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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 732543 times)

Offline moish

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #640 on: February 13, 2013, 06:01:22 AM »

Offline mendoul

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #641 on: February 13, 2013, 06:10:51 AM »
not in my experience

why what was then?
mendy

Offline moish

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #642 on: February 13, 2013, 06:18:31 AM »
why what was then?
at the fri night meal in SIN was mostly tourists, by day we ate with the locals

Offline mendoul

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #643 on: February 13, 2013, 06:22:20 AM »
at the fri night meal in SIN was mostly tourists, by day we ate with the locals

yes but mostly business tourists
mendy

Offline moish

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #644 on: February 13, 2013, 06:33:51 AM »
yes but mostly business tourists
not ime, either way it cant be compared to hkg

Offline Suave

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #645 on: February 13, 2013, 08:36:34 AM »
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.
I stayed 2 weeks in Koh Phi Phi. It's nice.
Remember the movie 'The Beach' with Leonardo DiCaprio? It was filmed on an Island called Maya Bay which is a short boat ride away from Phi Phi.
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Offline ChikkyMonkey

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #646 on: February 13, 2013, 02:31:40 PM »
I don't have much interest in Bangkok. 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. 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?

Samui over Shenzhen or Macau! Couple days in he is enough... Part of Thailand experience are the islands..

Like I said a day trip from Sami to any thong marine park (islands) is worth the visit alone...

In the north if u wanna blow money and get the Thai experience check out the CR Four Seasons Tent Camp... As Thai as it gets

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #647 on: February 13, 2013, 02:35:51 PM »
In the north if u wanna blow money and get the Thai experience check out the CR Four Seasons Tent Camp... As Thai as it gets
Sure, b/c Thai's sleep in tents that cost over $500 per night :)

But they do look stunning.

Offline AJK

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #648 on: February 13, 2013, 02:58:19 PM »
Samui over Shenzhen or Macau! Couple days in he is enough... Part of Thailand experience are the islands..

Like I said a day trip from Sami to any thong marine park (islands) is worth the visit alone...

In the north if u wanna blow money and get the Thai experience check out the CR Four Seasons Tent Camp... As Thai as it gets

I thought about jumping over to Macau or schenzen while in HK, but when I saw they wanted smack me with nearly $150/pp in visa fees, I said they can keep their counterfeit goods and casinos :)

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 daganster

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #649 on: February 13, 2013, 11:08:45 PM »
Samui over Shenzhen or Macau! Couple days in he is enough... Part of Thailand experience are the islands..

Like I said a day trip from Sami to any thong marine park (islands) is worth the visit alone...

In the north if u wanna blow money and get the Thai experience check out the CR Four Seasons Tent Camp... As Thai as it gets
Fair enough I'll stick to my plan including Koh Samui.
So this is the plan
Chaing Mai 08/01 - 08/04
Chiang Rai 08-04 -08-06
Koh Samui 08-06-08-08
Bangkok night of 08
Hong kong 08-09 - 08-1
Which SPG hotel should I stay at in BKK? ( preferably near the airport)
Sure, b/c Thai's sleep in tents that cost over $500 per night :)

But they do look stunning.
I'm with you on that.
I thought about jumping over to Macau or schenzen while in HK, but when I saw they wanted smack me with nearly $150/pp in visa fees, I said they can keep their counterfeit goods and casinos :)
Thanks, I'll stick to HKG.

Offline PlatinumGuy

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #650 on: February 13, 2013, 11:24:49 PM »
I thought about jumping over to Macau or schenzen while in HK, but when I saw they wanted smack me with nearly $150/pp in visa fees, I said they can keep their counterfeit goods and casinos :)
Youll make up for the visa fees in cheaper hotels.
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline AJK

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #651 on: February 13, 2013, 11:42:35 PM »
Youll make up for the visa fees in cheaper hotels.

I'm only in HK for 36 hours. Not worth it as I'll be spending my one night in a Hyatt suite from a cert.
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 MAJ

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #652 on: February 14, 2013, 12:58:11 AM »
I thought about jumping over to Macau or schenzen while in HK, but when I saw they wanted smack me with nearly $150/pp in visa fees, I said they can keep their counterfeit goods and casinos :)
unless things changed since July, u don't need a visa for Macau

Offline Dan

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #653 on: February 14, 2013, 12:58:23 AM »
I thought about jumping over to Macau or schenzen while in HK, but when I saw they wanted smack me with nearly $150/pp in visa fees, I said they can keep their counterfeit goods and casinos :)
Huh? Macau has no fees.
And the Cirque-like water show is awesome and cheap and they allow photography!
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 zvmiester

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #654 on: February 14, 2013, 01:50:39 PM »
If s/o could help me out a bit that would be awesome!!!!
Im landing in Bangkok on friday apr 5th and leaving on the 15th so ill be there for 11 days. This trip is a honeymoon so i do want to spend alot of the time at a beach. what area would you recommend for that also being the time of year that were being there ?? Also we will be there for 2 shabbosim so i guess the 1st one we should prob spend in bangkok and well be able to go around a bit on fri and check out the sat night market and take a flight out on sunday but for the second shabb were would u suggest  we spend it ?? I do have some spg points but not enough for the whole trip so i was thinking renting out a villa for part of the time whats ur view on that as well??
thanks in advance!!!

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #655 on: February 14, 2013, 02:06:54 PM »
If s/o could help me out a bit that would be awesome!!!!
Im landing in Bangkok on friday apr 5th and leaving on the 15th so ill be there for 11 days. This trip is a honeymoon so i do want to spend alot of the time at a beach. what area would you recommend for that also being the time of year that were being there ?? Also we will be there for 2 shabbosim so i guess the 1st one we should prob spend in bangkok and well be able to go around a bit on fri and check out the sat night market and take a flight out on sunday but for the second shabb were would u suggest  we spend it ?? I do have some spg points but not enough for the whole trip so i was thinking renting out a villa for part of the time whats ur view on that as well??
thanks in advance!!!
Did you glance at this thread to see beach, shabbos, and SPG options?
Lots of good info

Offline AJK

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #656 on: February 14, 2013, 02:47:41 PM »
unless things changed since July, u don't need a visa for Macau

Ah, that's excellent news. Thanks. Maybe we WILL go check out the casinos for a bit.

Huh? Macau has no fees.
And the Cirque-like water show is awesome and cheap and they allow photography!

I'll add it to my list!

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 zvmiester

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #657 on: February 14, 2013, 03:03:27 PM »
Did you glance at this thread to see beach, shabbos, and SPG options?
Lots of good info
didnt see any1 going in april. whats the best island that time of year??

Offline Suave

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #658 on: February 14, 2013, 04:17:01 PM »
If s/o could help me out a bit that would be awesome!!!!
Im landing in Bangkok on friday apr 5th and leaving on the 15th so ill be there for 11 days. This trip is a honeymoon so i do want to spend alot of the time at a beach. what area would you recommend for that also being the time of year that were being there ?? Also we will be there for 2 shabbosim so i guess the 1st one we should prob spend in bangkok and well be able to go around a bit on fri and check out the sat night market and take a flight out on sunday but for the second shabb were would u suggest  we spend it ?? I do have some spg points but not enough for the whole trip so i was thinking renting out a villa for part of the time whats ur view on that as well??
thanks in advance!!!
It's a shame that you are leaving 2 days shy of Songkran ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songkran_(Thailand) )
Missing out on loads of fun.
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Offline Cbs

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #659 on: February 14, 2013, 04:26:50 PM »
It's a shame that you are leaving 2 days shy of Songkran ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songkran_(Thailand) )
Missing out on loads of fun.
I also missed out on it. It was on peach last year and I left for this exact days