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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 751074 times)

Offline sammy n

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3280 on: March 28, 2016, 09:20:03 AM »
Thanks. So basically 2 adults and 1 lap infant are entitled to 3 checked bags - 10kg, 30 kg and 30kg (assuming FlyerBonus number added).
Correct.

Offline CS91

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Offline shwarmabob

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3282 on: March 28, 2016, 03:18:30 PM »
How is the area in Chabad's vicinity in Ko Samui? I would like to stay within walking distance for Shabbos, but if it is a party area at night, then maybe better to avoid it.

and another inquiry: using the JAL PG promotion does a stopover break the ticket into two?
In other words: is SIN-USM-BKK 912 mi = 5000 JAL miles?
or SIN-USM = 5000 JAL miles
+ USM-BKK = 5000 JAL miles
total 10000 JAL miles ?
pardon my inarticulateness
« Last Edit: March 28, 2016, 04:20:49 PM by shwarmabob »

Offline Feivish

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3283 on: March 28, 2016, 06:29:29 PM »
How is the area in Chabad's vicinity in Ko Samui? I would like to stay within walking distance for Shabbos, but if it is a party area at night, then maybe better to avoid it.

and another inquiry: using the JAL PG promotion does a stopover break the ticket into two?
In other words: is SIN-USM-BKK 912 mi = 5000 JAL miles?
or SIN-USM = 5000 JAL miles
+ USM-BKK = 5000 JAL miles
total 10000 JAL miles ?
pardon my inarticulateness
Chaweng Beach is indeed a party area and I wouldn't recommend staying there over shabbos. However there are 2 SPG properties outside of chaweng within 30 minute walking distance.

5k AFAIK.

Offline CS91

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3284 on: March 28, 2016, 06:31:33 PM »
5k AFAIK.
Yup. Distance based award chart. Stopovers don't impact anything.

Offline shwarmabob

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3285 on: March 29, 2016, 09:27:02 AM »
Yup. Distance based award chart. Stopovers don't impact anything.
stopovers can be many days correct? How much does jal charges for date change later (if necessary)?
(I am still amazed ... 8)

Offline SLMYRCB

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3286 on: March 29, 2016, 09:29:33 AM »
stopovers can be many days correct? How much does jal charges for date change later (if necessary)?
(I am still amazed ... 8)
"12:00 noon (*2), two days prior to the date of departure (of the old or new itinerary, whichever is earlier) (counting from one day before the departure date)."
here
« Last Edit: March 29, 2016, 09:39:26 AM by SLMYRCB »

Offline CS91

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3287 on: March 29, 2016, 09:35:50 AM »
stopovers can be many days correct?
Correct.

Offline yitzyul

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3288 on: March 29, 2016, 05:32:08 PM »
How is the area in Chabad's vicinity in Ko Samui? I would like to stay within walking distance for Shabbos, but if it is a party area at night, then maybe better to avoid it.

I stayed about 30 min from Chabad (Vana Belle) and the walk was actually nice. Some of the hotels in the immediate vicinity are more like 2 or 3 stars. The chabad house is PACKED Friday night for Shabbos meal so no guarantee you will get a seat. (I believe they offer another meal a few hours later as well)  You can Google directions from Vana Belle to Chabad (Chabad actually pops right up in Hebrew as well) to see the area I stayed in and that directions is not very party area and a nice safe walk. (if you don't mind walking by roasting whole pigs etc..lol)

Offline yitzyul

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3289 on: March 29, 2016, 05:34:11 PM »
Should be.
Is it doable? yes. But super risky with traffic, and if you have luggage to drop off sometimes the lines to check in can take a long time, so do that first and if goes quickly I think you will be fine!

Offline beachbachur

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3290 on: March 30, 2016, 12:40:26 AM »
im planning on going next week to kul sin bkk and cnx should i be nervous about dengue fever?

Offline shwarmabob

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3291 on: March 30, 2016, 03:10:05 PM »
im planning on going next week to kul sin bkk and cnx should i be nervous about dengue fever?
Being nervous ain't going to help you. Use mosquito repellent in CNX, the other places should be fine.

Offline Aaaron

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3292 on: March 30, 2016, 04:09:33 PM »
LM CM vs Shangri-La? 

I booked 4 nights at the LM at the old rate but my buddy didn't get it in time.  I have the Prestige so we'd only be paying for 3 nights if we switch.  Is there any clear winner?

Offline SLMYRCB

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3293 on: March 30, 2016, 04:15:23 PM »
LM CM vs Shangri-La? 

I booked 4 nights at the LM at the old rate but my buddy didn't get it in time.  I have the Prestige so we'd only be paying for 3 nights if we switch.  Is there any clear winner?
Shangri-la is definitely nicer but the LM for 12-16k is a joke. Why pay $$$???

Offline Aaaron

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3294 on: March 30, 2016, 04:17:30 PM »
Shangri-la is definitely nicer but the LM for 12-16k is a joke. Why pay $$$???

To keep my buddy happy.  He's gonna have to pay one way or the other; cash-wise the prices are comparable.  (And it was 14k)

Offline Hatikvah

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3295 on: March 30, 2016, 04:30:38 PM »
Stay at the Verticolor. Its cheap and very nice. Maybe a 10 min walk from Chabad. Alot of Israelis stay there to particularly for Shabbat.

How is the area in Chabad's vicinity in Ko Samui? I would like to stay within walking distance for Shabbos, but if it is a party area at night, then maybe better to avoid it.



Offline foseph

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3296 on: March 30, 2016, 04:50:14 PM »
To keep my buddy happy.  He's gonna have to pay one way or the other; cash-wise the prices are comparable.  (And it was 14k)
Also Shangri-la is much closer to chabad which makes a difference when ur eating there for a few days

Offline HP58

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3297 on: March 31, 2016, 01:14:34 AM »
Which hotel/ villa in Ko Samui has a completely enclosed private pool?

Offline Emkay

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3298 on: March 31, 2016, 01:31:09 AM »
Which hotel/ villa in Ko Samui has a completely enclosed private pool?
On points?

Offline ayman

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3299 on: March 31, 2016, 01:39:30 AM »
LM CM vs Shangri-La? 

I booked 4 nights at the LM at the old rate but my buddy didn't get it in time.  I have the Prestige so we'd only be paying for 3 nights if we switch.  Is there any clear winner?
We stayed in the LM and enjoyed it a lot. Pool was really cold tho.

Didn't stay in the Shangri La, but did walk into the lobby. It's big and impressive, but I liked the LM better fwiw.

re walking to chabad, the walk from LM was abt 5-7 min and really no big deal at all. If that is too much, u can get a tuk-tuk for abt 50 THB or abt 1.5 USD...
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