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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 733181 times)

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #740 on: March 11, 2013, 12:18:57 PM »
Any resort in or near the main area should be fine. There are many.
If you need help finding one, let me know.

I have not been to krabi unfortunately, so can not say anything.

I'd be happy w/ a recommendation...

Offline businessmachine

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #741 on: March 11, 2013, 12:21:39 PM »
I'd be happy w/ a recommendation...

+1 to that

Offline ChikkyMonkey

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #742 on: March 12, 2013, 04:06:46 PM »

Following up on the above, I had to change up the reservation and pull it back 1 week in order to have availability at the Conrad MLE so my MLE leg will come first and then Thailand. I'll post info on that in the MLE thread.

With regards to Thailand, I was thinking 4 nights at the Conrad Koh Samui, then a flight to HKT and spending 3 nights there, before another flight to CNX for 3 or 4 nights before flying to bkk for the flight home to NY. Only downside is that I won't spend shabbat in cnx which I heard was cool and I'll also miss the sunday market.

So as of now we will spend 5 nights at MLE, 4 at USM, 3 in HKT, and 4 in CNX and fly on too many segments to count...you guys think this is too much??


Thanks!

I personally don't see why you are going to Phuket as well as Samui.. Having come from MLE where there's amazing beaches, underwater life, water sports... why bother going to two more beach cities? I would stick to one and spend more time in mainland Thailand or for that matter any neighboring countries...

Having been to all 3 places you mentioned seems a little repetitive..

Offline businessmachine

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #743 on: March 12, 2013, 06:11:53 PM »
I personally don't see why you are going to Phuket as well as Samui.. Having come from MLE where there's amazing beaches, underwater life, water sports... why bother going to two more beach cities? I would stick to one and spend more time in mainland Thailand or for that matter any neighboring countries...

Having been to all 3 places you mentioned seems a little repetitive..

This will be our first time in Thailand and my wife is a huge beach person. She's not the type to stay out in the country or go hiking. If it was up to her we would go back to Kauai and not travel to Asia at all.  I'm almost worried that 5 days in cnx may be too much :P.

I read the entire thread and it looks like both Samui and Phuket ( Phi Phi and surrounding) can be beautiful places to visit especially if we take day trips out to the different islands not to mention the amazing rooms we will have in the resorts. This is probably the longest time I will take off work for the next 10 years so I am trying to take advantage.


Offline ChikkyMonkey

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #744 on: March 12, 2013, 06:19:43 PM »
Fair enough...  just don't care for patong.. and Even samui wasn't my favorite.. prefer the smaller islands ko phangan ko tao etc..

Offline businessmachine

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #745 on: March 12, 2013, 06:22:53 PM »
Fair enough...  just don't care for patong.. and Even samui wasn't my favorite.. prefer the smaller islands ko phangan ko tao etc..

Did you stay on those smaller islands? I'm flexible to the point where I can stay on any island for 4 nights instead of patong which is why I was thinking of koh phi phi but if you have something better to recommend please do

Offline Suave

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #746 on: March 13, 2013, 01:49:48 AM »
If you want lots of beachtime, then perhaps a private island resort is more up your alley?
Or maybe the Holiday Inn Phi Phi aint so bad after all, worse come to worse - let her get her tan on while you do scuba or something solo.
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Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #747 on: March 13, 2013, 01:55:30 AM »
Did you stay on those smaller islands? I'm flexible to the point where I can stay on any island for 4 nights instead of patong which is why I was thinking of koh phi phi but if you have something better to recommend please do
There are absolutly stunning villas for rent on many of these islands.
Chk out this blog for some ideas.
http://www.neverendingvoyage.com/

And some Koh Lanta info.
http://www.neverendingvoyage.com/koh-lanta-guide/

Please do the emerald cave if you go, and let us know how it goes.

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #748 on: March 13, 2013, 09:35:32 AM »

Offline businessmachine

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #749 on: March 13, 2013, 09:43:30 AM »
There are absolutly stunning villas for rent on many of these islands.
Chk out this blog for some ideas.
http://www.neverendingvoyage.com/

And some Koh Lanta info.
http://www.neverendingvoyage.com/koh-lanta-guide/

Please do the emerald cave if you go, and let us know how it goes.

This actually sounds like a great idea. We can fly into HKT which is a boat ride away from Phi Phi or Koh Lanta. That emerald cave looks amazing!!!

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #750 on: March 13, 2013, 11:07:41 AM »
This actually sounds like a great idea. We can fly into HKT which is a boat ride away from Phi Phi or Koh Lanta. That emerald cave looks amazing!!!
Or fly into Krabi and be even closer to Koh Lanta and Phi Phi.

Offline businessmachine

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #751 on: March 13, 2013, 11:09:45 AM »
Or fly into Krabi and be even closer to Koh Lanta and Phi Phi.

Won't kosher food be an issue as there is no place to pickup food

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #752 on: March 13, 2013, 11:45:52 AM »
Won't kosher food be an issue as there is no place to pickup food
It would be, but you can always drive there, or just bring enough.

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #753 on: March 13, 2013, 11:51:53 AM »
Decent sale in Khao Lak.
http://www.travelzoo.com/local-deals/International/Getaway/43658
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but here is the fine print: Not available on: March 9-11, 16, 21-31; April 1-7

Pesach is out of the question.
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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #754 on: March 13, 2013, 11:53:12 AM »
Won't kosher food be an issue as there is no place to pickup food
BKK Chabad has a nice selection of Kosher L'pesach food. You can even try to have it shipped to your destinations
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Offline businessmachine

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #755 on: March 13, 2013, 11:54:43 AM »
BKK Chabad has a nice selection of Kosher L'pesach food. You can even try to have it shipped to your destinations

Thanks but i'm going in december so I don't think i'll want kosher for pesach food :)

I was referring to kosher food being an issue if  I stay on Krabi or Ko Lanta

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #756 on: March 13, 2013, 12:00:06 PM »
Thanks but i'm going in december so I don't think i'll want kosher for pesach food :)

I was referring to kosher food being an issue if  I stay on Krabi or Ko Lanta
After my years of traveling to 3rd world places i have become sort of a self proclaimed expert on improvised kosher kitchens.

A roll of silverfoil + a small grill + portable propane stovetop will feed a few starving Jews for less than $30
Buy whole fish at the market, vegetables etc...

Pas Paltur is not an issue in most places.
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Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #757 on: March 13, 2013, 12:05:54 PM »
After my years of traveling to 3rd world places i have become sort of a self proclaimed expert on improvised kosher kitchens.

A roll of silverfoil + a small grill + portable propane stovetop will feed a few starving Jews for less than $30
Buy whole fish at the market, vegetables etc...

Pas Paltur is not an issue in most places.
My plan exactly!
I'm going to bring cooking stuff, and then have Thai's cook for us so we can have 'authentic' food.
I'll speak w/ my LOR first, but I don't think she'll have a problem with it.

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #758 on: March 13, 2013, 12:15:25 PM »
My plan exactly!
I'm going to bring cooking stuff, and then have Thai's cook for us so we can have 'authentic' food.
I'll speak w/ my LOR first, but I don't think she'll have a problem with it.

 ;D - What a tzadik

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #759 on: March 13, 2013, 12:23:26 PM »