you order dinner via the hotel or Chabad? 

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1355 on: July 23, 2013, 06:37:27 PM »
Still be nice? Meaning what?

July is rainy season on USM.

Ordered through the hotel, but (for all those that are curious) left a donation when we first arrived.
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 Hudi

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1356 on: July 23, 2013, 06:41:50 PM »
Still be nice? Meaning what?

July is rainy season on USM.

It's a fairly new hotel. Was wondering if it looks like it'll be maintained well. Also with the SPG resort sales was thinking about switching the W or the Venne.

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1357 on: July 23, 2013, 06:50:08 PM »
I'm sure it'll be just as nice next July as it was this May.

Not sure it's worth the SPG to book the W, IMO.
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 andrew

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1358 on: July 23, 2013, 06:58:09 PM »


The values are pretty poor. And AFAIK, it requires a RT.
-1 could be done ow, but for bkk usm it doesnt save you much over booking directly with pg.

Offline AJK

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1359 on: July 23, 2013, 07:01:20 PM »
So, what you mean to -1, is only the second half of the statement.

The values still suck.
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