Sometimes people are confused because the facts are not sufficiently stated and the communication is somehow broken. Making sure the message is getting through correctly is what I learned in my law classes.

Anyway.... I whole-heartedly agree REP is very difficult. I am also planning a trip to REP from HKG for this December and hoping to redeem some miles. I have spent a considerable amount of time educating myself with all the tricks, but insofar I have not had any luck. I have almost made up my mind to pay cash for a tix on Singapore and Silk Air. The ASEAN pass looks good but since you already know about it, I won't mention anymore. If you are a member of SQ's KrisFlyer though, you can then redeem the miles with Silk Air. That should open up some opportunities. Silk has several flights per day into REP, so that should give you some flexibility, too.

HKT should be much better. You mentioned about going to HKT soon after your arrival in BKK. If you don't have any commitment in BKK, you may consider going to HKT directly from ICN/HKG on your way from ORD. OZ, KE, and KA all fly to HKT (wiki). That may save you some trouble finding a flight from BKK. If not, TG should do the work, and US Airways' FFP should get you there for 25k miles rt. I was in HKT 8 months ago while I got two tix on Air Asia from HKG for less than $150 ai total, or $75 each.

Many if not all programs have its own redemption rate/chart in SE Asia. Other FTers have already named a few good ones.

I don't see Bangkok Air as DL's partner either, but Jetstar is (and Air Asia used to be).

I know I haven't answered all of your questions.... Honestly I really don't know where to start within that long paragraph. I am just assuming your highest priority is to spend your miles for award tickets even the rate is somewhat unreasonable. So my post just focuses in this area.