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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 732523 times)

Offline SLMYRCB

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3800 on: March 12, 2017, 09:18:53 AM »
Do you remember the name of the place?

Is Baan Chaang paradise one if the "good" or "bad" ones?
The good

Offline SRM

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3801 on: March 13, 2017, 12:55:28 PM »
In Phuket and Koh Samui is there a specific person or company to use for excusions (7 island tour, snorkling...) or is that something you book with whatever hotel your staying at? (I would think the hotels would be more expensive?) Thanks

Offline Denverite

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3802 on: March 13, 2017, 03:04:37 PM »
In Phuket and Koh Samui is there a specific person or company to use for excusions (7 island tour, snorkling...) or is that something you book with whatever hotel your staying at? (I would think the hotels would be more expensive?) Thanks

+1 Anyone got contact info for good drivers and high quality excursion companies in Koh Samui?  I'm even thinking of paying for private boat to to Anh Thong Marine Park since we are 5 people and I'd rather pay a little more to have the day really move at our family's speed.  Any recommendations for boating companies?

Offline SRM

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3803 on: March 13, 2017, 06:05:37 PM »
I haven't seen much mention about plug adapters...it seems like american plugs can be used in most of Thailand, is that correct? Is there any reason I would need a universal converter just in case?

Offline mochjas

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3804 on: March 13, 2017, 06:10:41 PM »
I haven't seen much mention about plug adapters...it seems like american plugs can be used in most of Thailand, is that correct? Is there any reason I would need a universal converter just in case?
that is not correct. But hotels usually provide converters

Offline SRM

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3805 on: March 13, 2017, 07:02:30 PM »
that is not correct. But hotels usually provide converters
converter or adapter? I'm not talking about voltage but simply about the correct shaped plugs

Offline mochjas

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3806 on: March 13, 2017, 07:04:17 PM »
converter or adapter? I'm not talking about voltage but simply about the correct shaped plugs
yes a converter that converts the Thailand outlet into a us outlet

Offline SRM

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3807 on: March 13, 2017, 07:09:20 PM »
yes a converter that converts the Thailand outlet into a us outlet
I'm not sure if were getting stuck on language here or not;

Plug adapters (or travel adapters) They do not convert electricity. They simply allow a dual-voltage appliance, a transformer or a converter from one country to be plugged into the wall outlet of another country.

Are you referring to adapters or converters (transformers)?

If you are referring to adapters what adapter would I need to get for Thailand?

Offline rileywiles23

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3808 on: March 13, 2017, 10:10:48 PM »
Anybody here do Baan Chang paradise for elephants in CNX ?
Life is as good as you make it...

Offline mochjas

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3809 on: March 13, 2017, 10:11:49 PM »
Anybody here do Baan Chang paradise for elephants in CNX ?
everyone

Offline rileywiles23

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3810 on: March 13, 2017, 10:12:20 PM »
everyone
That's the most recommend place to go ?
Life is as good as you make it...

Offline mochjas

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3811 on: March 13, 2017, 10:13:22 PM »
That's the most recommend place to go ?
yep

Offline rileywiles23

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3812 on: March 13, 2017, 10:13:24 PM »
Also, is there a number, or email for yacov at merkaz metayel, or do I just make reservations once I get there ?
Life is as good as you make it...

Offline mochjas

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3813 on: March 13, 2017, 10:15:05 PM »
Also, is there a number, or email for yacov at merkaz metayel, or do I just make reservations once I get there ?
go once youre there he's next door to Chabad

Offline SRM

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3814 on: March 14, 2017, 12:40:57 AM »
Also, is there a number, or email for yacov at merkaz metayel, or do I just make reservations once I get there ?
I was told his name is Yisroel. PM me for his number

Offline shimino1

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3815 on: March 14, 2017, 04:32:48 AM »
I was told his name is Yisroel. PM me for his number
Ounce and for all: There are two different people. There's Yaakov at Marcaz lamtayel which is across the street from Chabad and there is Yisroel that owns a place called 669 right next door to Chabad. I used Yisroel and was very happy with the service.

BTW: Yisroel is shomer shabbos if that makes a difference.

Offline shauly

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3816 on: March 14, 2017, 05:23:29 AM »
I did Baan Chang and it definitely seemed like they treated the elephants nicely. Also when they served lunch, when they found out we couldn't eat what they served they sent someone to cut us a fresh pineapple, and it was probably the best pineapple I've ever eaten in my life.

Someone also asked upthread about the night safari. We did it, and it was definitely an interesting experience. It starts out as a night safari, but afterwards it gets weird. There was a wild west type show, lots of dancing, and a water/light show. We booked it through Yisroel, and the driver he sent cut all the lines for us. We left early as we got really tired, but it was still pretty fun.

Offline Denverite

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3817 on: March 14, 2017, 09:54:18 PM »
My apologies if this question goes in another thread but can you search Bangkok Airways award space anywhere online or do I need to call them or a partner?  Their own website doesn't seem to have a way to search. Also, does anyone have general knowledge of whether they generally open consistent space to partners or do most people just buy their tickets with them?

Offline benjie1305

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3818 on: March 14, 2017, 09:58:55 PM »
My apologies if this question goes in another thread but can you search Bangkok Airways award space anywhere online or do I need to call them or a partner?  Their own website doesn't seem to have a way to search. Also, does anyone have general knowledge of whether they generally open consistent space to partners or do most people just buy their tickets with them?

Need to call. EF doesn't show the space nor does any other website.

Completely depends on route and time. Some space is open, some not.
Work hard, Play harder!

Offline Denverite

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3819 on: March 14, 2017, 10:01:21 PM »
Need to call. EF doesn't show the space nor does any other website.

Completely depends on route and time. Some space is open, some not.

Ok thanks.  Tried to call Air France and their computers were down and she couldn't search and their website said they're are expected to strike later this week so I'll try to find a non-Socialist partner airline!  ;D