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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 746502 times)

Offline IsraelGuy

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1660 on: January 20, 2014, 08:46:50 AM »
There is a new Radisson Blu opening in Bangkok in April. http://www.radissonblu.com/plazahotel-bangkok

Trying to research its location quality and proximity (ease of access) to the Kosher restaurant and BKK. How would you compare its location to the Le Meredian and Royal Orchid? (For a weekday stay.) Thx!

We stayed at the aloft which is just a tiny bit up the road on Sukhumvit. The area wasn't anything spectacular, but it wasn't bad by any means. I think a lot of it depends on where you plan on going. A few points to consider:

1. Taxis to most places in Bangkok are dirt cheap. Some prices from that area (only accept a taxi that will use the meter):
  • Hotel to Airport (30m)- 200 THB
  • Hotel to Chabad (30m)- 100 THB
  • Hotel to Sky bar (20-30m)- 150THB
  • Hotel to Platinum Shopping center - 60 THB
2. Sukhumvit is located on the BTS and MRT lines so public transportation is a fairly easy option
  • From BKK to Sukhumvit  - 63 THB
  • Hotel to Chatachuk market (30m) - 42 THB

That being said I highly recommend paying the extra $4.50 to take a taxi to and from the airport  :P   Dragging our luggage around wasn't worth saving the 80 baht between the two of us.

3. Some areas are somewhat dead at night and that area of Sukhumvit was one of them. There were plenty of bars and things still going, but nothing compared to the Khao San area. That being said we liked it there, as it was nice to come back to the hotel and relax without feeling like there were millions of people walking around just outside our door, but to each their own. Chabad is a little bit of a schlep, but we usually ended up not to far away during our evening activities, so we just popped in for a nice dinner and walked around the Khao San after, which was fun.

We didn't stay near the Le Meridian or ROS so I can't speak to those locations. Hope that helps.

Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1661 on: January 20, 2014, 09:40:13 AM »
Anyone planning or going to Thailand in the near future? Any worries about all the civil unrest, bombing etc?
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline Hudi

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1662 on: January 20, 2014, 10:54:13 AM »
We stayed at the aloft which is just a tiny bit up the road on Sukhumvit. The area wasn't anything spectacular, but it wasn't bad by any means. I think a lot of it depends on where you plan on going. A few points to consider:

1. Taxis to most places in Bangkok are dirt cheap. Some prices from that area (only accept a taxi that will use the meter):
  • Hotel to Airport (30m)- 200 THB
  • Hotel to Chabad (30m)- 100 THB
  • Hotel to Sky bar (20-30m)- 150THB
  • Hotel to Platinum Shopping center - 60 THB
2. Sukhumvit is located on the BTS and MRT lines so public transportation is a fairly easy option
  • From BKK to Sukhumvit  - 63 THB
  • Hotel to Chatachuk market (30m) - 42 THB

That being said I highly recommend paying the extra $4.50 to take a taxi to and from the airport  :P   Dragging our luggage around wasn't worth saving the 80 baht between the two of us.

3. Some areas are somewhat dead at night and that area of Sukhumvit was one of them. There were plenty of bars and things still going, but nothing compared to the Khao San area. That being said we liked it there, as it was nice to come back to the hotel and relax without feeling like there were millions of people walking around just outside our door, but to each their own. Chabad is a little bit of a schlep, but we usually ended up not to far away during our evening activities, so we just popped in for a nice dinner and walked around the Khao San after, which was fun.

We didn't stay near the Le Meridian or ROS so I can't speak to those locations. Hope that helps.

Thank you!! Very helpful info.

Offline E

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1663 on: January 20, 2014, 12:28:05 PM »
Anyone planning or going to Thailand in the near future? Any worries about all the civil unrest, bombing etc?
currently flying out of bangkok as we speak, seems that any protesting is isolated to a few areas hotel and taxis keep track so as long as you ask before you head out it seems ok didn't see anything out of the ordinary besides barbed wire around government offices.

Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1664 on: January 20, 2014, 01:01:25 PM »
currently flying out of bangkok as we speak, seems that any protesting is isolated to a few areas hotel and taxis keep track so as long as you ask before you head out it seems ok didn't see anything out of the ordinary besides barbed wire around government offices.
Thanks.
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline IsraelGuy

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1665 on: January 21, 2014, 09:42:51 AM »
I'd just keep monitoring the news. And if your travel dates include Feb 2nd I'd watch it very closely.

Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1666 on: January 21, 2014, 09:43:42 AM »
I'd just keep monitoring the news. And if your travel dates include Feb 2nd I'd watch it very closely.
The Super Bowl?! :)
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline IsraelGuy

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1667 on: January 21, 2014, 10:54:42 AM »
The Super Bowl?! :)

Ha. No a little more serious over there- elections.

Offline chuchem

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1668 on: January 22, 2014, 07:54:46 AM »
Answering some of the questions

I didn't think of krabi, as the price of the 2br villa was very good. Last year I got the rate online from spg sale. This year the manager just matched me last year's rate for this summer

These are all the + we had and the reason we didn't look somewere else

2br villa with big private pool
Outdoor jacuzzi
On the beach (basically private)
Hotel facilities, like kidsclub, pools, daily cleaning
Chabad within reasonable distance

Can I get this somewere else for this price, maybe. But we don't like to change a winning team. We were 100% happy with all

We had a kitchen with a stove we kashered. Bought 2 cheap pots there
We used oven to heat up food after double wrapping
Big fridge and freezer
We stored some of the food in hotels freezer

We used chabad for shabbes food, but could have survived without

We had about 5 suitcases of food and managed quite well. We even took along a bread baking machine and had fresh bread every day

We took along

Meat (steak, burger, chicken, hot dog... you name it)
Cold cuts
Milk
Flower
Cereals
Nosh
Tuna
Frozen pizza
Pasta
Lox

We took every every everything along, but I didn't care. I didn't touch the suitcases from our house (taxi driver, porters, bellboys) and it made it easier not running around looking for ou chips or other kosher stuff

The only thing we bought there was sweet drinks and some plastic dishes


Offline ChikkyMonkey

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1669 on: January 22, 2014, 01:13:46 PM »
Thanks a lot!

What is the daily price he gave you? and is it cancelable?


Offline chuchem

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1670 on: January 22, 2014, 01:19:37 PM »
14000 baht, half paid in advance.
When do you want to go? They only have one and I took it after 9 av

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1671 on: January 22, 2014, 01:44:25 PM »
I'm looking at June

I've previously stayed in their reg pool villa w/2 kids was great

For my dates price is slightly cheaper even

You're referring to residential villa right?

No trips of interest to kids around there right?

Offline ChikkyMonkey

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1672 on: January 22, 2014, 03:54:00 PM »
They only have one

There seem to be two - "Residential Oceanfront Pool Villa - 2" see attached pics

I also searched their site and after tisha beav Aug 6-13 showing available... you sure there's only one?
« Last Edit: January 22, 2014, 04:18:59 PM by ChikkyMonkey »

Offline Ergel

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1673 on: January 22, 2014, 04:10:22 PM »
Arriving very late on a Monday (really Tuesday morning) in Phuket. Where should I spend the night? Headed to Ko Phi Phi for Tuesday-Thursday (afternoon ferry back to Phuket on Thursday and on to CNX). Should I head straight to Ko Phi Phi (morning ferry is 8:30, not sure I'll make it) or explore a little and then go on the afternoon ferry. I understand the eastern shore is interesting? Should I rent a car and explore? Can I rent a car in the airport and return near the ferry?
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline Dan

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1674 on: January 22, 2014, 04:13:03 PM »
I'd go straight to PhiPhi unless you want to eat breakfast by Chabad.
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 #1675 on: January 22, 2014, 04:13:50 PM »
I'd go straight to PhiPhi unless you want to eat breakfast by Chabad.
I hear, but I doubt I'd make the 8:30 ferry after arriving at 1 AM. Maybe we'll just sleep until 11, eat an early lunch and head to the 1:30 ferry
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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1676 on: January 22, 2014, 04:15:45 PM »
I'd either bust your butt to be out by 830, or spend day in HKT exploring and take evening ferry.

Though in theory sleeping till 11, eating a late lunch, and hopping on a 130 ferry sounds great, what you've done is kill Tuesday.

Pick HKT or Phi Phi.

ETA: Of course, you could wake up at 11, eat a late lunch and explore HKT for the afternoon...
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

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1677 on: January 22, 2014, 04:16:40 PM »
I'd either bust your butt to be out by 830, or spend day in HKT exploring.

Though in theory sleeping till 11, eating a late lunch, and hopping on a 130 ferry sounds great, what you've done is kill Tuesday.

Pick HKT or Phi Phi.
No reason at all to explore HKT when you're going to PhiPhi.  HKT is nasty.
And the food at Chabad isn't good enough to warrant missing a day there.
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 #1678 on: January 22, 2014, 04:17:53 PM »
So then ^ vote would be 830 ferry.

Though, plenty of people think HKT is beautiful.
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

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1679 on: January 22, 2014, 04:20:47 PM »
Though, plenty of people think HKT is beautiful.

Some very nice areas, and some nasty (patong)