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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 732274 times)

Offline Z56

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3940 on: August 31, 2017, 01:37:33 AM »
Where is the best place to get a custom made suit in Chiang Mai?

I just used his and hers. I was very happy
“I have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for their lack of success. Great things come from hard work

Offline G11600

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3941 on: August 31, 2017, 01:50:39 AM »
I've read through the majority of posts and am super excited to go!
Sukkos in Thailand!
I need a little help planning the details.
It seems like the two main areas ppl spend time is in Ko Sumai and Chiang Mai. Both have chabads with a sukkah.
Since we will probably land in hong kong is it worth spending first days there vs chiang mai?
where should we spend chol hamoed and second days?
since I can book my tickets w free stop overs planning is essential.
thanks!
Weather in Koh Samui is very bad in October, middle of monsoon. Suggest you recheck. May be better to go to Phuket instead (flights there are also cheaper)

Offline ad120

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3942 on: August 31, 2017, 02:16:17 AM »
I just used his and hers. I was very happy
how long ago? How was the customer service? what did you pay and how is the quality?

Offline Z56

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3943 on: August 31, 2017, 03:04:30 AM »
how long ago? How was the customer service? what did you pay and how is the quality?

3 weeks ago
“I have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for their lack of success. Great things come from hard work

Offline Theg

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3944 on: August 31, 2017, 09:00:05 AM »
Where is the best place to get a custom made suit in Chiang Mai?
I  used CM Tailer. I made a suit and few shirts. I was very  happy with them. Quality and service is amazing. They came to my hotel to deliver and didn't like something small they took it back and returned hour later. I paid 12000bht for a suit and 4 shirts, that's about $350.

Offline blue eyes

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3945 on: August 31, 2017, 10:54:08 AM »
Weather in Koh Samui is very bad in October, middle of monsoon. Suggest you recheck. May be better to go to Phuket instead (flights there are also cheaper)

 Does  Phuket  have a chabad?
Chiang Mai supposed to b nice weather. Is all of yom tov too long?

Offline moish

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3946 on: August 31, 2017, 11:30:36 AM »

Offline rileywiles23

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3947 on: August 31, 2017, 06:33:04 PM »
Be careful at the Conrad as they opened our stuff a bunch of times when heating it up. Even after specifically being told not to. Their understanding of English isn't that great.

I suggest going to Chabad koh samui the first day you are there and placing the order with them and instruct them how to wrap. While you are waiting for the order you can have lunch in their pizza shop.

Every free breakfast I got from Chabad that was straight from the hotel wasnt sealed and I couldn't eat it. The chef lives near Chabad so he picks it up on his way in. Luckily they have tons of fruit in their breakfast which I was able to take from.
Come to think of it. I just realized I might have had the same issue with on of my breakfast as well. Surprised they don't know this by now already
Life is as good as you make it...

Offline ad120

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3948 on: September 01, 2017, 12:53:38 PM »
I  used CM Tailer. I made a suit and few shirts. I was very  happy with them. Quality and service is amazing. They came to my hotel to deliver and didn't like something small they took it back and returned hour later. I paid 12000bht for a suit and 4 shirts, that's about $350.
Im looking to pay about 2700 BHT

Offline ad120

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3949 on: September 01, 2017, 12:55:09 PM »
3 weeks ago
How much did you pay?
From their site it seems like they have a very small selection of fabrics and styles. Is that the case?

Offline mochjas

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3950 on: September 01, 2017, 01:14:25 PM »
Come to think of it. I just realized I might have had the same issue with on of my breakfast as well. Surprised they don't know this by now already
I was there 4 days, every day I told him the same thing and he never got it right. I guess they dont understand English so well.

Offline Denverite

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3951 on: September 03, 2017, 04:28:37 PM »
I was there 4 days, every day I told him the same thing and he never got it right. I guess they dont understand English so well.

So I booked someone into the Conrad KS that checked in today and he said that there is actually a Jewish wedding there tonight and when he went to check in they thought he was the Rabbi!  ;D

Anyway, long story short, he ended up speaking with the General Manager, who remembered him from when he helped him with his kosher food during his stay in the Maldives, they discussed kashrut issues, how people were worried about their meals getting opened there, etc. and he said they had a whole training for all the staff two weeks ago to try to teach them about Kashrut.  I thought this was cool on a lot of levels (one being I'm glad they are actually getting revenue kosher bookings and weddings and not just us...lol) and since he's not a big poster on the forums and is currently enjoying his private pool and time with his DW, I thought I'd post it for you guys.  Maybe anyone going in the next few months can let us know if they are better about not opening kosher meals but hopefully doing actual kosher events and having the training will help!
« Last Edit: September 03, 2017, 05:20:00 PM by Denverite »

Offline EJB

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3952 on: September 03, 2017, 04:39:45 PM »
So I booked someone into the Conrad KS that checked in today and he said that there is actually a Jewish wedding there tonight and when he went to check in they thought he was the Rabbi!  ;D

Anyway, long story short, he ended up speaking with the General Manager, who remembered him from when he helped him with his kosher food during his stay in the Maldives, they discussed kashrut issues, how people were worried about their meals getting opened there, etc. and he said they had a whole training for all the staff two weeks ago to try to teach them about Kashrut.  I thought this was cool on a lot of levels (one being I'm glad they are actually getting revenue kosher bookings and weddings and not just us...lol) and since he's not a big poster on the forums and is currently enjoying his private pool and time with his DH, I thought I'd post it for you guys.  Maybe anyone going in the next few months can let us know if they are better about not opening kosher meals but hopefully doing actual kosher events and having the training will help!
With his DH???

Offline Denverite

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3953 on: September 03, 2017, 05:20:47 PM »
With his DH???

Fixed it, I'm not used to writing for someone else  :P

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3954 on: September 04, 2017, 01:20:47 AM »
So far Ive got flights in and out of hong kong. Still unsure how to figure out yt itself. First days is still up on in the air. Debating between chaing Mai and perhaps Bangkok. Any recommendation?
Chol Hamoed I'd like to make a stop for a day or so in Ko Sumai and then spend second days in Phuket.
I noticed the inter Thai Airlines all charge hefty baggage fees. Can we omit Ko Sumai if were going to Phuket?

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3955 on: September 04, 2017, 05:45:35 AM »
So far Ive got flights in and out of hong kong. Still unsure how to figure out yt itself. First days is still up on in the air. Debating between chaing Mai and perhaps Bangkok. Any recommendation?
Chol Hamoed I'd like to make a stop for a day or so in Ko Sumai and then spend second days in Phuket.
I noticed the inter Thai Airlines all charge hefty baggage fees. Can we omit Ko Sumai if were going to Phuket?
Fly Bankok air. They include 20kg of free baggage per person and if you join their mileage program for free, you get another 10kg per person.

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3956 on: September 04, 2017, 08:40:15 AM »
Does  Phuket  have a chabad?
You are in luck.

Seven-Story Thailand Chabad Opens Doors for High Holidays
Source

"In 2016 alone, some 10,400 Shabbat meals were served and an additional 27,000 meals eaten at Chabad’s kosher restaurant.

To accommodate its burgeoning operation, ground was broken in August 2015 for a new building that includes a mikvah, a sanctuary with room for 300 worshippers, a restaurant with seating for 200, a social hall with seating for 400 and a rooftop chuppah. Also in the works are residences for Rabbi Menachem Mendel and Miriam Segal, who co-direct Chabad of Phuket, as well as visiting rabbinical students who assist them in their work.

It is estimated that the new center will serve upwards of 500 visitors a day.

The seven-story, 26,000-square-foot facility was inaugurated on Aug. 27—just weeks before the start of the High Holidays"


Rabbi Yosef C. Kantor in the new synagogue, which can accommodate 300 worshippers.


The new facility includes a luxurious mikvah.


The open rooftop, high above Phuket, will be used for weddings, a communal sukkah and other special events.


The resturant area can seat as many as 200 people.

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Offline blue eyes

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3957 on: September 04, 2017, 11:08:43 AM »
Wow! Thats great!
Are the other chabads as established?

Offline Z56

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3958 on: September 04, 2017, 03:10:04 PM »
Wow! Thats great!
Are the other chabads as established?

Nope
“I have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for their lack of success. Great things come from hard work

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3959 on: September 30, 2017, 11:01:11 PM »
Anyone have a good driver recommendation in bagkok?