PEK-MNL actually isn't all that expensive, but the Phils are not on my list. Believe it or not, award availability is pretty good to HK and beyond on CX/KA, but at an absurdly high cost in miles. I've been research *A options (15k BD miles each way, including whatever stopovers I might be able to sneak in). TG is good to BKK, and presumably beyond, though I only checked KUL (yes) and BKI (no).

Regarding Ko Chang, I've done both the plane and the private car option, and found the latter to be a better value.