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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 743965 times)

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4220 on: May 30, 2022, 09:33:27 AM »
Any decent award space leaving Israel to BKK?
checked elal?

Offline RGoldstein

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4221 on: June 01, 2022, 03:11:19 PM »
checked elal?
Matmid? No they always have crap value. I checked Qantas nothing there

Offline RGoldstein

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4222 on: June 01, 2022, 03:34:09 PM »
Why is there no Conrad award available in KSM at all?

Offline Legends666

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4223 on: June 01, 2022, 04:29:40 PM »
Any decent award space leaving Israel to BKK?
checked elal?

book Etihad through aeroplan

Offline Ploni3

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4224 on: June 02, 2022, 02:56:40 AM »
Why is there no Conrad award available in KSM at all?
Try 7 days or longer

Offline coffeebean

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4225 on: June 18, 2022, 04:55:12 PM »
Anyone heading to Thailand in the summer? My dates are July 11-27

Offline coffeebean

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4226 on: June 19, 2022, 05:20:45 AM »
Can anyone recommend a "kosher" cooking class in Chiang Mai?

Offline Benj1u

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4227 on: June 20, 2022, 08:38:06 AM »
Any decent award space leaving Israel to BKK?

singapore has great value if your willing to leave from dxb which is about a 4hr flight from tlv

Offline coffeebean

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Offline lakewood34

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4229 on: June 23, 2022, 02:06:29 PM »
Exciting news https://www.thrillist.com/news/nation/thailand-covid-entry-requirements-change-july
why what was the big deal of filling out the thailand pass and wouldn't you want to have travelers insurance

Offline coffeebean

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4230 on: June 23, 2022, 03:47:48 PM »
why what was the big deal of filling out the thailand pass and wouldn't you want to have travelers insurance
First off travel insurance as in trip delay, lost luggage, etc? That’s covered by my CC. Medical insurance? If C” V something happens, the hospitals aren’t going to deny entry. The answer is no, I usually don’t purchase medical insurance when traveling abroad.
If I needed the Thailand Pass it just adds to the headache of planning the trip. I still don’t know if I had to use the super expensive AXA insurance they recommended or any other insurance will do. They were super unclear.

Offline coffeebean

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4231 on: June 25, 2022, 04:17:09 PM »
Has anyone stayed in Anatara CM near Chabad? Is it better than LM? Cash value rates are double in Anatara.

Offline tavster

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4232 on: June 28, 2022, 02:05:03 PM »
Any recommendations for high end resorts in Phuket ?

Offline PlatinumGuy

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4233 on: June 28, 2022, 04:01:17 PM »
Any recommendations for high end resorts in Phuket ?
I had a great time in Trisara. There is also Aman & Rosewood
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline shwarmabob

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4234 on: June 29, 2022, 04:14:50 PM »
Medical insurance? If C” V something happens, the hospitals aren’t going to deny entry.
It may be true for the US but not for Thailand AFAIK. They either won't treat you or you will not be able to leave the country until you settled your bill. It's unfair to expect your bill to be paid by tzedakah if you fall out of a tuk-tuk C"V because you didn't want to pay another $60 for your insurance.

Offline coffeebean

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4235 on: June 29, 2022, 06:50:51 PM »
It may be true for the US but not for Thailand AFAIK. They either won't treat you or you will not be able to leave the country until you settled your bill. It's unfair to expect your bill to be paid by tzedakah if you fall out of a tuk-tuk C"V because you didn't want to pay another $60 for your insurance.
Understood. I’m curious to know other opinions as well. Is this a common practice anytime anyone leaves the country? Tbh, I’ve never really thought about it that much.

Offline coffeebean

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4236 on: July 03, 2022, 12:48:41 PM »
Yisroel wants $60 a day for a driver is that expensive?

Offline Z56

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4237 on: July 04, 2022, 12:03:18 AM »
Yisroel wants $60 a day for a driver is that expensive?

I paid years ago I think $50 for a luxury van
“I have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for their lack of success. Great things come from hard work

Offline Ploni3

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4238 on: July 05, 2022, 06:51:43 AM »
Yisroel wants $60 a day for a driver is that expensive?
It is in line with what I paid recently

Offline coffeebean

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4239 on: July 05, 2022, 08:31:57 AM »
It is in line with what I paid recently
Seems like you just have to bargain with other people I got quotes now for 800 baht.