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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 751247 times)

Offline rots5

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2240 on: March 08, 2015, 08:03:23 PM »
Is there a way to contact the Israeli tour arrangers in Chiang mai prior to my trip other than a Thai phone number?

u can just walk into the office and he'll get it done for you
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline Emkay

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2241 on: March 09, 2015, 01:56:07 AM »
What are you looking to do that you want to set up something in advance?
I'll be landing in CNX at 11.10 pm. I would want to get my day started at a normal time the next day.  What would you suggest I do the first day that doesn't require a driver first thing in the morning?

Offline moish

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2242 on: March 09, 2015, 02:22:45 AM »
I'll be landing in CNX at 11.10 pm. I would want to get my day started at a normal time the next day.  What would you suggest I do the first day that doesn't require a driver first thing in the morning?
if its only a driver you seek, just set it up with your driver from the airport, no need for the israeli guys

Offline Emkay

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2243 on: March 09, 2015, 05:02:11 AM »
if its only a driver you seek, just set it up with your driver from the airport, no need for the israeli guys
It's more than just a driver I need but now that I think about it, I guess I'll do that for the first day.

Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2244 on: March 09, 2015, 08:45:48 AM »
It's more than just a driver I need but now that I think about it, I guess I'll do that for the first day.
Most of the activities (tigers, elephants, monkeys etc.) are all in the same area which any driver knows and will be happy to take you. I would think that maybe you would only need the Israeli place if you are doing zip lining and that kind of activity.

You do not need to waste a day setting up activities and tours.
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline Emkay

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2245 on: March 09, 2015, 08:52:26 AM »
Most of the activities (tigers, elephants, monkeys etc.) are all in the same area which any driver knows and will be happy to take you. I would think that maybe you would only need the Israeli place if you are doing zip lining and that kind of activity.

You do not need to waste a day setting up activities and tours.
Any specific order to do those activities?

Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2246 on: March 09, 2015, 08:53:46 AM »
Any specific order to do those activities?
There are a couple of elephant places, with one being a little farther out, but is less crowded. If you plan on doing a ride on the elephant, maybe do that first and then tigers.
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline Emkay

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2247 on: March 09, 2015, 08:55:17 AM »
If you plan on doing a ride on the elephant,
ok with a 4 month old?

Quote
There are a couple of elephant places, with one being a little farther out, but is less crowded.
any idea on the names of them?

Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2248 on: March 09, 2015, 09:04:37 AM »
ok with a 4 month old?
any idea on the names of them?
I did it with a six month old strapped into the baby carrier.

I do not recall the place i went to (the one farther out), but i'll check my TR...

ETA: Mae Taeng
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline moish

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2249 on: March 09, 2015, 09:15:56 AM »
the most popular one is Maesa Elephant Camp. its close to the long neck tribe.

Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2250 on: March 09, 2015, 09:21:16 AM »
the most popular one is Maesa Elephant Camp. its close to the long neck tribe.
I believe it is also more expensive than the Mae Taeng camp and more crowded.
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline Emkay

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2251 on: March 09, 2015, 09:23:51 AM »
the long neck tribe.
worth checking out?

Offline moish

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2252 on: March 09, 2015, 09:27:14 AM »
I believe it is also more expensive than the Mae Taeng camp and more crowded.
i think its like $20 for entrance, a 30min ride and the show. i dont recall it being too crowded

Offline moish

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2253 on: March 09, 2015, 09:29:01 AM »
worth checking out?
its touristy, but im a tourist so i checked it out. you have to ask yourself, "do i want to see people with long necks?"

Offline Emkay

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2254 on: March 09, 2015, 09:31:26 AM »
its touristy, but im a tourist so i checked it out. you have to ask yourself, "do i want to see people with long necks?"
I reckon I'm a tourist too and long neck people sound interesting, can get there by taxi?

Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2255 on: March 09, 2015, 09:34:32 AM »
I reckon I'm a tourist too and long neck people sound interesting, can get there by taxi?
They all do the tourist stuff.
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline Emkay

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2256 on: March 09, 2015, 09:40:48 AM »
Any Chabad people there do babysitting?

Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2257 on: March 09, 2015, 09:58:18 AM »
Any Chabad people there do babysitting?
I believe jaywhy used staff from the LMCM and was happy with them.
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline Emkay

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2258 on: March 09, 2015, 10:14:01 AM »
I believe jaywhy used staff from the LMCM and was happy with them.
Did he write a trip report?

Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2259 on: March 09, 2015, 10:26:25 AM »
Did he write a trip report?
I do not recall.
Quaerite et Invenietis.