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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 751091 times)

Offline D93

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3140 on: February 18, 2016, 06:18:07 PM »
Le Meridian CNX going from Cat 2 to 3

When?

Offline mochjas

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3141 on: February 18, 2016, 06:18:53 PM »

Offline Emkay

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3142 on: February 18, 2016, 06:18:55 PM »

Offline D93

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3143 on: February 18, 2016, 06:18:58 PM »
Bummer.

At least it'll be 5th night free now.

Offline D93

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3144 on: February 18, 2016, 06:19:23 PM »

Offline Emkay

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3145 on: February 18, 2016, 06:45:21 PM »
Any other properties going up/down?
Yes, there's a thread now about it

Offline Aaaron

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3146 on: February 18, 2016, 06:48:52 PM »
3/1

Can I book now at Cat 2 rates for later this year?  #newbiequestion

Offline D93

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3147 on: February 18, 2016, 06:54:10 PM »
Yes, there's a thread now about it

Thanks

Offline D93

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3148 on: February 18, 2016, 06:54:24 PM »
Can I book now at Cat 2 rates for later this year?  #newbiequestion

Yes

Offline CS91

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3149 on: February 18, 2016, 07:03:26 PM »
Yes
Does the 5th night benefit outweigh the higher rate? Meaning, if you're staying 5 nights, which way is cheaper - pre 3/1 or post?

ETA: Never mind. See the difference.
« Last Edit: February 18, 2016, 07:20:11 PM by CS91 »

Offline Aaaron

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3150 on: February 18, 2016, 07:18:45 PM »
Yes

Figured, and just saw on the MS post. Thanks.

Offline yitzyul

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3151 on: February 19, 2016, 12:30:58 AM »
I paid around $25 for a full day in an SUV and I'm pretty sure he used almost half on gas

Just whatsapp Yisorel and he told me his name is Dana…lol and he wants $50 for the day.
Negotiable or find someone else?

Offline D93

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3152 on: February 19, 2016, 01:03:08 AM »
Just whatsapp Yisorel and he told me his name is Dana…lol and he wants $50 for the day.
Negotiable or find someone else?

That's expensive.

Offline Emkay

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3153 on: February 19, 2016, 02:10:52 AM »
Just whatsapp Yisorel and he told me his name is Dana…lol and he wants $50 for the day.
Negotiable or find someone else?
Very simple to find cheaper

Offline ayman

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3154 on: February 19, 2016, 02:40:25 AM »
We went with tzippy through Yisroel. Very pleased. Had a great time. Paid approx 35. A little more than others...
Buy discounted gift cards from me.
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Offline SLMYRCB

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3155 on: February 19, 2016, 04:10:22 AM »
We went with tzippy through Yisroel. Very pleased. Had a great time. Paid approx 35. A little more than others...
Clean, non-smelly car?

Offline Proisrael

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3156 on: February 19, 2016, 12:28:56 PM »
Clean, non-smelly car?

I used Yisroel in Chiang Mai. very clean and english speaking driver. paid 15$ for the day.

Offline shauly

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3157 on: February 24, 2016, 02:37:16 AM »
Right now I have a flight booked into Thailand for a few months from now that gets into CNX on a Tuesday night. I'm sure I'll end up changing the flights, but for now, how long should I stay? It's going to be a short trip. I'll probably go to HKG afterwards, and fly back to NY from there.

Offline D93

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3158 on: February 24, 2016, 02:45:45 AM »
Right now I have a flight booked into Thailand for a few months from now that gets into CNX on a Tuesday night. I'm sure I'll end up changing the flights, but for now, how long should I stay? It's going to be a short trip. I'll probably go to HKG afterwards, and fly back to NY from there.

Until Saturday night/Sunday morning, then go to USM for 3 days.

Offline shauly

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3159 on: February 24, 2016, 04:36:09 AM »
Until Saturday night/Sunday morning, then go to USM for 3 days.

And let's say I manage to switch to the Saturday night flight and get into CNX Monday morning, would that change your recommendation? I don't think I have enough time to do the full week in CNX and then 3 days in USM. I could go to USM first for Monday Tuesday Wednesday, and then CNX for Shabbos and leave Sunday.