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 732352 times)

Offline Marco Polo

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 13121
  • Total likes: 49
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 104
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2180 on: February 05, 2015, 09:14:37 AM »
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline Emkay

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 14295
  • Total likes: 376
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 35
    • View Profile
  • Location: Where I ought to be
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2181 on: February 05, 2015, 09:17:50 AM »
Bangkok Air.
I still probably take them on the return but on one way I would like to see Bangkok at little so I will be leaving from the other airport,  And also PG flights are $60 each while this is $8

Offline Drago

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 8388
  • Total likes: 74
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 18
    • View Profile
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2182 on: February 05, 2015, 09:32:42 AM »
I plan on giving myself 6 hours.
What sale?

http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2013/03/26/deep-discount-award-tickets-for-flying-around-southeast-asia/

I still probably take them on the return but on one way I would like to see Bangkok at little so I will be leaving from the other airport,  And also PG flights are $60 each while this is $8
Driving btw airports isn't 'seeing bangkok'. It's seeing traffic which you could do just as easily by driving to TLV in the morning.

Offline AJK

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 20K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 25419
  • Total likes: 721
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 15
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Programs: United Concierge Key; Delta Global Services; American Chairman; US Airways 1K; Hilton Sapphire; Hyatt Tritium; Marriott Californium; Starwood Kryptonium; Hertz Plutonium; National Adamantium, Avis Executive Proactanium
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2183 on: February 05, 2015, 09:34:06 AM »
Driving btw airports isn't 'seeing bangkok'. It's seeing traffic which you could do just as easily by driving to TLV in the morning.

Lol
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

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 14295
  • Total likes: 376
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 35
    • View Profile
  • Location: Where I ought to be
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2184 on: February 05, 2015, 09:35:07 AM »


Driving btw airports isn't 'seeing bangkok'. It's seeing traffic which you could do just as easily by driving to TLV in the morning.

I plan on hiring a driver for 6 hours and stopping by different places slowly needing my way to the other airport

Offline Emkay

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 14295
  • Total likes: 376
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 35
    • View Profile
  • Location: Where I ought to be
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2185 on: February 05, 2015, 09:38:39 AM »
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2013/03/26/deep-discount-award-tickets-for-flying-around-southeast-asia/
Driving btw airports isn't 'seeing bangkok'. It's seeing traffic which you could do just as easily by driving to TLV in the morning.
Seems like that promo was only until Dec 2013

Online SOS

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Apr 2014
  • Posts: 792
  • Total likes: 48
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Programs: SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Avis First, Hertz Five Star, National Executive
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2186 on: February 05, 2015, 06:26:19 PM »
I just read thru this whole thread, and am thinking of going to cnx after succos (ie nyc - tlv - cnx - nyc for 140k ua if I book during the discounted ua awards)
I wanted to add either usm or hkt, is it monsoon season then?
If I dont go to the cks than should I just go to hkt?

Offline Marco Polo

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 13121
  • Total likes: 49
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 104
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2187 on: February 05, 2015, 11:08:35 PM »
I just read thru this whole thread, and am thinking of going to cnx after succos (ie nyc - tlv - cnx - nyc for 140k ua if I book during the discounted ua awards)
I wanted to add either usm or hkt, is it monsoon season then?
If I dont go to the cks than should I just go to hkt?
Don't have specific experience, but looks like there are nice hotels in USM. Though the CKS is amazing!
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline rots5

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 7996
  • Total likes: 27
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 17
    • View Profile
    • Custom Cakes for Every Occassion
  • Location: Monsey
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2188 on: February 05, 2015, 11:10:43 PM »
#BruceJenner
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline Drago

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 8388
  • Total likes: 74
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 18
    • View Profile
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2189 on: February 07, 2015, 03:02:11 PM »
Seems like that promo was only until Dec 2013
It's been reupped each time since. I was too lazy to search for the most recent post he has abt it.

Offline Emkay

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 14295
  • Total likes: 376
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 35
    • View Profile
  • Location: Where I ought to be
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2190 on: February 07, 2015, 03:29:30 PM »
It's been reupped each time since. I was too lazy to search for the most recent post he has abt it.
got it. found it, http://www.jal.co.jp/121campaign/pg_discount/index_en.html
anyways it doesn't turn out worth it since between the 5000 miles plus fuel surcharge it still comes out more than the $35 i ended up paying for that segment on the same airline

Offline Emkay

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 14295
  • Total likes: 376
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 35
    • View Profile
  • Location: Where I ought to be
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2191 on: February 08, 2015, 04:22:01 AM »
I was offered to get complimentary access to the TG F lounge in BKK with a confirmed 1 hour massage, the only catch is that I would not be able to have my stroller but I would have my 4 month old.
Worth it?

Offline Drago

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 8388
  • Total likes: 74
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 18
    • View Profile
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2192 on: February 08, 2015, 04:50:33 AM »
I was offered to get complimentary access to the TG F lounge in BKK with a confirmed 1 hour massage, the only catch is that I would not be able to have my stroller but I would have my 4 month old.
Worth it?

Ask your wife, as she'd have to hold the baby as you get massaged.

Offline Emkay

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 14295
  • Total likes: 376
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 35
    • View Profile
  • Location: Where I ought to be
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2193 on: February 08, 2015, 04:58:47 AM »
Ask your wife, as she'd have to hold the baby as you get massaged.
She would also get one.  While I'm there is not really an issue as my kid is perfectly content sitting on a couch.  It's the transit around the airport that might get annoying

Offline Drago

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 8388
  • Total likes: 74
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 18
    • View Profile
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2194 on: February 08, 2015, 05:01:47 AM »
She would also get one.  While I'm there is not really an issue as my kid is perfectly content sitting on a couch.  It's the transit around the airport that might get annoying
You can't give it to the chk in counter in the lounge to watch for you?

Offline Emkay

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 14295
  • Total likes: 376
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 35
    • View Profile
  • Location: Where I ought to be
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2195 on: February 08, 2015, 05:04:18 AM »
You can't give it to the chk in counter in the lounge to watch for you?
I'm not entirely sure if that was a joke. 
But if not, that still doesn't help me for the transit around the airport

Offline Emkay

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 14295
  • Total likes: 376
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 35
    • View Profile
  • Location: Where I ought to be
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2196 on: February 15, 2015, 11:29:18 AM »
Darn!! http://thainews.prd.go.th/CenterWeb/NewsEN/NewsDetail?NT01_NewsID=WNEVN5802150010004

has anyone been in chiang mai in march? is it really as bad as they make it regarding the smoke and air pollution? i have a trip planned for this march and this is the first im hearing of this, is there somewhere else in Thailand worth going with a baby?
« Last Edit: February 15, 2015, 11:33:47 AM by Emkay »

Offline jaywhy

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Sep 2012
  • Posts: 3767
  • Total likes: 68
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 7
    • View Profile
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2197 on: February 15, 2015, 11:58:15 AM »
I was there in January and the air was fine.
IMO, the air in HKG was much worse.

Offline Emkay

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 14295
  • Total likes: 376
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 35
    • View Profile
  • Location: Where I ought to be
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2198 on: February 15, 2015, 12:16:00 PM »
I was there in January and the air was fine.
IMO, the air in HKG was much worse.
January is supposed to be very nice, I'm referring specifically to march
« Last Edit: February 15, 2015, 12:43:48 PM by Emkay »

Offline Marco Polo

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 13121
  • Total likes: 49
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 104
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2199 on: February 15, 2015, 03:08:47 PM »
Darn!! http://thainews.prd.go.th/CenterWeb/NewsEN/NewsDetail?NT01_NewsID=WNEVN5802150010004

has anyone been in chiang mai in march? is it really as bad as they make it regarding the smoke and air pollution? i have a trip planned for this march and this is the first im hearing of this, is there somewhere else in Thailand worth going with a baby?
I was there in March/April this past year. I completely understand why people wear masks in the country, it looks like a permanent fog over the city. At night it was very thick, but otherwise it wasn't bad. If i would be there for a couple of weeks, i would think f wearing a mask, otherwise, not a big deal.
Quaerite et Invenietis.