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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 732339 times)

Offline D93

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2840 on: December 16, 2015, 09:48:30 AM »
For some reason the EY partner award chart for Bangkok Airlines doesn't include their CNX-USM flight.
Anyone here ever book it with EY miles? (PUTPAC, I know that, maybe later)
Next best option for reaching USM from CNX?
Cheap paid flight.
That route isn't so cheap.
You can use 5k JAL, or 10k Flying Blue (also can book with CX and AB).

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2841 on: December 16, 2015, 11:56:50 AM »
Is baangchang elephant park the one to see?
On their website it seems to cost a lot of money, but if I book through tripadvisor its only $83 a person.

Offline Emkay

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2842 on: December 16, 2015, 11:58:33 AM »
Is baangchang elephant park the one to see?
On their website it seems to cost a lot of money, but if I book through tripadvisor its only $83 a person.
That seems like a lot. What are you looking to do?

Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2843 on: December 16, 2015, 12:01:57 PM »
Is baangchang elephant park the one to see?
On their website it seems to cost a lot of money, but if I book through tripadvisor its only $83 a person.
That sounds like a lot more than I paid. Check out Maesa elephant camp.
Quaerite et Invenietis.

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2844 on: December 16, 2015, 12:02:48 PM »
That seems like a lot. What are you looking to do?
The full day elephant experience. pretty sure @D93 did that one.

Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2845 on: December 16, 2015, 12:04:01 PM »
Could be. I didn't do a full day which is likely why I remember it being cheaper.
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline Emkay

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2846 on: December 16, 2015, 12:09:31 PM »


Is baangchang elephant park the one to see?

What made you pick that place? Its not a show,rather a elephant experience. Most here did not do that.

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2847 on: December 16, 2015, 12:11:31 PM »
What made you pick that place? Its not a show,rather a elephant experience. Most here did not do that.
Right now I'm interested in the experience. Whatever works for each person.

Offline Emkay

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2848 on: December 16, 2015, 12:13:09 PM »
Right now I'm interested in the experience. Whatever works for each person.
I also did an experience but paid significantly less

Offline Mech

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2849 on: December 16, 2015, 12:13:40 PM »

Is baangchang elephant park the one to see?
On their website it seems to cost a lot of money, but if I book through tripadvisor its only $83 a person.
Yes. That one is amazing!!
Are you looking to do the full day camp or half a day? I did half a day and iirc I paid $45 pp including transportation, which I booked thru Yisroel. This was my wife's favorite activity of our 2 week trip!

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2850 on: December 16, 2015, 12:13:45 PM »
I also did an experience but paid significantly less
Which place? and was it good?

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2851 on: December 16, 2015, 12:14:16 PM »
Yes. That one is amazing!!
Are you looking to do the full day camp or half a day? I did half a day and iirc I paid $45 pp including transportation, which I booked thru Yisroel. This was my wife's favorite activity of our 2 week trip!
Thanks.
I'll contact him. The half day sufficed?
It appears they only have a full-day option....

Offline Mech

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2852 on: December 16, 2015, 12:16:30 PM »

That sounds like a lot more than I paid. Check out Maesa elephant camp.
The Mae Sae elephant is a short elephant show with an option to ride with the elephants. Nothing in comparison to Baangchang Paradise
The full day elephant experience. pretty sure @D93 did that one.
Yes he did.
What made you pick that place? Its not a show,rather a elephant experience. Most here did not do that.
If you didn't do this, you missed out on the real Elephant experience.

Offline Mech

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2853 on: December 16, 2015, 12:17:40 PM »

Thanks.
I'll contact him. The half day sufficed?
It appears they only have a full-day option....
Half day was perfect. It even shows on their website the half a day option. http://www.baanchangparadise.com/

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2854 on: December 16, 2015, 12:19:38 PM »
Half day was perfect. It even shows on their website the half a day option. http://www.baanchangparadise.com/
Thanks. Should I only do a half?

Offline Emkay

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2855 on: December 16, 2015, 12:21:16 PM »
Which place? and was it good?
Don't remember offhand. I'll check, I slept there also

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Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2856 on: December 16, 2015, 12:23:06 PM »
Thanks. Should I only do a half?
We were fine with just half a day. iirc, AJK and the Mrs did a full day.

Offline D93

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2857 on: December 16, 2015, 01:02:25 PM »
Is baangchang elephant park the one to see?
On their website it seems to cost a lot of money, but if I book through tripadvisor its only $83 a person.

Yes, that's the one, go for it, it's worth every penny (I did the half day).
BaangChang is real elephant camp (bareback riding, cleaning, feeding etc) and not just a show like Mae Sae.
« Last Edit: December 16, 2015, 01:25:41 PM by D93 »

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2858 on: December 16, 2015, 01:16:44 PM »

Yes, that's the one, go for it, it's worth every penny (I did the half day).
BaangChang is real elephant camp (Bear back riding, cleaning, feeding etc) and not just a show like Mae Sae.

+1. We had a great time.

We didn't have reservations, showed up at 669 around 11am and were able to make arrangements to go that afternoon

Offline D93

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #2859 on: December 16, 2015, 01:18:31 PM »
+1. We had a great time.

We didn't have reservations, showed up at 669 around 11am and were able to make arrangements to go that afternoon

Same here - showed up to 669 at night and made arrangements to go the next morning.