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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 732457 times)

Offline SRM

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3820 on: March 21, 2017, 11:33:31 PM »
What's the policy with tipping in Thailand? Bellhops and cab drivers...

Offline elya

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3821 on: March 21, 2017, 11:35:00 PM »
What's the policy with tipping in Thailand? Bellhops and cab drivers...
Give them 20 Baht (about 10 cents!) they'll be over the moon.

Offline J-town

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3822 on: March 27, 2017, 05:34:37 AM »
Anyone know of a company to use for a day boat trip (preferably private) in Phang Nga Bay?

Offline Dan

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3823 on: March 27, 2017, 10:39:01 AM »
KSMLs sourced from BKK have gotten much better than what they used to be.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline Emkay

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3824 on: March 27, 2017, 10:42:16 AM »
KSMLs sourced from BKK have gotten much better than what they used to be.
When I flew ex-BKK 2 years ago I found it to be quite edible then.

Offline Dan

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3825 on: March 27, 2017, 10:45:16 AM »
Been 6+ years since I last had them. Night and day.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline lubaby

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3826 on: March 27, 2017, 11:39:38 AM »
KSMLs sourced from BKK have gotten much better than what they used to be.
I was very impressed as well  ;D

Offline mitchel89

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3827 on: May 08, 2017, 02:28:49 PM »
Hey,

So I would like to plan the second part my Thailand trip in the south and being that it will be in August I chose to stay in Koh Samui. However I would also love to take a day or 2 trip to Koh Phi Phi and the islands around that part so A) does anyone know if that's doable from koh samui and what's the best way to do it and B) is the weather in Koh Phi Phi as bad as Phuket in august or is it better?

Thanks

Offline Suave

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3828 on: May 10, 2017, 02:07:54 PM »
Hey,

So I would like to plan the second part my Thailand trip in the south and being that it will be in August I chose to stay in Koh Samui. However I would also love to take a day or 2 trip to Koh Phi Phi and the islands around that part so A) does anyone know if that's doable from koh samui and what's the best way to do it and B) is the weather in Koh Phi Phi as bad as Phuket in august or is it better?

Thanks

Cheapest (but very long & tiring) way to do it would be a ferry to surat thani and bus down to phuket then ferry again to Ko Phi Phi.
But it seems Bankok Airways has daily flights direct from USM to KBV for about $95 then just hop on a ferry from Krabi.

I would suggest skipping Phi Phi if you are traveling in August and just do Ko Pha Ngan & Ko Tao instead (short ferry rides from Ko Samui)
(BTW, September 1st is usually the first day of school in Thailand, which means you will have much more space to yourself on the islands in early September vs August)
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Offline mmgfarb

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3829 on: May 15, 2017, 01:07:03 AM »
New PH BKK looks absolutely gorgeous. Category 5 so only 20k points per night and pretty reasonable cash rates, looking in mid January I'm seeing ~$250 a night.
"JS [is] a fetid cesspool of unvarnished linguistic manure, with lots of useless drivel and post-padding." -Moishebatchy

Offline moisheyb

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3830 on: May 15, 2017, 02:18:12 AM »
New PH BKK looks absolutely gorgeous. Category 5 so only 20k points per night and pretty reasonable cash rates, looking in mid January I'm seeing ~$250 a night.

It finally opened?

Offline mmgfarb

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3831 on: May 15, 2017, 02:20:54 AM »
"JS [is] a fetid cesspool of unvarnished linguistic manure, with lots of useless drivel and post-padding." -Moishebatchy

Offline moisheyb

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3832 on: May 15, 2017, 02:21:25 AM »
Yep, May 12th.
Oh wow about time

Offline mmgfarb

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3833 on: May 15, 2017, 02:22:03 AM »
Oh wow about time
Only a couple years late
"JS [is] a fetid cesspool of unvarnished linguistic manure, with lots of useless drivel and post-padding." -Moishebatchy

Offline Z56

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3834 on: May 15, 2017, 03:04:13 AM »
New PH BKK looks absolutely gorgeous. Category 5 so only 20k points per night and pretty reasonable cash rates, looking in mid January I'm seeing ~$250 a night.

what's does PH stand for ? Can you send a link of the hotel your talking about
“I have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for their lack of success. Great things come from hard work

Offline mmgfarb

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Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3835 on: May 15, 2017, 03:08:15 AM »
what's does PH stand for ? Can you send a link of the hotel your talking about
Park Hyatt https://m.hyatt.com/mt/bangkok.park.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html
"JS [is] a fetid cesspool of unvarnished linguistic manure, with lots of useless drivel and post-padding." -Moishebatchy

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3836 on: May 15, 2017, 03:09:31 AM »
“I have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for their lack of success. Great things come from hard work

Offline mmgfarb

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3837 on: May 15, 2017, 03:10:45 AM »
Thanks

Link comes up with an error
Fixed
"JS [is] a fetid cesspool of unvarnished linguistic manure, with lots of useless drivel and post-padding." -Moishebatchy

Offline AJK

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3838 on: May 15, 2017, 02:53:57 PM »
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 Denverite

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3839 on: May 15, 2017, 03:04:24 PM »
We're going to USM, staying at the Conrad for 4 nights with kids ages 5-12.  Is it worth the time and expense for a day trip to Ang Thong Marine Park?  Anybody been?  Obviously we don't care about the food and drinks along the way, but is the boatride enjoyable? Is the scenery, fish and snorkeling That much better than what is at the islands where the Conrad's speed boat will take you, to make it worth the trip?

I'm a rare DDFer that's happy to mostly lounge and swim in the pool and snorkel around the hotel but if you guys think this a don't miss place (or anything else in Koh Samui), I'd appreciate your advice!