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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 747886 times)

Offline Cbs

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #260 on: July 19, 2012, 03:49:59 PM »
Is there a 1stop website to search flights within Thailand (kayak only seems to pull up Thai air with what i tried)?

When looking for domestic flights I have found skyscanner.com to be the cheapest

Offline yas

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #261 on: July 19, 2012, 03:58:20 PM »
Thanks CBS

Im leaning towards skipping the beaches, although i read that Koh Samui has better weather than phuket and other beaches this time of year,  would you know anything about that?

Offline Cbs

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #262 on: July 19, 2012, 04:00:31 PM »
Thanks CBS

Im leaning towards skipping the beaches, although i read that Koh Samui has better weather than phuket and other beaches this time of year,  would you know anything about that?
thats what i heard as well but im not there now so i dont know forsure...all i know is that in early june when it rained hard in phuket and in BKK it was fine in koa samui

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #263 on: July 19, 2012, 04:23:43 PM »
thats what i heard as well but im not there now so i dont know forsure...all i know is that in early june when it rained hard in phuket and in BKK it was fine in koa samui
I checked the Thai website for weather, and the avg number of rainy days in Samui was close to the amount in Phuket, just that the total rainfall is less.
Also, most flight options from Chiang Mai to Samui are with a stopover, only one is direct, and it's expensive by Thai standards.

Offline MAJ

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #264 on: July 20, 2012, 08:16:52 AM »
http://www.jewishthailand.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/913059/jewish/Bangkok.htm
seems to be three places in bangkok that have shabbos meals. which one is the most ejoyable experience? going with my wife and baby

Offline yas

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #265 on: July 20, 2012, 01:43:14 PM »
Has anyone checked out the floating markets in and near Bangkok?
Has anyone come across any nice very quiet beaches within driving distance of Bangkok?

Offline yas

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #266 on: July 20, 2012, 01:50:11 PM »
http://www.jewishthailand.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/913059/jewish/Bangkok.htm
seems to be three places in bangkok that have shabbos meals. which one is the most ejoyable experience? going with my wife and baby

The only one i can answer for is Ohr Menachem Chabad.
I just spoke to a friend that was there last year who really enjoyed it, and had a amazing experience there, and Rabbi Nechemia Whillhelm is a amazing person. You just need to keep in mind that its geared towards Israeli tourists from what i hear.

Offline Cbs

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #267 on: July 20, 2012, 02:00:08 PM »
http://www.jewishthailand.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/913059/jewish/Bangkok.htm
seems to be three places in bangkok that have shabbos meals. which one is the most ejoyable experience? going with my wife and baby
Chabad next to kao sahn rd is the most exciting one with young tourists and its all in Hebrew .
The one by sukhumvit is geared, towards families and English speaking / businessman and the one in shangri la hotel is the sfardi people, (chabad rabbi)
I would say go to the main chabad house with wilhelm (next to kao sahn. Rd) . Its fun its free its exciting,  pretty good food. Great people

Offline damaxer91

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #268 on: July 20, 2012, 04:34:26 PM »
Chabad next to kao sahn rd is the most exciting one with young tourists and its all in Hebrew .
The one by sukhumvit is geared, towards families and English speaking / businessman and the one in shangri la hotel is the sfardi people, (chabad rabbi)
I would say go to the main chabad house with wilhelm (next to kao sahn. Rd) . Its fun its free its exciting,  pretty good food. Great people

And don't forget to leave a nice donation. Remember that even the "Restaurant" is highly subsidized

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #269 on: July 23, 2012, 01:37:48 AM »
I saw another airline. Orient Thai Airlines.

Any review? They seem pretty cheap.

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #270 on: July 24, 2012, 03:49:32 PM »
Anyone have kashrus advice? Can the coffee or sugar in hotels be used? What can be bought off the streets?

Offline MAJ

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #271 on: July 24, 2012, 07:38:52 PM »
On my fourth try.
Couple agents have started doing it and then realized that I must transit BKK twice. Then they say its not allowed...

Damaxer, you're a gentleman and a scholar.

It was again and again and again AND again but I got an agent to process it. Just hope the re-ticketing isnt manual and someone else notices :-\

sorry to bring back and old topic.
what did you say on the phone? im flying to bkk and than i have a flight from hkt to hkg. trying to add bkk to cnx and than cnx to hkt. they told me that phuket is farther than bkk so it cant be done. what would everyone advise that i say on the phone?

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #272 on: July 24, 2012, 10:09:15 PM »
sorry to bring back and old topic.
what did you say on the phone? im flying to bkk and than i have a flight from hkt to hkg. trying to add bkk to cnx and than cnx to hkt. they told me that phuket is farther than bkk so it cant be done. what would everyone advise that i say on the phone?
If the agent knows the rules, there's nothing you can say.

Just keep calling back and asking for the flights to be added. Hopefully you'll find someone to do it.

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #273 on: July 24, 2012, 11:45:36 PM »
sorry to bring back and old topic.
what did you say on the phone? im flying to bkk and than i have a flight from hkt to hkg. trying to add bkk to cnx and than cnx to hkt. they told me that phuket is farther than bkk so it cant be done. what would everyone advise that i say on the phone?
HUCA.... Thats how we all got there  :)
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #274 on: July 25, 2012, 10:33:23 AM »
Chabad next to kao sahn rd is the most exciting one with young tourists and its all in Hebrew .
The one by sukhumvit is geared, towards families and English speaking / businessman and the one in shangri la hotel is the sfardi people, (chabad rabbi)
I would say go to the main chabad house with wilhelm (next to kao sahn. Rd) . Its fun its free its exciting,  pretty good food. Great people

any nice hotels that work for shabbos in the area?

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #275 on: July 25, 2012, 11:48:54 AM »
any nice hotels that work for shabbos in the area?
theres Viengtai Hotel which is across the chabad house and its not amazingly nice but its decent..about 1800-2000 baht a night .
there is another one thats newer in the area, i dont know what its called but you can come to chabad the day you get there and ask.

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #276 on: July 25, 2012, 01:31:22 PM »
Here is our tentative itinerary for our trip.

Fly from TLV to AMM to BKK in biz class.
Suffer a 12 hour stopover in AMM. Unsure if we'll stay in lounge, or go into the city. I still haven't seen anything particularly interesting in the city to do. (Anyone know which hotel status's give you benefits in their lounges? I recall signing up for s/t once that lets you stop in and have free tea or s/t.)
Land in BKK from AMM in the afternoon.
Have a 3-4 layover and fly to Chiang Rai.
While in BKK, have Chabad deliver food to airport for 500 Baht fee.
Land in Chiang Rai in evening, stay in Le Meridian for 2 nights on c&p
Perhaps hire a driver for day to take us around to sites. (Laos perhaps?) I received a price quote from s/o who was recommended on FT for 2,000 baht + gas for the day.
Take either a bus or car service from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai after the 2 nights. (Any advice for what to do on the way? If there is s/t, we'd pay a car service.)
Spend 3 nights including shabbos at a resort outside of Chiang Mai.
The activities I am hoping to do include the Gibbons zip line, night safari, elephant ride, Sunday night shuk, waterfall. I'd be interested in hearing more ideas.
Spend the 4th night at the Le Meridian on c&p (which was only bookable after hours of calls and chats. it seems that they don't have 'standard' rooms, they're all deluxe or higher)
Fly to BKK, spend the evening at Park Plaza to receive 50k Carlson points, leave early the next morning.
Fly from BKK to Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific biz class, short stopover, and then back to TLV on El Al.

I'd love anyone's advice or comments.

Also, I'm going to bump this question I asked.
Anyone have kashrus advice? Can the coffee or sugar in hotels be used? What can be bought off the streets?

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #277 on: July 25, 2012, 01:40:39 PM »
2,000 Baht+gas sounds very expensive for a driver for a day.
We had a driver for a day in CM and it was maybe 800 Baht with gas IIRC.

Also don't miss the Saturday night market in CNX, the elephant show (supposedly there's a better place to actually ride the elephants), monkey show, cobra show, tiger kingdom, river ride, etc.
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 #278 on: July 25, 2012, 03:22:23 PM »
2,000 Baht+gas sounds very expensive for a driver for a day.
We had a driver for a day in CM and it was maybe 800 Baht with gas IIRC.

Also don't miss the Saturday night market in CNX, the elephant show (supposedly there's a better place to actually ride the elephants), monkey show, cobra show, tiger kingdom, river ride, etc.
never thought I would hear that $70 per day + gas is expensive for a car and tour guide :)  Gotta love the prices.

Is the Sunday night shuk than Saturday night? So they sell different stuff? Is the river ride okay for an infant, or is it not even worth asking?

Finally, any thoughts on the kashrus, or did you just eat at chabad when you were there?

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #279 on: July 25, 2012, 03:27:03 PM »
You're talking about a city where a cab from the airport to the hotel costs $4...

I wasn't there for Sunday evening, but from what I heard they are very different.  There's also a nightly market of knockoffs on the street that the LM and Chabad are on.

I also didn't have time for the river ride, you'll have to ask ChikkyMonkey, he's the expert on CNX.

We just ate at Chabad and fressed on lots of Osem Tea Biscuits from their small store when doing activities.
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.