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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 732452 times)

Offline AJK

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2780 on: November 19, 2015, 07:09:16 PM »
Well, I don't have the ability to go away for 2-3 week vacations.
So if I want to travel to farther destinations, then I just have to make to do with the time I have.
Plus the excitement of flying in certain premium cabins that I've never been on, makes the flying time a bit easier to handle.
I'm not a Europe fan, but in your case, I'd sooner do that than fly 2.5 days for 2.5 days on the ground.

Wait until you can have 5 days on the ground in Thailand.
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 rileywiles23

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2781 on: November 19, 2015, 09:27:02 PM »
I'll be able to stay for shabbos, thereby having 5 days on the ground.
Thanks for the advice.
Life is as good as you make it...

Offline AJK

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2782 on: November 20, 2015, 02:03:59 AM »
I'll be able to stay for shabbos, thereby having 5 days on the ground.
Thanks for the advice.

Leaving MS means you don't get to a tertiary city like until Monday afternoon at the earliest. And that's assuming you're leaving in the winter. Then, on the return, if you're lucky enough to fly ex-CNX on MS, the earliest you'd arrive in NYC (assuming that's where you're leaving from/departing to) is late Sunday afternoon.

Assuming you could do that, you'd have about 5 days on the ground (but be gone from NYC for 8). And that's if you hit the award ticket lotto with perfect timing. It could easily stretch into arriving on Tuesday in CNX and Monday on the return.

With that amount of time, I'd not try to dance at 2 wedding at the same time. Do CNX and be done with it.
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 Emkay

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2783 on: November 20, 2015, 03:59:54 AM »
my pt is that none of the Israeli tourists will talk to u unless u speak Hebrew. Had a very awkward Friday night dinner surrounded by a bunch of people who had no interest in speaking to us

Koh Samui was a bit better plus nicer facility and ur at teh beach
I didn't have that experience. There was plenty of non Israelis and the Israelis did talk to us

Offline foseph

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2784 on: November 20, 2015, 08:26:48 AM »
I didn't have that experience. There was plenty of non Israelis and the Israelis did talk to us
i guess either we/u got unlucky/lucky. for lunch we sat with olim so that was fine. hung out with them shbbas in USM also. figured id make people aware.

Offline rileywiles23

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2785 on: November 20, 2015, 09:05:50 AM »

Leaving MS means you don't get to a tertiary city like until Monday afternoon at the earliest. And that's assuming you're leaving in the winter. Then, on the return, if you're lucky enough to fly ex-CNX on MS, the earliest you'd arrive in NYC (assuming that's where you're leaving from/departing to) is late Sunday afternoon.

Assuming you could do that, you'd have about 5 days on the ground (but be gone from NYC for 8). And that's if you hit the award ticket lotto with perfect timing. It could easily stretch into arriving on Tuesday in CNX and Monday on the return.

With that amount of time, I'd not try to dance at 2 wedding at the same time. Do CNX and be done with it.
Just saw this now. Funny thing is, my wife made the same chesbon last night, and we came to the same conclusion that you did. Thanks for the advice.
Life is as good as you make it...

Offline yo

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2786 on: November 24, 2015, 01:39:42 PM »
Does anyone know the nicest hotel walking distance to chabad on 96 Ram Buttri Rd., Khao San Road., Banglampu. 1.

Money doest matter. Just the nicest

Offline foseph

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2787 on: November 24, 2015, 01:48:33 PM »
Does anyone know the nicest hotel walking distance to chabad on 96 Ram Buttri Rd., Khao San Road., Banglampu. 1.

Money doest matter. Just the nicest
don't know if ts the"nicest" but the riva Surya was really nice and not even that pricey

Offline rileywiles23

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2788 on: December 01, 2015, 12:07:15 AM »
How much time do I need to get from the le meridian to CNX ?
Life is as good as you make it...

Offline D93

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2789 on: December 01, 2015, 12:29:45 AM »
How much time do I need to get from the le meridian to CNX ?

20 minutes.

Offline Mech

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2790 on: December 01, 2015, 12:38:48 AM »

How much time do I need to get from the le meridian to CNX ?
20 minutes.
Even less at night. Took me about 8 minutes.

Offline yo

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2791 on: December 01, 2015, 06:25:39 PM »
any suggestions for a nice place with a private pool in phuket not more than 30 minutes from chabad.

Offline Mech

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2792 on: December 01, 2015, 06:32:38 PM »

any suggestions for a nice place with a private pool in phuket not more than 30 minutes from chabad.
Most people on ddf have either gone to the Anantara or Pavillions. Both are amazing. I stayed in the Anantara and it definitely was my best hotel/ villa experience overall ever!

Offline yo

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2793 on: December 02, 2015, 11:29:40 AM »
There are 4 anantara hotels

Offline Mech

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Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2794 on: December 02, 2015, 12:11:50 PM »
There are 4 anantara hotels
Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas
http://phuket.anantara.com/
Jetsetter sometimes has great prices for this property.
The hotel also offers a 10,000 THB ($278 USD)  hotel credit for going on a 90 minute time share presentation at their sister hotel across the street. Make sure to reserve in advance.
« Last Edit: December 02, 2015, 12:21:41 PM by Mech »

Offline knowitall

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2795 on: December 08, 2015, 09:12:39 AM »
If anyone has chiang Rai/burma/laos questions feel free to PM

Offline Emkay

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2796 on: December 08, 2015, 09:36:01 AM »
If anyone has chiang Rai/burma/laos questions feel free to PM
How long were you in Laos and Burma for?

Offline shmebeble

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2797 on: December 10, 2015, 06:01:19 PM »
Who do I contact at CKS for the kosher meals (Diamond)?
Also I am staying there under someone elses account anyone have experience with this?

Offline Emkay

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2798 on: December 10, 2015, 06:21:20 PM »
Who do I contact at CKS for the kosher meals (Diamond)?
Also I am staying there under someone elses account anyone have experience with this?
What's CKS?

Offline benjie1305

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2799 on: December 10, 2015, 07:10:36 PM »
Work hard, Play harder!