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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 732476 times)

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #520 on: January 10, 2013, 10:56:41 AM »
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.
It's that beautiful at KL that you didn't need to leave at all? Wow. Which resort?
It looks like there are some beautiful national parks there.

And if I needed to go to Phuket for food or s/t, how much would it cost to go r/t?

Also, a somewhat detailed question.
Of the SPG properties in Phuket, Krabi, and KL, which would be the best for shabbos? Do any rooms have electric sensors inside the room that would be problematic?

Offline ZCN

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #521 on: January 10, 2013, 11:07:30 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.


+1


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.


I didn't find anything very useful, more like nice gifts, or mementos.

Offline ChikkyMonkey

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #522 on: January 10, 2013, 11:12:27 AM »
I think the best option with kids is KL... so many pools, great kids club, nice location.. I arranged with a driver to pick up food from Phuket Chabad after he dropped someone off at the airport so it wasn't too expensive... don't remember prices..  My guess is if you wanted a ride to chabad to pick it up yourself you're prob. talking about 1500 baht..

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #523 on: January 10, 2013, 11:15:43 AM »
I think the best option with kids is KL... so many pools, great kids club, nice location.. I arranged with a driver to pick up food from Phuket Chabad after he dropped someone off at the airport so it wasn't too expensive... don't remember prices..  My guess is if you wanted a ride to chabad to pick it up yourself you're prob. talking about 1500 baht..
This is the SPG there?
I think we'll split up our 10 days btw Krabi, LM Phuket, and KL. Sounds like we should weight it heavier to the KL property.
Also, did they give you a problem of having 2 kids? I emailed them and told them I'm coming with 3 kids. They didn't seem to mind.

Offline PlatinumGuy

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #524 on: January 10, 2013, 11:34:01 AM »
You mean holy water, or seforim?
Taipei has porn markets
״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 #525 on: January 10, 2013, 12:30:41 PM »
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?
Seems like a long time to me.
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 Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #526 on: January 10, 2013, 02:04:10 PM »
Seems like a long time to me.
I agree, which is why I thought about hopping to Malaysia in the middle.
But with 3 kids, I don't want to be over-schelpping.d

And relaxation time combine with some boat trips to islands and some day trips to national parks, should more than fill up our time.

Offline SavingsBigtime

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #527 on: January 10, 2013, 02:14:03 PM »
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..
is that the best market in Thailand?

Offline MAJ

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #528 on: January 10, 2013, 02:31:50 PM »
What are the best miles, if any,to use on small flights in the Far East? I.e. Cnx-sin or pek or hkg

Offline PlatinumGuy

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #529 on: January 10, 2013, 02:33:35 PM »
What are the best miles, if any,to use on small flights in the Far East? I.e. Cnx-sin or pek or hkg
Revenue is often cheap, where serviced by CX - BA miles, round trip aeroplan.
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #530 on: January 10, 2013, 02:36:30 PM »
Revenue is often cheap, where serviced by CX - BA miles, round trip aeroplan.
Why AC?

Offline PlatinumGuy

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #531 on: January 10, 2013, 02:48:32 PM »
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #532 on: January 10, 2013, 03:01:17 PM »
Its the cheapest.
How many miles?
And they don't charge YQ on Thai still?

@Dan,
Who was the driver you used in Phuket to get to Khao Lak that you mentioned in your TR?

Offline ChikkyMonkey

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #533 on: January 10, 2013, 03:41:27 PM »
Who was the driver you used in Phuket to get to Khao Lak that you mentioned in your TR?

Drivers name is boss.. very reliable can take you to phuket for food.. cheaper_khaolak@ymail.com

Perhaps split your stay between Khao Lak and somewhere in Phuket.. or Krabi.. or even hop to one of the smaller islands Ko Phi Phi (very touristy but look it up)


Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #534 on: January 10, 2013, 04:01:05 PM »
Drivers name is boss.. very reliable can take you to phuket for food.. cheaper_khaolak@ymail.com

Perhaps split your stay between Khao Lak and somewhere in Phuket.. or Krabi.. or even hop to one of the smaller islands Ko Phi Phi (very touristy but look it up)


Thanks.
I'm considering flying into Krabi and renting a car to do some extra attractions and then drive to Khao Lak, spend shabbos there, and then going down to Phuket for the last few days.
If I have 10 nights, what breakdown should I do?
3 Krabi
4 KL
3 Phuket

Offline MAJ

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #535 on: January 10, 2013, 04:40:04 PM »
How many miles? Seems like 20/30/50
And they don't charge YQ on Thai still?

How does one check what the taxs would be if they don't have miles in account? I'm just getting that I don't have enough miles

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #536 on: January 19, 2013, 02:01:21 PM »
ICG made their changes to their award chart.
Gotta book before early March to lock in the original rates.

Impact on Thailand.
Holiday Inn in Phi Phi is going up 10k to 35 k :(
But IC on Koh Samui going down 5k to 25k. :)

A few other 5k changes as well.


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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #537 on: January 19, 2013, 10:13:46 PM »
The W in Samui is VERY nice, got any SPG saved up?
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Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #538 on: January 20, 2013, 01:03:03 AM »
The W in Samui is VERY nice, got any SPG saved up?
I'm going to skip Samui this visit. We'll hang around the south area.

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #539 on: January 20, 2013, 01:04:53 PM »
@ChikkyMonkey (or anyone else that may know):

What are the best hotels (with points or cheap rev rates) in BKK/CNX/HKT?
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