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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 732372 times)

Offline AJK

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1240 on: July 08, 2013, 03:40:54 PM »
I did Tiger Kingdom, Mae Sah Elephant Show, Snake Show, Crocodile Show and ATV.

Scheduled nothing beforehand.

In lieu of my TR, here's something to hold you over.

Do all of the animal stuff on Thursday with a driver: tigers, mae sa elephants, snakes, crocodile, etc. If you're good, you can probably throw ATV'ing in there, too. We did.

Friday, do ziplining. You'll be done in plenty enough time for shabbas.
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 rots5

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1241 on: July 08, 2013, 03:45:40 PM »
I did Tiger Kingdom, Mae Sah Elephant Show, Snake Show, Crocodile Show and ATV.

Scheduled nothing beforehand.

your a Scholar and a gentleman!
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1242 on: July 08, 2013, 05:20:29 PM »
your a Scholar and a gentleman!
and is potential for sainthood as well, at least according to press reports

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1243 on: July 08, 2013, 05:21:44 PM »
dan,
Did you end up doing all these in one day? If so did you have to schedule anything before hand? How long did it all take. Last q: did the taxi know where to go?

Anyone else can please answer too!
We had hired a driver for a day who took us to most of these places for a low fee.
It was nice being by ourselves in the van.
I forgot the cost, but was probably around 60-80.

Offline Dan

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1244 on: July 08, 2013, 05:23:50 PM »
We had hired a driver for a day who took us to most of these places for a low fee.
It was nice being by ourselves in the van.
I forgot the cost, but was probably around 60-80.
Sounds very high.
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 #1245 on: July 08, 2013, 05:24:20 PM »
We had hired a driver for a day who took us to most of these places for a low fee.
It was nice being by ourselves in the van.
I forgot the cost, but was probably around 60-80.

60-80 dollars?

Ours only cost 800 baht... and had a brand new leather SUV.
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 rots5

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1246 on: July 08, 2013, 05:28:50 PM »
60-80 dollars?

Ours only cost 800 baht... and had a brand new leather SUV.
ajk. Was it just u and ur wife or a public tour? Maybe drago was more bec he had more ppl
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline AJK

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1247 on: July 08, 2013, 05:33:20 PM »
Private.
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 #1248 on: July 08, 2013, 05:35:00 PM »
60-80 dollars?

Ours only cost 800 baht... and had a brand new leather SUV.
Ours may have been a bit lower.
It included Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai so it was a bunch of driving as well.
But it def wasn't a leather SUV

Can ppl add into the wiki the names/numbers of the drivers they used (if they recommend them).

Offline rots5

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1249 on: July 08, 2013, 05:42:17 PM »
Ours may have been a bit lower.
It included Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai so it was a bunch of driving as well.
But it def wasn't a leather SUV

Can ppl add into the wiki the names/numbers of the drivers they used (if they recommend them).
drago. TR?

If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline rots5

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1250 on: July 10, 2013, 08:46:14 AM »
do i hire a taxi thru the hotel or try to pick one up, when i arrive in Phuket airport?

i am looking at the mapping out, it seems like tiger kingdom is 50 min away from mae se elphant, does that make sense?
« Last Edit: July 10, 2013, 08:55:43 AM by rots5 »
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1251 on: July 10, 2013, 10:36:14 AM »
do i hire a taxi thru the hotel or try to pick one up, when i arrive in Phuket airport?

i am looking at the mapping out, it seems like tiger kingdom is 50 min away from mae se elphant, does that make sense?
If you hire a driver for the day, they'll take you everywhere you want to go.
I'll try to find and post the sample itin's they gave me in a few hrs when I'm home.

Offline rots5

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1252 on: July 10, 2013, 10:41:11 AM »
If you hire a driver for the day, they'll take you everywhere you want to go.
I'll try to find and post the sample itin's they gave me in a few hrs when I'm home.
Thanks. Im not worries about the driver.

Im arriving thurs at 820 am. Trying to take ajk's advice and do it all on thirs, but Not sure if i can get Mae se in bec the last ones at 130. Or should i try to do some thurs and some fri. And Sunday do either zip line or a tribes tour.
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1253 on: July 10, 2013, 10:43:29 AM »
Thanks. Im not worries about the driver.

Im arriving thurs at 820 am. Trying to take ajk's advice and do it all on thirs, but Not sure if i can get Mae se in bec the last ones at 130. Or should i try to do some thurs and some fri. And Sunday do either zip line or a tribes tour.
A driver who you've already scheduled w/ is good b/c they can tell you how much stuff you can squeeze into a day, and you'll more flex than a cab.

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1254 on: July 10, 2013, 11:30:00 AM »
Paging AJK!

Any update on that Trip Report??? I'm putting all my Thailand plans on hold until I read your report :)

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1255 on: July 10, 2013, 11:46:33 AM »
Great news, seems Tiger Kingdom in Phuket opened yesterday

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1256 on: July 10, 2013, 12:15:38 PM »
For those that flew out of the NY/NJ area, what was your airline,routing,class,how many miles and what was the taxes on the flight?

TIA
Quaerite et Invenietis.

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1257 on: July 10, 2013, 12:18:01 PM »
My wife is 95% finished. I should begin posting over the weekend, hopefully.
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

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1258 on: July 10, 2013, 01:19:40 PM »
Nice! Can't wait to read it.


@ Marco

I have a trip planned for late Dec/Jan - Used 120k UA + 15k Avios each for NY-MLE(6 days)-BKK(14 days)-HKG(2 days) all in J.

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1259 on: July 10, 2013, 01:34:18 PM »
For those that flew out of the NY/NJ area, what was your airline,routing,class,how many miles and what was the taxes on the flight?

TIA

JFK-YVR-HKG in CX J = $0.00 (don't ask).
HKG-CNX in KA Y = 7.5K BA + ~$45
CNX-USM in PG Y = $230
USM-BKK-...-FRA...-NYC in TG F and LH F = 70K UA + ~$125
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