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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 859452 times)

Offline IsraelGuy

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3120 on: February 15, 2016, 04:23:42 PM »
I remember seeing they have a private transfer option- don't remember the exact cost, and while it was expensive I don't remember it being crazy. Taking a cab would probably be cheaper

Offline yitzyul

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3121 on: February 15, 2016, 04:35:51 PM »
Not sure what you mean by "scamming" you but the Israeli tour guy there can arrange one for you

Someone to take me around and not trying to convince me to go to "his tours" or that its "closed , and all type of made up fees.

Offline shmebeble

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3122 on: February 15, 2016, 04:47:49 PM »
Someone to take me around and not trying to convince me to go to "his tours" or that its "closed , and all type of made up fees.
the Israeli guy will give you a guide for 1200 Baht. No pushing and will wait for you wherever and drive wherever.

Offline D93

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3123 on: February 15, 2016, 04:51:17 PM »
In USM Im kinda afraid to drive (esp with wrong side of the street) so I guess Ill stick with taxis.

Just rent a moped and have fun :)

Offline shmebeble

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3124 on: February 15, 2016, 04:52:23 PM »
Just rent a moped and have fun :)
-1. dont put your life on the line. just check stats for # of people who get killed  a year there.  :-[

Offline D93

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3125 on: February 15, 2016, 04:53:32 PM »
-1. dont put your life on the line. just check stats for # of people who get killed  a year there.  :-[

I didn't feel that my life was on the line in the slightest. It's no worse than driving a moped in Jerusalem.

Offline benjie1305

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3126 on: February 15, 2016, 04:57:04 PM »
I didn't feel that my life was on the line in the slightest. It's no worse than driving a moped in Jerusalem.

Lol. That's the reason it didn't feel life-threatening.  ;D
Work hard, Play harder!

Offline D93

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3127 on: February 15, 2016, 04:57:56 PM »
Lol. That's the reason it didn't feel life-threatening.  ;D

And as if a tuk-tuk in CNX is any safer....

Offline benjie1305

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3128 on: February 15, 2016, 05:00:43 PM »
And as if a tuk-tuk in CNX is any safer....

Wait until you get to India...


GIFSoup
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Offline shmebeble

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3129 on: February 15, 2016, 05:02:39 PM »
And as if a tuk-tuk in CNX is any safer....
at least a local is in control ;)

Offline D93

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3130 on: February 15, 2016, 05:06:19 PM »
Wait until you get to India...


GIFSoup

Wow! That looks like fun  ;D

Offline yitzyul

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3131 on: February 15, 2016, 05:16:13 PM »
the Israeli guy will give you a guide for 1200 Baht. No pushing and will wait for you wherever and drive wherever.

A tuk tuk or a reg car?
Israeli Guy as in Yisroel form a few pages back?

Offline shmebeble

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3132 on: February 15, 2016, 05:16:56 PM »
A tuk tuk or a reg car?
a great leather SUV with a ton of AC
and a really nice guide

he also sent her to pick us up from airport for free. small perk

yes yisroel

Offline yitzyul

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3133 on: February 15, 2016, 11:36:15 PM »
a great leather SUV with a ton of AC
and a really nice guide

he also sent her to pick us up from airport for free. small perk

yes yisroel

Sheesh all for $33 a day?? How much is gas in Thailand? -$1?..lol

Thanks

Offline Emkay

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3134 on: February 16, 2016, 12:57:11 AM »
Sheesh all for $33 a day?? How much is gas in Thailand? -$1?..lol

Thanks
I paid around $25 for a full day in an SUV and I'm pretty sure he used almost half on gas

Offline AJK

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3135 on: February 16, 2016, 10:09:53 AM »
KS was the craziest driving I've ever experienced. Not only are you on the wrong side of the road but toss in people and dogs within inches of the car and mopeds everywhere, if I could go back I'd avoid it.
I kinda enjoyed driving in USM. But then again I'm an adrenaline junkie. USM wasn't as bad as DPS IME.
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 IsraelGuy

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3136 on: February 16, 2016, 10:44:14 AM »

I kinda enjoyed driving in USM. But then again I'm an adrenaline junkie. USM wasn't as bad as DPS IME.

Good to know.

I don't mind adrenaline, just not when I feel actually unsafe, which is how Thailand made me feel.

Could have been partially because it was my first time on the left- hopefully next time in NZ will be much more calming

Offline yitzyul

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3137 on: February 16, 2016, 05:36:01 PM »

Anybody stayed in Vana Bella, is it worth so many points?

SPG 40K a night or reg cost of $475 ($550 with tax) Yikes!
only worth for maybe the 5th night free?

Offline Emkay

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3138 on: February 18, 2016, 06:09:17 PM »
Le Meridian CNX going from Cat 2 to 3

Offline benjie1305

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3139 on: February 18, 2016, 06:10:02 PM »

Le Meridian CNX going from Cat 2 to 3

Bummer.
Work hard, Play harder!