AIRPORT
INFORMATION:
Don
Muang International Airport or
Bangkok International Airport is
located 15 miles (22 km) from the center
of Bangkok. A tourist information
desk in the arrival hall is open from
8:00 A.M. to midnight. Participants
entering Thailand through Bangkok
International Airport can reach the
hotel by taxis that queue outside the
airport (around 1.3 USD or 50 Baht
surcharge on top of the metered fare)
or limousines (around 16 USD or 600
Baht). Airport tax of 500 Baht or 13 USD
for international flights is collected at
airport upon departure. The airport
tax of a domestic flight ticket bought
within Thailand is usually added to
the ticket fare automatically.
CLIMATE:
The average temperature in Bangkok
during the time of the congress is
expected at 30 Celsius for daytime and
25°C for evening.
CONGRESS VENUE:
Queen Sirikit National Convention
Center (QSNCC) is a world-class meeting
venue. The QSNCC is easily accessible
to the finest hotels. The underground
station is situated inside QSNCC. The
participant can reach QSNCC from
official hotels by underground transportation
and sky train.
|
CURRENCY:
There are 100 Satangs in 1 Baht. Notes
are issued in denominations of 1,000
Baht (gray), 500 Baht (purple), 100 Baht
(red), 50 Baht (blue), 20 Baht (green),
and Baht 10 (brown). There are 10,
5 and 1 Baht coin, and 50 and 25 Satang.
Most foreign currencies and traveller
cheques are easily changed at banks,
hotels or money-changers. All major
credit cards are widely accepted
throughout the kingdom. ATMs will
issue local currency.
LIABILITY AND INSURANCE
The 9th WPCCID organizers cannot
accept liability for personal injuries,
loss or damage to property belonging
to Congress participants (or their
accompanying persons), either during or
as a result of the Congress. Participants
and accompanying persons are encouraged
to obtain travel insurance
(medical, personal accident, and
luggage) in their own country prior to
departure.
LANGUAGE:
Thai is the official language of Thailand.
English is understood in most major
cities.
The official language of 9th WPCCID
is English. No translation nor
interpretation will be provided. |
|
REGISTRATION
HOURS
The registration desk is located at the reception hall. The registration
hours are as follows:
|
| Wednesday,
December 1, 2004 |
07.00
- 22.00 hrs. |
| Thursday,
December 2, 2004 |
07.00
- 19.00 hrs |
| Friday,
December 3, 2004 |
07.00
- 19.00 hrs |
| Saturday,
December 4, 2004 |
07.00
- 19.00 hrs |
| Sunday,
December 5, 2004 |
07.00
- 12.00 hrs |
TRAVEL
DESK:
A travel desk located at the reception
hall during the conference shall handle
all travel arrangements.
TIME:
Thailand time is 7 hours ahead of
Greenwich Mean Time.
VISA:
Visitors to Thailand who hold valid
passports or travelling documents
issued by any country included in the
officially issued list of eligible countries
are permitted one-month visa- free
visits*. If planning a longer stay, a tourist
visa, valid for 60 days must he obtained
from a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate
abroad. Visa extensions can be applied
for at the Immigration Department in
Bangkok. Residents of some countries
may be able to get a visa upon arrival,
while others must secure a visa ahead
of time. As this can change, please
consult the Thai Embassy or Consulate
for details.
*AMERICAS:
Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile,
Cyprus, Mexico, Peru, U.S.A. ASIA.
Bahrain, Brunei, Hong Kong Indonesia,
Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia,
Myanmar, Oman, Philippines, Qatar,
Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia,
Singapore, Turkey, United Arab
Emirates.
BARGAINING:
Fixed prices are the norm in department
stores, but at most other places
bargaining is to be expected.
VAT
There is a value added tax of 7% applied
to most items and services. Most hotels
and restaurants also add a 10% service
charge to the bill.
DRINKING WATER:
Tap water is not recommended for
drinking. Drink only bottled water.
Most hotels and large restaurants offer
bottled water and clean ice.
ELECTRICAL POWER:
The electrical current is 220V; 50Hz.
Dual-prong rounded plugs as well as
flat-pin plugs can be used in sockets.
Adaptors are available at most of the
hotels. For those coming from North
America with 110V160Hz appliances,
be sure to bring an appropriate transformer.
CONGRESS TRANSPORTATION:
Underground transportation and sky
train tickets will be provided to registered
participants and registered accompanying
persons. The congress organizers will
be responsible only the transportation
between the congress venue and the
congress official hotels.
|
PACIFIC:
Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua
New Guinea, Vanuatu, Western
Samoa.
AFRICA:
Djibouti, Egypt, Kenya, Mauritania,
Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia,
Yemen.
EUROPE:
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands,
Norway, Portugal, Slovene, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland, U.K.
HEALTH REGULATIONS:
No vaccinations are currently needed for
entering Thailand. It is recommended
that you are immunized against polio,
typhoid, tetanus and hepatitis A and B.
BUSINESS HOURS:
The private sector operates from 09.00
to 17.00, while the public sector operates
from 08.30 to 16.30, Monday to Friday,
except on public holidays. General
banking hours are Monday to Friday
09.30 to 15.30.
TIPPING.
Tipping is not a usual practice in
Thailand although it is becoming more
common. Most hotels and restaurants
add a 100/o service charge to the bill.
Taxi drivers do not require a tip, but the
gesture is appreciated.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT:
Metered taxis are available 24 hours
in Bangkok. The metered fare is
standardised, with the rate being 35 Baht
for the first 2 km and around 5 Baht
for each km thereafter. Passengers
must pay tolls if using the expressways.
Bangkok has an extensive bus service
with routes serving every part of the
city, providing an interesting and
cheap way to explore the city. There
are both air-conditioned and nonair-
conditioned vehicles. Sky-trains
have stations in major commercial
areas and departures every 5 minutes,
it is an ideal means of transportation to
escape the traffic. Running from 06.00
to midnight, the fare depends on
distance travelled, ranging from 10-40
Baht per person. Routes and fares are
posted at every station, where tickets
can be purchased. Underground transportation
will be opened in April 2004.
The underground station is situated
inside QSNCC.
CONGRESS INFORMATION
Opening and Closing Ceremonies
The opening ceremony will take place in
the Plenary Hall at 18.00 on Wednesday,
December 1, 2004. The keynote lecture
and welcome reception will follow the
opening ceremony. All registered delegates,
registered accompanying
persons, exhibitors, and media are
welcome. The closing ceremony will
be held in the Plenary Hall at 12.00 on
December 5, 2004.
Commercial Exhibition
Participants and accompanying persons
are invited to the 9th WPCCID Exhibition
at the Plenary Hall. The Exhibition
will be open from Thursday, December
2 to Saturday, December 4 during
08.00-17.00 and Sunday, December 5
during 08.00 to 12.00. |
|
|
|
|
