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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 732481 times)

Offline Dan

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #500 on: January 09, 2013, 01:44:18 AM »
Shangri La Kowloon is the hotel next door to KZ
I've been to both.

KZ makes chabad look like stogel, but davening is nicer @ chabad.
Chabad of Kowloon or HKI?
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 #501 on: January 09, 2013, 02:15:52 AM »
Chabad of Kowloon or HKI?
Kowloon. Never been to chabad on the island.

״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline Dan

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #502 on: January 09, 2013, 02:22:40 AM »
I only speak for Chabad of HKI. Never been to any shul in Kowloon.
Nobody in their right mind would dismiss the CHKI food that I had over shabbos.
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.

Online PlatinumGuy

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #503 on: January 09, 2013, 02:27:54 AM »
I only speak for Chabad of HKI. Never been to any shul in Kowloon.
Nobody in their right mind would dismiss the CHKI food that I had over shabbos.
Interesting. I guess Ill have to try it out. How many people are there? Is the davening normal?
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline moish

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #504 on: January 09, 2013, 03:15:55 AM »
Shangri La Kowloon is the hotel next door to KZ
I've been to both.

KZ makes chabad look like stogel, but davening is nicer @ chabad.
from a food standpoint, KZ is the best weve had on a trip by a clear
(and ive stayed many a shabbos abroad)

Offline Cbs

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #505 on: January 09, 2013, 03:16:30 AM »
I only speak for Chabad of HKI. Never been to any shul in Kowloon.
Nobody in their right mind would dismiss the CHKI food that I had over shabbos.
i had their food on a regular morning shachris breakfast and it was really good

Offline SuperFlyer

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #506 on: January 09, 2013, 03:47:56 AM »
How does KZ compare to Beijings Dini's shabbos meals? Found it to be excellent.

Was in HKI, but didn't daven in chabad + was with a holy dude that wanted to eat in the hotel room.

Poor guys @ the hotel, when we asked them for some things, they went up some 13 floors countless times by stairs instead of using the elevator.

Offline moish

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #507 on: January 09, 2013, 07:06:56 AM »
from a food standpoint, KZ is the best weve had on a trip by a clear mile
(and ive stayed many a shabbos abroad)
ftfm

Online PlatinumGuy

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #508 on: January 09, 2013, 07:32:59 AM »
How does KZ compare to Beijings Dini's shabbos meals? Found it to be excellent.

Was in HKI, but didn't daven in chabad + was with a holy dude that wanted to eat in the hotel room.

Poor guys @ the hotel, when we asked them for some things, they went up some 13 floors countless times by stairs instead of using the elevator.
Never in Beijing for shabbos for ate at Dinis during the week.

KZ is much better
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline MAJ

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #509 on: January 09, 2013, 08:20:17 AM »
Kz is like eating in a top notch restarant

Offline damaxer91

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #510 on: January 09, 2013, 08:32:56 AM »
I do stopovers in HKG just to have the Vietnamese Rice at KZ.

OT, but anyone have that recipe??

Offline ChikkyMonkey

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #511 on: January 09, 2013, 10:42:18 AM »
Chiang Mai Sunday market is by far the best in CM... can't compare to the others... it's very big, street is closed, lots of vendors selling various gifts, souvenirs, etc... highly recommended..

Offline Dan

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #512 on: January 09, 2013, 11:52:44 AM »
Chiang Mai Sunday market is by far the best in CM... can't compare to the others... it's very big, street is closed, lots of vendors selling various gifts, souvenirs, etc... highly recommended..
Sat night market is also on a closed street with lots of vendors and better stuff than the standard night market.  I'm sure not as big though.
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 Platinum

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #513 on: January 10, 2013, 02:20:19 AM »
IMO the Sunday night market is over rated. Yes it's bigger but it's pretty much all the same things you will see at the Sat night market. I don't think it's worth extending your stay just for that.

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #514 on: January 10, 2013, 02:59:30 AM »
Have you folks bought anything practical at these markets?
When I was there, I bought a loose fitting shabbos shirt, but beyond that, just chachkalas.

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #515 on: January 10, 2013, 04:30:53 AM »
Another question.

If staying in the Phuket / Krabi / Khao Lak area for 10 days or so, do you recommend renting a car for 2 adults and 3 kids?
If so, any recommendations for a rental company?
How are the roads down there?

EDIT:
Is there any way to use AA miles to fly from Phuket to TLV? It would save me booking a one way from Phuket to BKK.
« Last Edit: January 10, 2013, 06:19:16 AM by Drago »

Offline SuperFlyer

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #516 on: January 10, 2013, 04:48:34 AM »
Was at a night market in TPE, and was not exciting, nor very holy products for sale to put it mildly...

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #517 on: January 10, 2013, 05:11:46 AM »
nor very holy products for sale to put it mildly...
You mean holy water, or seforim?

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #518 on: January 10, 2013, 10:11:25 AM »
Sorry for all the postings today.
So I need some routing advice, and am unsure where to post this.

I'll be in Phuket, and need to get back to TLV w/ a OW for 4 ppl + infant.

Typically, the best value is AA for 22.5/30 for OW.
Problem is, I don't think a/o has a published routing from Phuket, so I'd have to position myself back to BKK. That way I could go back direct on LY or CX and LY.

I then realized that it would be nice to go to HKG for 3 days including a shabbos. Alternatively, s/w else w/ a chabad along the way back to TLV. Such as Bombay (Mumbai).

A) I found DragonAir from Phuket to HKG direct for 10k+$50 using BA miles.
Then I could book from HKG to TLV after shabbos for the 22.5/30. (Although Qantas is just showing me RJ availability right now)

B) Or I can try to get myself to BOM and from there to TLV is just 17k BA w/ no YQ. But how to get to BOM from Phuket w/o overpaying...

C) Go to a different city for those 3 days (need advice)

So I'm looking for advice. The first option seems the best to me, but maybe ppl have advice for different routings or a different city to go to.

Thanks!

Offline ChikkyMonkey

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #519 on: January 10, 2013, 10:51:37 AM »
Another question.

If staying in the Phuket / Krabi / Khao Lak area for 10 days or so, do you recommend renting a car for 2 adults and 3 kids?
If so, any recommendations for a rental company?
How are the roads down there?

Really depends on what you want to do. If you are just looking to relax and take it easy at the resort, then probably no need. Even if you plan on going out on a day trip, you're probably better off taking a driver for the day.  If you plan on going around everyday then perhaps worth it.  Personally when I was in Khao Lak with kids (at the time had a 4 year old and 2 year old) we stayed at the resort for 7 days (aside from one day we used a driver to take us to the market nearby... 

Roads are ok.