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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 732642 times)

Offline INTELLIGENTBLONDE

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3680 on: January 21, 2017, 08:07:15 PM »
Just reserved Sheraton USM and the rep mentioned that there's free breakfast at the hotel. Anyone here ever have success getting them to order in from Chabad?



were you able to get breakfast from chabad?

Offline INTELLIGENTBLONDE

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3681 on: January 23, 2017, 10:04:26 AM »
were headed to ko samui and  staying at  sheraton  USM. was anyone able to get free kosher breakfast there?

Offline CS91

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3682 on: January 24, 2017, 03:42:13 PM »
were you able to get breakfast from chabad?
Didn't end up staying there. Changed to CKS.

Offline SRM

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3683 on: January 27, 2017, 12:31:35 PM »
I'm planning a trip to Thailand (and Singapore) at the end of March. I'd like to visit Chiang Mai and Koh Samui, in addition to that I was considering Bangkok and Phuket (koh phi phi) but not sure I'll have time for all of that. Which places are a must see? I was also interested in adding a small side trip to Singapore but that would take away from my time in Thailand, would that be worth it or should I skip Singapore? TIA

Offline SRM

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3684 on: January 27, 2017, 12:44:37 PM »
If I'm only going to be in Thailand for one shabbos do you recommend spending it in Chiang Mai or Bangkok?

Offline shauly

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3685 on: January 27, 2017, 12:46:27 PM »
If I'm only going to be in Thailand for one shabbos do you recommend spending it in Chiang Mai or Bangkok?

Without having been to Bangkok, I'll say that shabbos in Chiang Mai was a very nice experience.

Offline Emkay

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3686 on: February 05, 2017, 03:24:44 AM »
Looking for mix of beautiful nature and activities, is there any reason Phuket would be better than Koh Samui?

Offline sammy n

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3687 on: February 07, 2017, 08:00:57 AM »
If I'm only going to be in Thailand for one shabbos do you recommend spending it in Chiang Mai or Bangkok?
Chiang Mai is nicer. Although I did have a nice time in Bangkok as well.

Offline SRM

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3688 on: February 07, 2017, 03:23:09 PM »
Without having been to Bangkok, I'll say that shabbos in Chiang Mai was a very nice experience.
Thanks!

Offline SRM

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3689 on: February 07, 2017, 03:23:20 PM »
Chiang Mai is nicer. Although I did have a nice time in Bangkok as well.
Thanks!

Offline sillypainter

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3690 on: February 07, 2017, 03:43:16 PM »
Thanks!

24 hr. DOT rule does not apply within 7 days.

Offline CS91

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3691 on: February 07, 2017, 04:35:38 PM »
If I'm only going to be in Thailand for one shabbos do you recommend spending it in Chiang Mai or Bangkok?
Don't spend any time in Bangkok. Period.

Offline Denverite

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3692 on: February 14, 2017, 12:03:01 AM »
Don't spend any time in Bangkok. Period.

Just curious why you say this, because you think Bankok sucks or because the other options for Shabbat in Thailand are so much better?

Offline shwarmabob

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3693 on: February 14, 2017, 10:39:27 AM »
Looking for mix of beautiful nature and activities, is there any reason Phuket would be better than Koh Samui?
Depends on when you go. Check the weather. The monsoon comes at different times

Offline shwarmabob

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3694 on: February 14, 2017, 10:51:24 AM »
Just curious why you say this, because you think Bankok sucks or because the other options for Shabbat in Thailand are so much better?
We have been in all Chabad houses/shuls on Shabbos and they were all great. Bangkok was just as great as Chiang Mai, bigger, crazier and more interesting. Just get out of the Khao San area

Offline shimino1

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3695 on: February 14, 2017, 10:54:33 AM »
Just curious why you say this, because you think Bankok sucks or because the other options for Shabbat in Thailand are so much better?
That! Anything you can do in Bancock, you can do elsewhere and more

Offline CS91

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3696 on: February 14, 2017, 12:17:24 PM »
That! Anything you can do in Bancock, you can do elsewhere and more
Exactly.

Offline lafindumonde

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3697 on: February 14, 2017, 03:02:06 PM »
Going to Phuket for 4 nights.  I can't decide between the Hyatt Regency or the Le Meridien.  Which would you choose?

Offline mochjas

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3698 on: February 14, 2017, 03:06:58 PM »
Going to Phuket for 4 nights.  I can't decide between the Hyatt Regency or the Le Meridien.  Which would you choose?
do you have status with either one? price for each?

Offline lafindumonde

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3699 on: February 14, 2017, 03:15:31 PM »
do you have status with either one? price for each?

Actually, I guess I should consider Hilton Arcadia as well :   Hilton Diamond,  Hyatt Platinum, Starwood Gold.  Hyatt is 12k/17k for a Club room, LM is 10k, & I think Hilton is 40k