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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 732547 times)

Offline moish

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #620 on: February 12, 2013, 03:28:51 AM »
singapore

Offline ChikkyMonkey

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #621 on: February 12, 2013, 03:43:07 AM »
I'm still planning my trip and could use some help.
This is what I have so far:
My plan is to stay in Chiang Mai from  08/01 - 08/05
Then travel to chiang rai and stay there from 08/05 - 08/08
Then I have from 08/08 - 08/11 to go somewhere in the area. I initially planned on traveling to Koh Samui, but I was told earlier that there are no nice hotels near Chabad,  it's a flight to BKK - USM which isn't cheap and I'd like to stay near a Chabad house for shabbos if possible.
The question is if I'm already flying from CEI - USM ( Spending time and $$$) is there a better option in southeast Asia where I could go to a cool place and stay at a nice hotel near a Chabad house? Or Koh Samui is really that worth it and I should stick to that.

Chaing Rai seems a little long unless you just wanna relax, there really isn't that much to see.. Golden triangle sounds better than it is...

South only decent option in August is the Gulf (ie Samui) from there you can take a day trip to Ang Thong Marine Park (look up)... Ko samui itself isn't that beautiful...

I once spent shabbos there but stayed at a simple hotel.. There are a few decent hotels nearby though.. (decent doesn't mean chains, more the boutique type..)  look up tripadvisor http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g676072-Chaweng_Koh_Samui_Surat_Thani_Province-Hotels.html

You're at chaweng beach

Offline daganster

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #622 on: February 12, 2013, 04:27:40 AM »
Chaing Rai seems a little long unless you just wanna relax, there really isn't that much to see.. Golden triangle sounds better than it is...
Drago recommended that I go to Chiang Rai and take day trips to Loas and Burma. Do you recommend going there at all? If yes for how many days?

Offline mendoul

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #623 on: February 12, 2013, 05:09:46 AM »
or singapore or Vietnam
they both a cool place
mendy

Offline zvmiester

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #624 on: February 12, 2013, 06:38:01 AM »
which Chabad house?

whichever has the best shabbos vibes  ;D

Offline mendoul

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #625 on: February 12, 2013, 06:40:44 AM »
whichever has the best shabbos vibes  ;D

so for sure rabbi wilhelm there is aprox 200people every friday night

here are is infos
http://www.jewishthailand.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/913059/jewish/Bangkok.htm#Ohr_Menachem
look @ Accomodations

check this hotel is right accross a street http://www.viengtai.co.th/en/
mendy

Offline ChikkyMonkey

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #626 on: February 12, 2013, 10:34:33 AM »
Drago recommended that I go to Chiang Rai and take day trips to Loas and Burma. Do you recommend going there at all? If yes for how many days?

Are you just with wife? kids? What are you looking for?

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #627 on: February 12, 2013, 01:46:11 PM »
Drago recommended that I go to Chiang Rai and take day trips to Loas and Burma. Do you recommend going there at all? If yes for how many days?
I never did it myself. But from reading about it, it seems like it's an interesting option.

Offline Cbs

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #628 on: February 12, 2013, 03:52:53 PM »
so for sure rabbi wilhelm there is aprox 200people every friday night

here are is infos
http://www.jewishthailand.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/913059/jewish/Bangkok.htm#Ohr_Menachem
look @ Accomodations

check this hotel is right accross a street http://www.viengtai.co.th/en/
In high season there's 300 ppl average Friday night

That hotel is about 1800-2100 baht a night and it's Ok. I never slept there but I've heard reviews from ppl that did. Nothing to exciting.

Offline zvmiester

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #629 on: February 12, 2013, 04:44:11 PM »
Thanks alot im going in April so its 1700 a night

Offline Suave

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #630 on: February 12, 2013, 09:26:11 PM »
I'm still planning my trip and could use some help.
This is what I have so far:
My plan is to stay in Chiang Mai from  08/01 - 08/05
Then travel to chiang rai and stay there from 08/05 - 08/08
Then I have from 08/08 - 08/11 to go somewhere in the area. I initially planned on traveling to Koh Samui, but I was told earlier that there are no nice hotels near Chabad,  it's a flight to BKK - USM which isn't cheap and I'd like to stay near a Chabad house for shabbos if possible.
The question is if I'm already flying from CEI - USM ( Spending time and $$$) is there a better option in southeast Asia where I could go to a cool place and stay at a nice hotel near a Chabad house? Or Koh Samui is really that worth it and I should stick to that.

I stayed in FX Hotel in Koh Samui, (thats where the pesach sedarim took place) not very fancy but decent enough. (very good AC) 8 minute walk to chabad.
http://www.agoda.com/asia/thailand/samui/fx_resort_chaweng.html

Is phuket an option?
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Offline daganster

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #631 on: February 12, 2013, 10:07:30 PM »
so for sure rabbi wilhelm there is aprox 200people every friday night
I don't have much interest in Bangkok.
Are you just with wife? kids? What are you looking for?
It's just my wife and me. I'm looking to get a glimpse of the far east basically looking to see cool places and people.
I never did it myself. But from reading about it, it seems like it's an interesting option.
Do you recommend the lonely planet for Thailand? It sounds cool, so I think I'll head over to Chiang Rai on 08/04 in the evening on 08/06 fly to Koh Samui until 08/09 then I'll head over to Hong Kong until 08/12 since I'm flying out of HKG.
Or should I just skip Koh Samui and head over to Hong Kong after Chaing Rai and spend the extra time in Macau or Shenzhen?
 Your thoughts?
« Last Edit: February 12, 2013, 10:25:04 PM by daganster »

Offline daganster

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #632 on: February 12, 2013, 10:09:15 PM »
I stayed in FX Hotel in Koh Samui, (thats where the pesach sedarim took place) not very fancy but decent enough. (very good AC) 8 minute walk to chabad.
http://www.agoda.com/asia/thailand/samui/fx_resort_chaweng.html

Is phuket an option?
It seems like it's not the place to go in August, and I haven't read many good reviews on Phuket.

Offline PlatinumGuy

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #633 on: February 12, 2013, 10:10:10 PM »
Remember, Bangkok Shabbos is backpackers, Hong Kong Shabbos is business people
״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 #634 on: February 12, 2013, 10:24:19 PM »
Remember, Bangkok Shabbos is backpackers, Hong Kong Shabbos is business people
I did CNX+HKG+downtown MEL and each shul had a very unique flavor.  Was great.
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 #635 on: February 12, 2013, 10:24:58 PM »
It seems like it's not the place to go in August, and I haven't read many good reviews on Phuket.
not a place to take the wife :)
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Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #636 on: February 13, 2013, 01:44:37 AM »
It seems like it's not the place to go in August, and I haven't read many good reviews on Phuket.
Tons of beautiful islands you can visit close to Phuket.
We're going to stay in Khao Lak for 4 nights, Krabi for 3 and Phuket for 2.
It also seems that some parts oh Phuket are overrun, but other parts are quite and nice.

Offline mendoul

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #637 on: February 13, 2013, 02:47:35 AM »
Remember, Bangkok Shabbos is backpackers, Hong Kong Shabbos is business people

Singapore = HKG
« Last Edit: February 13, 2013, 03:09:00 AM by mendoul »
mendy

Offline Dan

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #638 on: February 13, 2013, 04:35:46 AM »
We're going to stay in Khao Lak for 4 nights, Krabi for 3 and Phuket for 2.
Wayyyyy too long.
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 #639 on: February 13, 2013, 04:52:00 AM »
Wayyyyy too long.
We discussed this already...
http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=305.msg386065#msg386065

Traveling w/ 3 young kids, and we don't want to be jumping all over the place.
Btw the national parks, some islands, hotel grounds, and some cultural sites, we'll have more than enough to do.
For now, I'm trying to add on a few days for somewhere after this. I'm considering flying to Bali for 4 nights or so, and from there using AA miles to fly from DPS - TLV.
Other options are Vietnam, Langkawi (sic), HKG, or ?