International Leprosy Summit: Overcoming the remaining challenges. Bangkok, Thailand, July General information for participants

Transcription

1 International Leprosy Summit: Overcoming the remaining challenges 1. Venue Hotel Dusit Thani Bangkok 946 Rama IV Road Bangkok 10500, Thailand Phone: +66 (0) Fax: +66 (0) Bangkok, Thailand, July 2013 General information for participants The hotel is adjacent to both sky train (BTS) and subway (MRT) systems with easy proximity to major business, shopping and entertainment centres. Restaurants and shops of Silom night market and entertainment area are all within walking distance. It is also easily accessible from any direction by road. Bangkok Survarnabhumi International Airport - 24 Kms Don Muang Airport Bangkok 25 Kms Railway station - 3 Kms BTS (Bangkok Transit System: Sala Daeng Station) - beside the hotel MRTA (Underground Metropolitan Railway Transport) - adjacent to the hotel 2. Accommodation Group booking of hotel rooms has been made in the Summit venue, Hotel Dusit Thani Bangkok Room category Superior room Deluxe room Executive suite Daily rate: Single / Double Baht 3200 / 3700 net Baht 4000 / 4590 net Baht 6500 net All participants are requested to send an confirming their choice of hotel accommodation. to be addressed to Ms Indu Arya with Cc to the other GLP team members: GLP team member Ms Indu Arya Dr Sumana Barua Dr Pemmaraju R Rao Mr Sharath Babu ID aryai@who.int baruas@who.int pemmarajuv@who.int babus@who.int Participants are responsible for settling their hotel bills directly.

2 3. Airport transfers Hotel will not provide free airport transfers. Please avail public transport or taxis. The Hotel can arrange airport pickup but the charges are almost double the taxi fare. Airport transfers will be arranged by WHO only for HE the Ministers. Route from Airport to Hotel Dusit Thani Bangkok: Travel towards Bangkok from the airport along the Rama IV Highway. At the major junction as you enter the city bear left onto the expressway to Rama IV Road. You will reach a crossroad, which intersects with Rama IV Road. Turn right here. The hotel will be on your left hand side in around ten minutes. 4. Passport and visa Your passport should have at least 6 months validity. It is recommended that visa be obtained prior to your travel to Bangkok, Thailand. Please note that the visa fee is not reimbursed by WHO. 5. Air tickets Please ensure that you have duly confirmed return travel tickets. It will be good to arrive on 23 July to enable attend the meeting from 24 July and to depart on 26 th July late night flight, to enable full participation at the Summit on 26 th July. In case late evening flight is not available on 26 July 2013, booking may be done for the first flight the following morning. 6. Expected Time of Arrival/Expected Time of Departure (ETA/ETD) All participants are requested to notify ETA/ETD well in advance by to Ms Indu Arya with Cc to other GLP team members: GLP team member Ms Indu Arya Dr Sumana Barua Dr Pemmaraju R Rao Mr Sharath Babu ID aryai@who.int baruas@who.int pemmarajuv@who.int babus@who.int 7. Airport The international airport is Suvarnabhumi International Airport which is located in Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan Province. It is about 24 Kms from the Summit venue/accommodation.

3 8. Thai local SIM cards for mobile phones Prepaid SIM cards (with international dialing facility) are easily available and can be purchased at airport arrival lounge or at super markets/general stores/grocery stores near the hotel. Or you may choose to purchase country-specific SIM card in your home country. 9. Currency The currency used in Thailand is Thai Baht. The UN operational exchange rate to 1 US dollar is +30 or 31 Baht (subject to change without notice). Facilities for exchange of foreign currencies are available at the banks and authorized money changers around the international airport and nearby the hotel. Major credit cards are also widely accepted in tourist centers. 10. Banks The country s central bank is the Bank of Thailand. Major Thai commercial banks include the Bangkok Bank, Siam Commercial Bank, Krung Thai Bank, Kasikorn Bank and Thai Military Bank. Their working hours are (Monday to Friday). All major banks have extended their office hours for the branches located in the shopping centers to hours for the working days and during the weekends. Several international banks also have offices in Thailand. 11. Health and medical facilities Bangkok has numerous clinics and hospitals catering to a variety of needs. Major public and private hospitals are equipped with the latest medical technology and internationally qualified specialists. Almost all pharmaceuticals are widely available. Drinking of tap water should be avoided. 12. Climate Thailand is a warm and humid tropical country with monsoonal climate. Temperatures are highest in March and April with average temperature from 28 to 38 degree Celsius and humidity averaging between 82.8% and 73%. June to October is the rainy season. December is the winter but the weather is not so cool. Cotton clothes are best suited for the climate in Thailand. 13. Electricity Electricity is supplied at 220 volts, 50 cycles, throughout the country.

4 14. Business hours Government and business offices are open from to hours, Monday to Friday. 15. Culture The Thai people are traditionally noted for their politeness, tolerance, peaceful way of life and love of freedom. Well over 90 per cent of the UN staff in Thailand are Thai nationals. 16. Contact persons in WHO Offices - UPDATED WHO Office WR Thailand Office of WHO Thailand 88/20 Permanent Secretary Building Ministry of Public Health Tiwanon Road, Nonthaburi Bangkok, Thailand. Tel: Fax: Global Leprosy Programe (GLP) World Health Organization Regional Office for South-East Asia (SEARO) World Health House Indraprastha Estate Mahatma Gandhi Marg New Delhi , India. Tel: , Contact person Khun Thitaree Khotchasenee Mobile: khotchaseneet@searo.who.int 1. Dr Sumana Barua Team Leader, GLP Mobile: (from 20 to 27 July 2013, Dr Barua will be at Bangkok in Hotel Dusit Thani Bangkok) 2. Dr Pemmaraju R Rao Mobile: (from 21 July 2013, Dr Rao will be at Bangkok in Hotel Dusit Thani Bangkok) 3. Ms Indu Arya Mobile: (from 21 July 2013, Ms Arya will be at Hotel Dusit Thani Bangkok) 4. Mr Sharath Babu Mobile: (from 21 July 2013, Mr Sharath will be at Hotel Dusit Thani Bangkok) 5. Ms Nanda Paithankar Tel: Mobile: paithankarna@who.int

5 17. Location map of hotel