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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 732835 times)

Offline MosheP

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4160 on: August 28, 2019, 02:20:45 PM »
Depending on the time of year I’d say do Phuket or koh samui & Chiang Mai. Why would you want to do both Phuket & koh samui? I was just in koh samui for a week I’ll post a mini TR soon with my some updated info for this thread.
If I just do Phuket, do I miss out on very much? Or does Phuket encompass much of what there is to do in Chiang Mai and Koh Samui?
I have 2.5 days in Thailand and I want to taste what there is to do before  deciding if I must return.

Offline Menachem613

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4161 on: September 15, 2019, 05:33:53 PM »
If I have a week vacation in December and considering splitting the time between HK (Kowloon) and Thailand (Chiang Mai), how would you recommend? Does 2 nights in HK and 5 in CM make sense?

Offline moish

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4162 on: September 16, 2019, 02:42:03 PM »
If I have a week vacation in December and considering splitting the time between HK (Kowloon) and Thailand (Chiang Mai), how would you recommend? Does 2 nights in HK and 5 in CM make sense?
Forget about nights, you want to figure out the usable days split

Offline Menachem613

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4163 on: September 16, 2019, 05:28:27 PM »
Forget about nights, you want to figure out the usable days split

Let’s say is 7 usable days.

Offline moish

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4164 on: September 17, 2019, 03:39:02 PM »
Id say 4 CM and 3 HK, unless you want to see Macau, in which case Id say 3 CM and 4 HK

Offline Menachem613

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4165 on: September 22, 2019, 05:06:31 PM »
Id say 4 CM and 3 HK, unless you want to see Macau, in which case Id say 3 CM and 4 HK

What are your thoughts if instead wanted to be in Thailand only? Would you say CM mostly and spend a day or two in BKK?

Offline ludmila

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4166 on: September 22, 2019, 09:15:48 PM »
What are your thoughts if instead wanted to be in Thailand only? Would you say CM mostly and spend a day or two in BKK?
Yes, sounds good,Ill do 2 days in BKK.
I was the Best,still the Best, and will always be the Best.
Pele Good,Maradona Better, George Best.

Offline moish

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4167 on: September 23, 2019, 09:44:32 AM »
What are your thoughts if instead wanted to be in Thailand only? Would you say CM mostly and spend a day or two in BKK?
I dont think theres anything to do in CM for more than 3 days

Offline solls108

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4168 on: September 23, 2019, 09:33:57 PM »
Looking to fly into CNX and avoid BKK all together. Looking to stop in Hong Kong one way and another city on the way back, all while avoiding BKK. Is that possible? What is recommended?

Offline Dan

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4169 on: September 23, 2019, 09:37:02 PM »
Looking to fly into CNX and avoid BKK all together. Looking to stop in Hong Kong one way and another city on the way back, all while avoiding BKK. Is that possible? What is recommended?
HKT or USM? SIN?
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 solls108

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4170 on: September 23, 2019, 09:45:13 PM »
HKT or USM? SIN?
Are there direct flights from HKT or USM to NYC using AA miles?

Online mochjas

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4171 on: September 23, 2019, 10:18:50 PM »
Are there direct flights from HKT or USM to NYC using AA miles?
no

Offline solls108

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4172 on: September 24, 2019, 08:53:32 AM »
Who partners with AsiaAir? Or any of the inter-thailand carriers? Do people use points or just cash?

Offline solls108

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4173 on: October 02, 2019, 07:48:41 PM »
Who partners with AsiaAir? Or any of the inter-thailand carriers? Do people use points or just cash?
bump?

Offline Denverite

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4174 on: October 02, 2019, 07:53:09 PM »
bump?

I don't know about Asia Air but Bankok Air is a partner of Cathay Pacific, which you can get from AMEX transfer.  At the time I traveled, I used Flying Blue points and it was a great deal, 10k for a $400 direct flight HKG-USM, but I don't think they are partners anymore.

Offline Hjay

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4175 on: October 03, 2019, 12:56:46 AM »
Who partners with AsiaAir? Or any of the inter-thailand carriers? Do people use points or just cash?

Not easy to find flights on points if there is anything at all

Offline solls108

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4176 on: October 03, 2019, 08:55:59 AM »
Not easy to find flights on points if there is anything at all
ok, thanks!

Offline shwarmabob

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4177 on: October 03, 2019, 11:37:44 AM »
Who partners with AsiaAir? Or any of the inter-thailand carriers? Do people use points or just cash?
you have to pay cash. their fares are often very reasonable.

Offline solls108

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4178 on: October 06, 2019, 10:50:38 AM »
What hotels in Chaing Mai are good and nice hotels to book with points? Something not on the crazy expensive end

Offline solls108

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4179 on: October 06, 2019, 10:54:05 AM »
you have to pay cash. their fares are often very reasonable.
Prices around new years is crazy!