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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 732254 times)

Offline AJK

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #560 on: January 20, 2013, 06:07:05 PM »
@ZCN:

How much are the massages in Thailand? Are they as cheap as I'm thinking they are??
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

Offline Dan

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #561 on: January 20, 2013, 06:08:32 PM »
@ZCN:

How much are the massages in Thailand? Are they as cheap as I'm thinking they are??
Depends where. But yes, they can be had for as little as a couple dollars.
Money goes far in Thailand.  That counteracts the smelliness/dirtiness of the place.
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 AJK

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #562 on: January 20, 2013, 06:10:12 PM »
So my thoughts of like $15-20 for an hour (or two?) aren't crazy?

I assume they cost more in the hotels themselves and the prices above are for Thai massage parlors?
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

Offline Dan

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #563 on: January 20, 2013, 06:14:16 PM »
So my thoughts of like $15-20 for an hour (or two?) aren't crazy?

I assume they cost more in the hotels themselves and the prices above are for Thai massage parlors?
A massage parlor on the street will be far less than that.  No guarantee on quality/cleanliness though.
Hotels will be much more.

Don't forget that everything, and I do mean everything, is negotiable.  You will be raped if you are not a good negotiator.
Whenever you hear a price just come back at 10% of the asking price and work up to ~15% of the asking price perhaps.
For example for a polo shirt knockoff they asked for $30, I countered with $3, and settled on $4 after 5 minutes of the game.
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 AJK

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #564 on: January 20, 2013, 06:21:52 PM »
Thanks for the heads up. Do the negotiations also work at the hotel spas?

So I guess I need recommendations for good massage places in BKK/CNX?

Perhaps this question is better asked on FT?

Has anyone one here got an awesome massage they wanna share the info about?
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

Offline Dan

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #565 on: January 20, 2013, 06:24:24 PM »
We had an incredible hot stone massage at the LM Khao Lak, but it was free because of the problems we had.
I doubt those rates are too negotiable, but definitely can't hurt to ask.

Not sure why you're bothering with BKK from everything I've see 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 ZCN

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #566 on: January 20, 2013, 06:28:28 PM »
Thanks for the heads up. Do the negotiations also work at the hotel spas?

So I guess I need recommendations for good massage places in BKK/CNX?

Perhaps this question is better asked on FT?

Has anyone one here got an awesome massage they wanna share the info about?



I can only speak for CNX but unless you want something very specific or want a upscale/nice environment I doubt there are recommendations out there. You have to understand that there are massage places every 100 feet. Its like asking for a recommendation for where to buy a bottle of soda on Ave M in Flatbush.

And worst case scenario if you don't like the massage you got just go to the next place. All you've lost is $5 and some time.

Offline Dan

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #567 on: January 20, 2013, 06:29:15 PM »


I can only speak for CNX but unless you want something very specific or want a upscale/nice environment I doubt there are recommendations out there. You have to understand that there are massage places every 100 feet. Its like asking for a recommendation for where to buy a bottle of soda on Ave M in Flatbush.
Lol, +1.
Probably a Fodor's or Lonely Planet would be the place to look for something special that's still a bargain.
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 ZCN

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #568 on: January 20, 2013, 06:32:13 PM »
@ Dan whats the best way  to load pictures onto a post? I'm having trouble loading even one pic at a time.

Offline Dan

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #569 on: January 20, 2013, 06:46:08 PM »
Use Microsoft pic manager to compress them and save them as a separate file.

Or upload to picasa, etc
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 #570 on: January 20, 2013, 07:06:24 PM »
Lol, +1.
Probably a Fodor's or Lonely Planet would be the place to look for something special that's still a bargain.
tripadvisors not bad

Offline elikay

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Re: Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #571 on: January 20, 2013, 07:08:59 PM »
@ Dan whats the best way  to load pictures onto a post? I'm having trouble loading even one pic at a time.
You can also use tinypic.

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #572 on: January 20, 2013, 09:03:14 PM »
Use Microsoft pic manager to compress them and save them as a separate file.

Or upload to picasa, etc



Thanks.

1. Elephant painting a picture
2. Alligator show
3. A tuk tuk

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #573 on: January 20, 2013, 09:27:02 PM »
1. Sat. night market
2. Sunday night market
3. Laser show at Night Safari
4. Picture drawing at the Sunday night market

Offline AJK

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #574 on: January 20, 2013, 11:12:34 PM »
We had an incredible hot stone massage at the LM Khao Lak, but it was free because of the problems we had.
I doubt those rates are too negotiable, but definitely can't hurt to ask.

Not sure why you're bothering with BKK from everything I've see though.

I only mention BKK because, as of now, our tickets are through BKK :P



I can only speak for CNX but unless you want something very specific or want a upscale/nice environment I doubt there are recommendations out there. You have to understand that there are massage places every 100 feet. Its like asking for a recommendation for where to buy a bottle of soda on Ave M in Flatbush.

And worst case scenario if you don't like the massage you got just go to the next place. All you've lost is $5 and some time.

Haha, I hear ya.

I'll check out the below suggestions perhaps.
Lol, +1.
Probably a Fodor's or Lonely Planet would be the place to look for something special that's still a bargain.
tripadvisors not bad

Thanks.
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

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #575 on: January 21, 2013, 12:48:07 AM »
@ZCN:

How much are the massages in Thailand? Are they as cheap as I'm thinking they are??
They are dirt cheap if you're willing to not be in a luxurious place. They were the highlight of my wife's trip. :)
 I couldn't force myself to have one, as most of them were females, and I felt weird looking for a male guy.

But they're all over the place, and you can negotiate. Up north was a bit cheaper than BKK, but the standard is 300 baht ($10) for an hour of a basic massage. Add in a few $$ if you want oil, or s/t fancier.

Hotels will obviously cost more, as will nicer spas.

(The first place we went to had a sign saying "No Sex". It's supposedly an epidemic in Thailand.)

Offline MAJ

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #576 on: January 21, 2013, 02:39:52 AM »
lol had a hard time finding males as well. when i actually did find i was scared they thought i wanted them for diff reasons. one of the places the massage was so bad, im pretty sure they pulled a man off the street. still managed a good massage, and never had to pay more than 250 baht (bkk)

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #577 on: January 21, 2013, 02:41:43 AM »
Flying (or having a ticket to put it more accurately  ;)) TG F ex BKK gives you access to the Royal Orchid Spa lounge with massages and a jacuzzi.
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #578 on: January 21, 2013, 07:12:15 AM »
while in BKK my back started acting up so i went for a Thai massage. def not a pleasurable/soothing experience

Offline Cbs

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #579 on: January 21, 2013, 11:03:42 AM »
while in BKK my back started acting up so i went for a Thai massage. def not a pleasurable/soothing experience
depends where u go