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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 744343 times)

Offline AJK

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2360 on: May 21, 2015, 04:34:33 PM »
LM is booked because it's cheap, and upgrades to large executive corner suites are not terribly difficult to secure in advance.

If money is no object, the Shangri-La is definitely closer.
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 foseph

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2361 on: May 21, 2015, 05:14:11 PM »
LM is booked because it's cheap, and upgrades to large executive corner suites are not terribly difficult to secure in advance.

If money is no object, the Shangri-La is definitely closer.
we priced it out. the LM was only $30 cheaper per night, which wasn't enough to make us walk an extra 10-15 min in 95-110 degree weather. saw about the upgrade thing though.

the shangri-la is very nice and I'd your paying cash and want as close as possible then that's a great option. Make sure they are not still doing construction there before you book it. Also if you are booking revenue I have a corporate there that will bring it down to $100 a night I believe, not sure what regular price is
ill look into the construction. currently sitting at $160 a night so ill be happy to use the code if u wanna pm it to me or something.

Offline Emkay

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2362 on: May 21, 2015, 05:16:58 PM »


. currently sitting at $160 a night so ill be happy to use the code if u wanna pm it to me or something.
I'll send it shortly

Offline foseph

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2363 on: May 21, 2015, 05:36:16 PM »
I'll send it shortly
thank.
also
Quote from: someone on TA
There is some construction going on at by the pool that is quite noisy, but can't fault the Shangri-La for that. The manager said the construction should be complete by November 2015. The construction did not deter us and we spent many afternoons by the pool.
others said drinks are half-priced bc of  it and also cant hear from inside the hotel anyways.

Offline AJK

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2364 on: May 21, 2015, 05:45:13 PM »
we priced it out. the LM was only $30 cheaper per night, which wasn't enough to make us walk an extra 10-15 min in 95-110 degree weather. saw about the upgrade thing though.
ill look into the construction. currently sitting at $160 a night so ill be happy to use the code if u wanna pm it to me or something.

I meant cheap points wise. It's like 3k SPG per night.
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 foseph

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2365 on: May 21, 2015, 05:48:50 PM »
I meant cheap points wise. It's like 3k SPG per night.
oh ok yea have almost no pts at SPG and cant transfer UR to there.

Offline Hatastah

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2366 on: May 21, 2015, 07:43:22 PM »

will be there in late August. anyone got suggestions?
When in late August? I'm heading there too

Offline foseph

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2367 on: May 21, 2015, 11:05:34 PM »
When in late August? I'm heading there too
last two weeks.

Offline Emkay

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2368 on: May 22, 2015, 07:10:35 AM »
if anyone plans on staying by the shangri-la, you can PM me for a corporate code. the dates i tried cut the price almost in half

Offline steve L

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2369 on: May 27, 2015, 09:32:32 AM »
wanted to get peoples advice- im looking to go to thailand last week of july and have lets say 8-9 days (mon- wed) and was wondering if have enough time to stop in hong kong for a day or so or just split the time up to chaing mai and then koh samui?

i am aworried about trying to do too much in short time frame

Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2370 on: May 27, 2015, 11:44:39 AM »
wanted to get peoples advice- im looking to go to thailand last week of july and have lets say 8-9 days (mon- wed) and was wondering if have enough time to stop in hong kong for a day or so or just split the time up to chaing mai and then koh samui?

i am aworried about trying to do too much in short time frame
See my TR. I did just that (though could have used more time in USM).
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline morgs

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2371 on: May 27, 2015, 12:22:44 PM »
See my TR. I did just that (though could have used more time in USM).
+1 we did 3 in cnx and 3 in hkt (similar to usm) and 3 in HKG-plenty of time in all

Offline steve L

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2372 on: May 27, 2015, 01:43:15 PM »
See my TR. I did just that (though could have used more time in USM).

can you highlite your tr as not in wiki- also thats what im worried abt that enough time in usm which will be relaxing

Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2373 on: May 27, 2015, 01:45:25 PM »
can you highlite your tr as not in wiki- also thats what im worried abt that enough time in usm which will be relaxing
See here.How many days of relaxing are you looking to do?
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline steve L

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2374 on: May 27, 2015, 02:14:25 PM »
i would say 2-3 days

Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2375 on: May 27, 2015, 02:20:19 PM »
Still plenty of time to do what you want.
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline steve L

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2376 on: May 27, 2015, 02:23:17 PM »
thank you so much

Offline foseph

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2377 on: May 28, 2015, 09:57:23 AM »
See my TR. I did just that (though could have used more time in USM).
wanted to get peoples advice- im looking to go to thailand last week of july and have lets say 8-9 days (mon- wed) and was wondering if have enough time to stop in hong kong for a day or so or just split the time up to chaing mai and then koh samui?

i am aworried about trying to do too much in short time frame
funny how ur worried about 8-9 days and going to hong kong. im doing 12 days on the ground and were worried about that. were gonna be in USM for 5 days (including a shabbas). gotta get in some relaxing and some watersports too.

Offline steve L

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2378 on: May 28, 2015, 10:06:06 AM »
right- meaning it prob is wise to cut it out and just spend the time in cnx and usm - i land on tues and fly out wed morning

Offline foseph

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2379 on: May 28, 2015, 10:17:28 AM »
right- meaning it prob is wise to cut it out and just spend the time in cnx and usm - i land on tues and fly out wed morning
im no thailand master, but imo id go to bkk for a day since its there anyways and save hkg for a future trip to china/japan/southeast asia. thats what were planning but may be another 10-15 yrs before that happens.

then again were flying through eur bc no hkG/japan stopovers on united when we booked.