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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 744549 times)

Offline rots5

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1480 on: October 07, 2013, 03:09:06 PM »
Question on vaccinations.

Went to CDC website and found this:

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/thailand

We're going to Chiang Mai and Phuket. Kosher, so only eating Chabad food or what we bring with. Question, what vaccinations are necessary. Typhoid isn't covered by insurance, but it seems to apply only to people eating different foods there or going to small rural places, which we are not. It's $130, which is quite high. However, we do plan on doing an elephant excursion, and will be in the water with them. If anyone could chime in for what they were told, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!
nothing.
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline moish

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1481 on: October 07, 2013, 06:38:33 PM »
Question on vaccinations.

Went to CDC website and found this:

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/thailand

We're going to Chiang Mai and Phuket. Kosher, so only eating Chabad food or what we bring with. Question, what vaccinations are necessary. Typhoid isn't covered by insurance, but it seems to apply only to people eating different foods there or going to small rural places, which we are not. It's $130, which is quite high. However, we do plan on doing an elephant excursion, and will be in the water with them. If anyone could chime in for what they were told, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!
i would recommend going to a travel clinic or making sure you are up to date with your vaccination boosters

Offline Suave

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Re: Thailand Master Thread - Vaccinations
« Reply #1482 on: October 08, 2013, 12:44:46 AM »
Question on vaccinations.

Went to CDC website and found this:

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/thailand

We're going to Chiang Mai and Phuket. Kosher, so only eating Chabad food or what we bring with. Question, what vaccinations are necessary. Typhoid isn't covered by insurance, but it seems to apply only to people eating different foods there or going to small rural places, which we are not. It's $130, which is quite high. However, we do plan on doing an elephant excursion, and will be in the water with them. If anyone could chime in for what they were told, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!
If you are not frolicking around with locals and/or partaking in local 'fressery' then you should be fine.  But I would recommend measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot. Hep A & Typhoid wouldn't hurt. Hep B would not be necessary (based on what you have mentioned).

Lots of mosquitos....tiny chance of Malaria, bigger chance of Dengue.
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Offline rots5

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1483 on: October 08, 2013, 09:50:46 AM »
If you are not frolicking around with locals and/or partaking in local 'fressery' then you should be fine.  But I would recommend measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot. Hep A & Typhoid wouldn't hurt. Hep B would not be necessary (based on what you have mentioned).

Lots of mosquitos....tiny chance of Malaria, bigger chance of Dengue.
All this is required by most jobs businesses and yeshivas now a days. But as  sauve said as long as ur staying jewish u should be fine.
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 #1484 on: October 16, 2013, 03:53:00 PM »

Offline rots5

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

Offline yoshapman

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Best CNX Tours
« Reply #1486 on: October 21, 2013, 12:52:15 AM »
Only gonna have 2 full days in CNX (coming in Friday morning, leaving Tues mid-day) in January. So for a full-day Sunday and Monday itinerary with tours only, what would one recommend here. The safer the better (for my wife's sake). Must do are elephant activities and tiger sanctuary. If one could also include price and the best place to book the tours, I'd appreciate it. I don't mind spending a little more for a better and more "English/Americanized" tour, since my wife has a lot of worry about going to a third-world country. We'll be staying at the LM.

There are a lot of high-ranked elephant tours on Tripadvisor, with Patara being highest (though most expensive by a lot), so I'm really unsure what to do about that.

Thanks!

Offline Cbs

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1487 on: October 21, 2013, 12:58:57 AM »
Only gonna have 2 full days in CNX (coming in Friday morning, leaving Tues mid-day) in January. So for a full-day Sunday and Monday itinerary with tours only, what would one recommend here. The safer the better (for my wife's sake). Must do are elephant activities and tiger sanctuary. If one could also include price and the best place to book the tours, I'd appreciate it. I don't mind spending a little more for a better and more "English/Americanized" tour, since my wife has a lot of worry about going to a third-world country. We'll be staying at the LM.

There are a lot of high-ranked elephant tours on Tripadvisor, with Patara being highest (though most expensive by a lot), so I'm really unsure what to do about that.

Thanks!
i'd love to help you but theres just so much i can repeat.. - ill say go to the Yisrael guy next door to chabad when u land and he'll arranage it all

i'll let rots handle this . Chikkey, Dan, AJK and I did our share :P

Offline rcarentals

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1488 on: October 21, 2013, 01:05:33 AM »
This thread has quite a thorough wiki!!! Great resource! Helped a lot for a holiday I just planned for a client.. Thanks!
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Offline rots5

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1489 on: October 21, 2013, 02:17:28 AM »
Only gonna have 2 full days in CNX (coming in Friday morning, leaving Tues mid-day) in January. So for a full-day Sunday and Monday itinerary with tours only, what would one recommend here. The safer the better (for my wife's sake). Must do are elephant activities and tiger sanctuary. If one could also include price and the best place to book the tours, I'd appreciate it. I don't mind spending a little more for a better and more "English/Americanized" tour, since my wife has a lot of worry about going to a third-world country. We'll be staying at the LM.

There are a lot of high-ranked elephant tours on Tripadvisor, with Patara being highest (though most expensive by a lot), so I'm really unsure what to do about that.

Thanks!
in short go to yisrael, 669 tours. get there early ish sunday. (or even sat night)reserve ogev (i thikn thats his name - his driver)

he has a very comfortable car and he will drive yuou to the right places. he knows good and well what your looking for and hes crazy cheap!
monkeys, elephants, tigers, snakes long necks, and alligators

i didnt do alligators, but there all with in 20 min of eachother once u get to that part of CNX.it wont be a complete full day, but then again you wanna get back early enogh to go get supper and go to the sunday night market, which is super overwhelming but very very enjoyable. it has a lot more than the regular market outside LMCNX. also i would advise u to not go to the sat night market, it was a complete waste in my opinion.

and monday try to speak to yisrael and maybe ur wife will want to do zip lining. my wife was not a huge fan but since its once in a lifetime she did it. she liked it a lot. ajk and others did flight of the squirrel, i did eagle track. there are 3 levels with them. i did the med one, it was perfect nothing to scary. flight of the squirrel is i think a bit more advanced and has a lot other fun stuff besdies zip line. so does eagle track, it was just zipping all day, it was ropes here and there and cool walking on bridges and so on. its also not a full entire day, but def very enjoyable.

hope this helps 
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 #1490 on: October 21, 2013, 03:56:27 AM »
Any Israeli tour agents in southern Thailand?

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1491 on: October 21, 2013, 06:14:34 AM »
Ahh, the good old days when these deals could last w/o s/o publicizing them so that 1,000's jump in...
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hotel-deals/631551-rate-gone-le-meridien-khao-lak-100-ugandan-shillings.html

To bad I didn't know what Thailand was back then.

Offline daganster

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1492 on: October 21, 2013, 09:57:32 AM »
Any Israeli tour agents in southern Thailand?
Where in southern Thailand? There's one very friendly Israeli agency in Samui right next door to Chabad.

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1493 on: October 21, 2013, 10:33:27 AM »
Where in southern Thailand? There's one very friendly Israeli agency in Samui right next door to Chabad.
Yup, I used them. Isratour iirc.

There are about 4 popular ones in koh samui, merkaz lemetayel etc.

In Phuket there are a few as well. (One next to chabad as well)
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Offline AJK

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1494 on: October 21, 2013, 10:47:22 AM »
Ahh, the good old days when these deals could last w/o s/o publicizing them so that 1,000's jump in...
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hotel-deals/631551-rate-gone-le-meridien-khao-lak-100-ugandan-shillings.html

To bad I didn't know what Thailand was back then.

Without having to go through 81 pages, I'm assuming they honored?
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Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1495 on: October 21, 2013, 11:32:04 AM »
Without having to go through 81 pages, I'm assuming they honored?
It seems like they honored up to one reservation per person, and they were 3 nights each.
Although I'm only on page 71, so I'll let you know when I finish.

Offline E

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1496 on: October 27, 2013, 12:35:03 PM »
Any real reason not to rent car in thailand ?

Offline Dan

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1497 on: October 27, 2013, 12:37:59 PM »
Definitely not.
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 rots5

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1498 on: October 28, 2013, 03:59:46 PM »
Any real reason not to rent car in thailand ?
thgey drive on the other side of the road. secondly, there nuts and its pennies for taxis why drive?
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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1499 on: October 28, 2013, 05:21:23 PM »
thgey drive on the other side of the road. secondly, there nuts and its pennies for taxis why drive?
+100
Why deal with directions, motorbikes, foreign signs, missing out on scenery, etc, when you can hire a driver w/ e/t included for $30-$50 per day, which includes gas, water, a guide (if they're English is decent), and so on?