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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 732249 times)

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #220 on: July 12, 2012, 02:26:01 PM »
Thanks brytch!
I'll be back with some more q's, but that's a great help.

And I may need to just hold off on my snorkeling wish this trip, and wait till I actually do make it out to MLE.

Which SPG beach place is the nicest IYO?

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #221 on: July 12, 2012, 04:20:30 PM »
Thanks for recommending Bangkok Airways. Service sounds good, and prices are similar.

Any benefit to booking on Thai since they're part of the Star Alliance? I don't have status.

Maybe hire rice paddy farmers to fly back and forth, and have the miles credit to my account?

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #222 on: July 12, 2012, 05:42:39 PM »
Another question.
My HH just posted, so I have 200k to use.
Is the Conrad Koh Samui worth it at 50k per night for 2 or 3 nights? The room has a plunge pool.

Any other HH properties anyone would recommend in Thailand?

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #223 on: July 16, 2012, 05:00:26 PM »
Anyone been to Phi Phi? Was told by boss that it was his favorite spot there.

Offline Cbs

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #224 on: July 16, 2012, 05:02:01 PM »
Anyone been to Phi Phi? Was told by boss that it was his favorite spot there.
In this time of year it can be very rainy and windy so make sure u have good weather before u go.

Offline moish

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #225 on: July 16, 2012, 05:10:05 PM »
when i was in hkt last august, the boats werent going

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #226 on: July 16, 2012, 05:10:10 PM »
I'll post up my basic trip structure tomorrow, but if I need to choose btw Krabi, Ko Samui, Khao Lak, or Phuket for early August, what would you recommend? I'll be traveling from Chiang Mai, so I would prefer to avoid having to do any flight stop overs.

Offline moish

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #227 on: July 16, 2012, 05:19:34 PM »
i think its been discussed many times that khao lak or phuket is a big mistake in august, unless you enjoy watching the rain from your room

Offline Cbs

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #228 on: July 16, 2012, 05:24:10 PM »
I'll post up my basic trip structure tomorrow, but if I need to choose btw Krabi, Ko Samui, Khao Lak, or Phuket for early August, what would you recommend? I'll be traveling from Chiang Mai, so I would prefer to avoid having to do any flight stop overs.
USM - id say uve got a better chance with the rain but again , not forsure

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #229 on: July 16, 2012, 05:30:22 PM »
USM - id say uve got a better chance with the rain but again , not forsure
what's usm?

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #230 on: July 16, 2012, 05:33:53 PM »
what's usm?
airport code for koa samui

Offline Dan

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #231 on: July 16, 2012, 06:20:38 PM »
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 moish

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #232 on: July 16, 2012, 06:22:04 PM »
Bookmark this:
http://www.flyertalk.com/acl/
nice
guess thats easier than googling 'usm airport'

Offline Ergel

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #233 on: July 16, 2012, 08:37:40 PM »
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #234 on: July 17, 2012, 05:29:02 PM »
So due to weather considerations and not wanting to be spending too much time traveling, we're considering spending most of the time in the Chiang Mai area. 2 nights would be in the city, and another 2 or 3 nights in a resort outside of the city.
This place caught my eye since it's next to a river and waterfall. http://www.sukantara.com/  The trip advisor reviews are good, and I'm not looking for a budget place which received most of their best reviews. I emailed them if they can bring in kosher food from the chabad, and I'll await their response.

We're also considering SPG's beautiful looking resort in Chiang Rai. Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort
Its a 5 star place, but is only SPG 2 level, and nights start at 75 per night. And its ranked #1 on trip advisor for the area.
Anyone have an idea how much a cab would cost btw Mai and Rai?
Thoughts? It looks like btw relaxing, sitting out the rain, and shopping, we should have more than enough to do in the area for 5 days including shabbos. And then we'll spend the last day in Bangkok.

Offline Dan

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #235 on: July 17, 2012, 05:30:08 PM »
I'd split the time between CM and CR.
Forget BKK.
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.

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #236 on: July 17, 2012, 05:34:53 PM »
I'd split the time between CM and CR.
Forget BKK.
So spend less than 24 hrs in BKK?
Did you do CR? Anything unique there as opposed to CM? Or go b/c of the resort?

Offline damaxer91

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #237 on: July 17, 2012, 05:35:36 PM »
So due to weather considerations and not wanting to be spending too much time traveling, we're considering spending most of the time in the Chiang Mai area. 2 nights would be in the city, and another 2 or 3 nights in a resort outside of the city.
This place caught my eye since it's next to a river and waterfall. http://www.sukantara.com/  The trip advisor reviews are good, and I'm not looking for a budget place which received most of their best reviews. I emailed them if they can bring in kosher food from the chabad, and I'll await their response.

We're also considering SPG's beautiful looking resort in Chiang Rai. Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort
Its a 5 star place, but is only SPG 2 level, and nights start at 75 per night. And its ranked #1 on trip advisor for the area.
Anyone have an idea how much a cab would cost btw Mai and Rai?
Thoughts? It looks like btw relaxing, sitting out the rain, and shopping, we should have more than enough to do in the area for 5 days including shabbos. And then we'll spend the last day in Bangkok.
I'd split the time between CM and CR.
Forget BKK.

If departing in the evening, I would try and get into BKK around Noon with enough time to see the Palace and check out some of the markets.

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #238 on: July 17, 2012, 05:44:43 PM »
If departing in the evening, I would try and get into BKK around Noon with enough time to see the Palace and check out some of the markets.
Are the markets in BKK any better than the Satuday night Wua-Lai or Sunday night markets in CNX?
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 damaxer91

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #239 on: July 17, 2012, 06:15:57 PM »
Are the markets in BKK any better than the Satuday night Wua-Lai or Sunday night markets in CNX?

Less cool crafts etc but better high quality knockoffs in the night market near the stadium

Also i think that the Chabad House is a sight to see as well