Topic Wiki

Upcoming Trips                                                                        Trip Reports
Proisrael
Martyb
ayman
SLMYRCB
benjie1305
shwarmabob gang
CS91 & EJB
Shauly

EJB
SRM
1st week of February
2nd week of February
3rd week of February
1st & 2nd week of April
2nd & 3rd week of July
2nd & 3rd week of July
3rd & 4th week of August
4th week of August

3rd week of January
3rd & 4th week of March
Dan Part 1, Dan Part 2, ChikkyMonkey Part 1 , ChikkyMonkey Part 2, ChikkyMonkey Part 3,
Aussiebochur, ZCN, Brian, TAVI, world2see, zvmiester, Cbs, Yehoshua, AJK, rots5,
Knowitall, Suave, Marco Polo, morgs




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 732362 times)

Offline Wizmanison

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Dec 2016
  • Posts: 409
  • Total likes: 77
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Los Angeles
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4040 on: May 25, 2018, 05:10:37 AM »
Looking to land at 7:10am and depart 8:45am.
Do I ask them for the premium pass or will they offer it?
Is it different terminals connecting from international to a domestic flight?
Do ethihad and Thai  have an interline agreement?

If you need it they will give it to you but if you feel you need it then ask for it. I as well was transferring from Thai to Etihad. Don’t recall there being an inter line agreement. As for the terminals, you will land downstairs at basically the left end of the whole airport and will have to go upstairs like 4 floors (elevator or escalator) and then walk or run all the way to the right most side of the airport (a 2 minute run lol). If that description made no sense I apologize! Just writing it how I’m currently picturing it.

Offline moisheyb

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jan 2014
  • Posts: 988
  • Total likes: 34
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4041 on: May 25, 2018, 05:26:23 AM »
If you need it they will give it to you but if you feel you need it then ask for it. I as well was transferring from Thai to Etihad. Don’t recall there being an inter line agreement. As for the terminals, you will land downstairs at basically the left end of the whole airport and will have to go upstairs like 4 floors (elevator or escalator) and then walk or run all the way to the right most side of the airport (a 2 minute run lol). If that description made no sense I apologize! Just writing it how I’m currently picturing it.

I'm actually transferring from ethihad to Thai. Which airline gave you the pass?

Offline Wizmanison

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Dec 2016
  • Posts: 409
  • Total likes: 77
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Los Angeles
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4042 on: May 25, 2018, 05:28:23 AM »
I'm actually transferring from ethihad to Thai. Which airline gave you the pass?
Etihad

Offline moisheyb

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jan 2014
  • Posts: 988
  • Total likes: 34
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4043 on: May 25, 2018, 05:34:20 AM »
Etihad
So you got the pass when you checked in for your flight?
How long was security when you got off the Thai flight?

Offline Wizmanison

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Dec 2016
  • Posts: 409
  • Total likes: 77
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Los Angeles
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4044 on: May 25, 2018, 05:45:51 AM »
So you got the pass when you checked in for your flight?
How long was security when you got off the Thai flight?

No security just straight to baggage claim. It was from Chiang Mai

Offline moisheyb

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jan 2014
  • Posts: 988
  • Total likes: 34
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4045 on: May 25, 2018, 05:47:36 AM »
No security just straight to baggage claim. It was from Chiang Mai

Ok that's good to hear there's no security when transferring.

What hotel did you stay at in cnx?
Any recommendations or pointers?
Thank you for your assistance

Offline Wizmanison

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Dec 2016
  • Posts: 409
  • Total likes: 77
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Los Angeles
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4046 on: May 25, 2018, 05:56:57 AM »
Ok that's good to hear there's no security when transferring.

What hotel did you stay at in cnx?
Any recommendations or pointers?
Thank you for your assistance

LM was great! Chiang Mai was amazing. Chabbad was super friendly and food was good and reasonably priced. Yisroel, the travel agent, was really nice and helpful and I booked a driver with him for that same hour.  Let me know if your interested in getting a suit tailored as well!

For activities we did the classic Tiger Kingdom and Maesa Elephant camp. Both were great!

As you walk to chabbad from the LM you will see outdoor markets throughout. Visit them all as there are some cool stuff. Definitely take advantage of the super cheap massage prices. We pretty much got on for every night that we were in Thailand.

In CNX the recommended massage places are Green Bamboo (make reservation or check availability beforehand), White Orchid, and some others I can’t remember right now.

Offline moisheyb

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jan 2014
  • Posts: 988
  • Total likes: 34
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4047 on: May 25, 2018, 06:16:09 AM »
LM was great! Chiang Mai was amazing. Chabbad was super friendly and food was good and reasonably priced. Yisroel, the travel agent, was really nice and helpful and I booked a driver with him for that same hour.  Let me know if your interested in getting a suit tailored as well!

For activities we did the classic Tiger Kingdom and Maesa Elephant camp. Both were great!

As you walk to chabbad from the LM you will see outdoor markets throughout. Visit them all as there are some cool stuff. Definitely take advantage of the super cheap massage prices. We pretty much got on for every night that we were in Thailand.

In CNX the recommended massage places are Green Bamboo (make reservation or check availability beforehand), White Orchid, and some others I can’t remember right now.
How many nights did you spend there?
Im thinking either Thursday - Sunday or Monday.
Did you go to chabad over shabbos?
Were you in touch with Yisroel before you arrived?
I'm definitely interested in custom suits, how much was it per suit? Are you satisfied with them?
How much does a massage go for?
Did you by any chance also go to usm?

Offline Wizmanison

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Dec 2016
  • Posts: 409
  • Total likes: 77
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Los Angeles
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4048 on: May 25, 2018, 06:21:52 AM »
How many nights did you spend there?
Im thinking either Thursday - Sunday or Monday.
Did you go to chabad over shabbos?
Were you in touch with Yisroel before you arrived?
I'm definitely interested in custom suits, how much was it per suit? Are you satisfied with them?
How much does a massage go for?
Did you by any chance also go to usm?
I spent 3 nights in CNX, 2 nights in USM, 1 night in BKK and 1 day in HKT for the phi phi islands.

Shabbat was really nice there with like 200 people eating there that Friday night I was there.

No. I linked up with Yisroel the day I needed him.

Massages are like $7-10

Offline KidOOO

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Oct 2011
  • Posts: 1821
  • Total likes: 16
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: NY
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4049 on: May 27, 2018, 04:41:38 PM »
Looking to go to Thailand this summer 4 adults plus 1 infant... we want a villa with a private pool preferably on a beach for a decent price (sub $500/night) can anyone recommend where to start?

and how do Thailand beaches  compare to MLE / BOB

Online mochjas

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Oct 2015
  • Posts: 9699
  • Total likes: 1069
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 123
    • View Profile
  • Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium Elite, AA EX PLAT, Jetblue Mosaic, Qatar Gold, United Silver
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4050 on: May 27, 2018, 05:07:05 PM »
Looking to go to Thailand this summer 4 adults plus 1 infant... we want a villa with a private pool preferably on a beach for a decent price (sub $500/night) can anyone recommend where to start?

and how do Thailand beaches  compare to MLE / BOB
conrad Koh Samui
I was never in either BOB or MLE but from what I understand they do not compare
« Last Edit: May 27, 2018, 05:16:15 PM by mochjas »

Offline Wizmanison

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Dec 2016
  • Posts: 409
  • Total likes: 77
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Los Angeles
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4051 on: May 27, 2018, 05:13:17 PM »
conrad Kosh Samui
I was never in either BOB or MLE but from what I understand they do not compare
IMO Thailand and MLE do not compare. I did them both on the same trip a couple months ago and if you are looking for privacy and beautiful beach then MLE/BOB is your destination. Not sure if it’s possible for that many people at your $500 budget though...

Offline EJB

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Sep 2012
  • Posts: 5409
  • Total likes: 254
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 15
    • View Profile
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4052 on: May 27, 2018, 05:58:55 PM »
https://www.flickr.com/gp/26124790@N07/51C641

Conrad USM. Cost under$500 a night but gl finding it at that price.

Offline KidOOO

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Oct 2011
  • Posts: 1821
  • Total likes: 16
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: NY
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4053 on: May 28, 2018, 01:09:45 PM »
https://www.flickr.com/gp/26124790@N07/51C641

Conrad USM. Cost under$500 a night but gl finding it at that price.

Not bad - what size room was that? and how far is it from the beach?

Offline EJB

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Sep 2012
  • Posts: 5409
  • Total likes: 254
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 15
    • View Profile
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4054 on: May 28, 2018, 05:04:50 PM »
3br and near the top of the resort

Offline moisheyb

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jan 2014
  • Posts: 988
  • Total likes: 34
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4055 on: May 30, 2018, 04:55:06 AM »
Does anyone have a boating or charter company they would recommend from phuket to the phi phi islands?

Offline saw50st8

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Aug 2015
  • Posts: 334
  • Total likes: 130
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4056 on: May 30, 2018, 06:09:24 AM »
Does anyone have a boating or charter company they would recommend from phuket to the phi phi islands?

Private or group tours? We used Phuket Let's Go for our group tours and they were great. We didn't charter any private boats so I can't help you there.

Offline moisheyb

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jan 2014
  • Posts: 988
  • Total likes: 34
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4057 on: May 30, 2018, 06:17:24 AM »
Private or group tours? We used Phuket Let's Go for our group tours and they were great. We didn't charter any private boats so I can't help you there.

How much did you pay?
How many people were in the group?
Do you have contact info?

Offline saw50st8

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Aug 2015
  • Posts: 334
  • Total likes: 130
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4058 on: May 30, 2018, 06:26:48 AM »
http://phuketletsgo.com/tours/

We did the Phnagna Treasures Sunrise and the Sunrise Phi Phi Island (less crowds, it was great). We were 3 people.  They are really responsive on facebook, which was how I communicated with them - https://www.facebook.com/PhuketLetsGo/

Each tour was around 4000 THB, maybe a little less. They were around the same cost as the other tours.

Offline alummina1

  • DansDeals Copper Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Nov 2017
  • Posts: 3
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: nyc
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4059 on: June 03, 2018, 01:05:39 PM »
Does anyone else get major anxiety from planning trips!?

I'm wondering if anyone has stayed on Phi Phi Don itself rather than day trips and how they dealt with food if it was towards the end of their trip.

We are coming from Chiang Mai so I'm wondering if I can get meals from them frozen/freeze them?

I know there is a Chabad in PHuket, hoping to go from Airport to Ferry straight.

Other alternative is to spend Shabbat in Phuket (which probably wouldnt be near chabad anyway) and travel to Phi Phi early Sunday morning.

Anyone with experience?