An International Conference on: Language, Education and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) November 9-11, 2010 Twin Towers Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand 1. Date 9 11 November 2010 ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION 2. Venue The Twin Towers Hotel 88 Rong Muang, Rama 6 Road, Patumwan, Bangkok 10330 Thailand Tel: +662 216 9555 Fax: +662 216 9544 Email : info@thetwintowershotel.com Website: http://www.thetwintowershotel.com 3. Conference Website Please visit the conference website http://www.seameo.org/languagemdgconference2010/ to view the conference agenda and check for updates. 4. Accommodation All participants are responsible to make own arrangements for accommodation directly with the hotel of your choice. Here are few options to look at: The Twin Towers Hotel (near Hua Lam Pong Train Station) Address: 88 Rong Muang Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand Tel: +66 (0) 2216-9555 Fax: +66 (0) 2216-9544 Email: catering@thetwintowershotel.com http://www.thetwintowershotel.com Room rates: Thai guest = Single: Baht 1,200/ Twin: Baht 1,400 Non-Thai guest = Single: Baht 1,900/ Twin: Baht 2,100 *Please note that you need to inform the hotel that you are an MDGs Conference 2010 participant for the special room rates above. (Contact Ms. Dussadee, Sales Manager). Reservation form of the Twin Towers Hotel can be downloaded from the Travel & Accommodations Menu of the conference website. Bangkok Centre Hotel (opposite Hua Lam Pong Train Station) Address: 328 Rama IV Road, Bangkok 10500, Thailand Tel: +66 (0) 2238-4980 to 99, 2238-4848 to 57 Fax: +66 (0) 2236-1862 Email: bkkcentrehotel@hotmail.com http://www.bangkokcentrehotel.com Room rates: Thai guest = Single: Baht 1,200/ Twin: Baht 1,400 Non-Thai guest = Single: Baht 1,600/ Twin: Baht 1,800 *Please note that you may get special rates for internet booking. However, all the prices shown above are subject to 7% Value Added Tax.
Mandarin Hotel (opposite main railway station Hua Lam Pong) Address: 662 Rama IV Road, Bangkok 10500 Thailand Tel: +66 (0) 2238-0230 to 58 Fax: (662) 237-1620 Email: mandarin@mandarin-bkk.com http://www.mandarin-bkk.com Room rates Single/Double: Baht 1,400 *Please note that you may get special rates for internet booking. Patumwan Princess Hotel (adjacent to Mah Boon Krong Shopping Centre and Siam Square) Address: 444 MBK Centre, Phayathai Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand Tel: +66 (0) 2216-3700 Fax: +66 (0) 2216-3730 Email: anchisa.ar@dusit.com http://www.pprincess.com Room rates: Single: Baht 3,500/ Twin: Baht 3,700 Muangphol Mansion Address: 931/9 Soi Kasem San 1, Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan Bangkok 10330, Thailand Tel: +66 (0) 2 219-4445 Fax: +66 (0) 2216-8053 Email: info@kritthaimansion.com http://www.kritthaimansion.com Room rates: Single: Baht 800/ Twin: Baht 900 Reno Hotel Address: 40 Soi Kasem San1, Rama 1 Road Pathumwan. Bangkok 10330, Thailand Tel: +66 (0) 2215-0026, 2612-3096 Fax: +66 (0) 2215-3430 Email: renohotel@bblife.com Prices start at Baht 890 rising to 1,000 per night. Remarks: All prices are subject to change without prior notice. Please confirm current prices with the guest houses/hotels concerned 5. Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) If participants are receiving full scholarship, DSA will be provided in Thai Baht in equivalence of USD 15 per day for 3 days to cover the cost of dinner and incidental expenses. 6. Visa The participants are required to contact the Royal Thai Embassy in their respective country and to apply for visa on their own. According to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affair s website (http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2637.php), all tourist visa fees are waved as of May 2010 until March 2011. If the participants encounter any problems with the visa, please inform the conference organizer immediately (contact details provided below). 7. Lunch During the seminar period (3 5 November 2010), lunch will be provided. 8. Dinner A reception dinner will be provided only on 9 November for all participants. On 10 and 11 November, you have to find a place to have your evening meal. This will not be difficult, however, as the Twin Towers hotel is in a popular tourist area of Bangkok, within a short walking distance to hundreds of restaurants in all price categories. More dining options can be found at the nearby malls and shopping centers. Closest to the Twin Towers Hotel are the Tesco Lotus Supercenter and Mah Boon Khrong 2
Shopping Center, which are large and fancy malls with some excellent dining and shopping. An inexpensive food court can be easily found in every shopping center around the hotel. The cheapest meals can be found at little coffee shops or noodle shops open to the street, or street side stalls for approximately 30 Baht or equivalent to 1 USD. Food hygiene is generally quite good in Bangkok, but use common sense when dining at the street side stalls. Convenience stores, such as Family Mart and 7-11, can be found at almost every street corner, and they sell snacks and drinks at much cheaper prices than at the hotel or in your room s mini-bar. There are several Starbucks and other coffee shops and cafes in the vicinity for those not happy with the Thai instant coffee provided at the hotel. 9. Registration For all participants, registration for the conference will take place in the 3 rd floor at the Twin Towers Hotel from 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, 9 November 2010.There will be preregistration available at the lobby from 5:00p.m. to 7:00p.m. on Monday 8 November 2010 for those who arrive early. The seminar will begin at 8:30 a.m. 10. Practicalities The participants are responsible for ensuring that they are in possession of a valid passport (with at least 6-month validity beyond the travel date) and other required travel documents. It is recommended that participants contact their nearest Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate or visit the website of the Thai Ministry of Affair for further details: http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2637.php 11. Exchange Rate The current exchange rate is approximately THB 30.60 to USD 1.00 (as of October 2010). You may change your money at the exchange counter in the arrival lounge at the airport bank rates. ATMs are also located at various locations in a walking distance from your hotel (for exact locations please ask the front desk). 12. Weather and Attire The weather in Bangkok at the time of the conference should be hot and humid in the daily temperature range of 22-32 C. Only light clothing will be necessary for outdoors but it is worth noting that the hotel is fully air-conditioned, therefore it is advisable that you pack appropriate clothing. Please also note that an occasional rain is expected at this time in Thailand and an umbrella will be useful. 13. Transport to the Hotel Bangkok s Suvarnamhumi airport is located about 30km east of Bangkok. Please refer to the following web site for a map of the Suvarnabhumi International Airport: http://www.bangkokairportonline.com/node/85. There is only one terminal for departure and arrival of international and domestic flights, and the arrival lounge is located on the level 2. There are three exits in the arrival lounge: A, B, and C. Exits B and C are for international arrivals. Participants are responsible for transport arrangement from and to the airport. You have three ways to get to the downtown: public taxi (metered), airport bus, and limousine/taxi: 3
Public taxi: The simplest way to travel from the Suvarnabhumi International Airport to the Twin Towers Hotel and other choices of accommodation is by taxi. As you exit immigration, you will be approached by numerous people encouraging you to use their taxi service. There have been reports of illegal taxi operators so we encourage you to use either the public meter taxi or airport limousine. To use the public meter taxi, look for the sign Public Taxi with arrow pointing outside the Terminal building. Exit from the arrival hall, through the revolving doors. There will be a line of metered taxis on the road just outside the building. Look for a table with attendants. Go to this table to make arrangements for your taxi. Do not try to flag down a taxi on your own. Show the attendants at the taxi desk the directions (in Thai) below or tell them your alternative destination. They will issue you a paper ticket with two parts. The smaller part goes to the taxi driver. You keep the larger part in case of any problems with the taxi service. Please print this direction in Thai language and show it to the taxi drivers at the airport. กร ณาพาผ โดยสารท านน ไปย งโรงแรมแห งน ด วยคร บ โรงแรมเดอะทว น ทาวเวอร The Twin Towers Hotel เลขท 88 ถ. พระราม 6 รองเม อง เขตปท มว น กร งเทพฯ 10330 โทร. 02-216-9555 Paying the taxi driver. When you get into the taxi, make sure that the taxi driver turns on the meter. If the taxi driver takes the tollway to the hotel (usually a good idea!) you will pay the additional toll way charges of Baht 40-65. (This is why it s nice to get some 20 baht notes when you exchange currency at the airport.) When you reach your hotel, you must pay the taxi driver an airport surcharge of 50 Baht, in addition to the fare on the meter. If you forget, the taxi driver will remind you. He is not trying to cheat you. This is a legitimate charge that the passenger is required to pay. (If your meter reads 280 then you will need to add 50 to that and pay 330 Baht.) The fare to the Twin Towers Hotel from the airport should be around Baht 300-400, plus airport surcharge and tollway costs, and will take approximately 30-45 minutes depending on the time of the day. Note: Taxi drivers in Bangkok do not give receipts. If you need a receipt, you will have to write the charges on the taxi ticket given to you at the taxi desk. Airport bus: Airport Express (bus) provides air-conditioned bus service between the Suvarnabhumi Airport and first-class Bangkok hotels, and is found on Level 1. Airport Express operates 4 bus routes to downtown. Take AE4, Suvarnabhumi Hua 4
Lamphong bus. As the bus does not stop at the Twin Towers Hotel, it is best to exit at Hua Lumpong Railway Station to get to the Twin Towers Hotel. The cost is 150 Baht for the entire route. http://www.bangkokairportonline.com/node/55 Limousine: To get a limousine, contact the Limousine Service Center at the Arrival level. Limousine pickup area is located along the outer curb right outside the terminal building. Please be advised that the limousine services in Bangkok are much more costly than public taxis (metered) in general, ranging from 1000 up to 1500 Baht per car. Airport Link: the Airport Link connecting downtown Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi airport began commercial services 23 August, 2010 with special discount fares offered until the end of 2010. The Airport Link s city line is running every 15 minutes and the Express Line will run every 30 minutes. Both lines operate from 6am to midnight. Please check the website: http://www.bangkokairporttrain.com/ for further information. The Airport Link to Suvarnabhumi Airport will provide 2 Transit options: A Direct Express Train that will take 15 minutes from the City Air Terminal (Makkasan) train station. This service will connect to the city s mass transit subway system. Passengers will have the opportunity of checking in their luggage at the City Air Terminal, before boarding the express train to Suvarnabhumi airport. The fare is 100 baht per trip. However, the fare will be raised to 150 baht after the check-in system are fully set up at Makkasan station. The Commuter Train will make eight stops throughout the city, taking 30 minutes to travel the 28 kilometers (17 miles) to the airport and linking with both the *Subway and **Skytrain systems in Bangkok. Passengers have to pay a flat rate of 15 baht for a trip during the promotion period. Fares will range from 15 baht to 45 baht, depending on the distance travelled, after Jan 1, 2011. Subway Link: Phetchaburi station for MRT (subway) Blue line ** Sky Train: Phayathai Station for BTS Sukhumvit line. A location map of the Twin Towers Hotel is attached on the next page, for detailed direction, please check the website: http://www.thetwintowershotel.com Further Information Correspondence related to the conference may be addressed to: Ms. Benchamas Yospituck, International Conference Secretariat Coordinator Email: langmdg2010@gmail.com Tel: +66-2-800-2308 ext. 3405; Fax: +66-2-800-2332 5
Ms. Kyungah Kristy Bang, MLE Secretariat Coordinator Tel.: +66-2-391-0577 (ext. 309); Fax: +66-2-391-0866 E-mail: k.bang@unesco.org Credit Card & ATM: OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION You can use your credit card to withdraw money from local ATMs that offer this service. Credit Cards can also be used to pay for some restaurants and shops. MasterCard, Visa and American Express Credit Cards are widely accepted in Thailand. Electricity: The standard voltage in Thailand is 220 Volts at 50Hz. Plugs are Type A (flat blade attachment plug) and Type C (round pin attachment plug). Health: All major cities and towns are malaria-free, but if you plan to travel to rural areas, it may be advisable to seek advice from your doctor regarding prevention of malaria. Mosquito repellents are available locally. It is not advisable to drink tap water anywhere in Thailand. Most hotels and restaurants provide bottled water. It is generally safe to take ice in established hotels, but we suggest you avoid ice in drinks in small restaurants and from roadside vendors. If you wish to consult a doctor during your stay in Bangkok the usual way is to visit a hospital or clinic. Most major hospitals and clinics usually have doctors who speak English. There are three private hospitals near the Hotel. Detailed information can be obtained from the hotel. 6
Getting Around Bangkok: The main options for visitors are hotel limousine, taxi, BTS skytrain and subway. It is advisable that you should have a business card of the hotel in your pocket when you go out. (Please ask the card from the check-in counter of the hotel). Traffic is very heavy in Bangkok, especially during peak hours in the mornings and early evenings; ask for advice as to how long it will take to get somewhere. Taxis Metered taxis are generally available and all have the sign taxi-meter on the roof. It is advisable to ask the hotel staff to write down the destination in Thai as not all drivers understand English. Exercise caution when getting a taxi. It is usually best to hail a moving taxi, which will have a red light at the windscreen if it is available for hire. Stationary taxis may expect you to bargain for a price, rather than use the meter. Please ensure that the taxi meter is switched on, showing a red display of the number 35 (which is the minimum fare charge) at the bottom of the dashboard, before you start your journey. Skytrain (BTS) - overhead monorail The Skytrain (BTS) is the fastest and the most convenient way to travel TO MANY DESTINATIONS in Central Bangkok. The Twin Towers Hotel is within walking distance to the BTS Skytrain station National Stadium. Subway-underground (MRT) The NEAREST MRT Subway station to the Twin Towers Hotel is Hua Lamphong station. VAT Refund for Tourists: All tourists from overseas are eligible to apply the VAT refunds as follows: Shop at the store displaying "VAT Refund for Tourists" sign and ask for the Form P.P 10 and original tax invoice when you purchase is at least 2,000 Baht Total purchases have to be 5,000 Baht/ person (VAT included) or more, to qualify for the VAT refund. Before checking in at the airport, show your purchases, completed P.P 10 s and tax invoice (s) to the Custom Officer for inspection at the Custom Office. Hand-carried luxury goods such as jewellery, gold ornament, watches must be reinspected at the VAT Refund Office after the passport control at the airport. Tourist Information and Assistance: 7
Before leaving your country for Thailand, you can obtain useful information and plan your itinerary by visiting your nearest travel agent for assistance. The Thai government has numerous embassies and consulates around the world and most have a tourism department which can provide you with basic information and travel advice for different regions of the country. For information on foreign consulates in Thailand you can visit the Thai foreign ministry website at: http://www.mfa.go.th/. This official site provides contact information and addresses for foreign missions in the Country which may come in handy in case of emergencies including the loss of your passport. The useful websites for the information on Thailand are: www.thaiway.com www.tourismthailand.org www.bangkoktourist.com Easy Thai Language: Basic Greeting and Phases Hello/Good morning Thank you Never mind The bill, please How are you? Fine, thank you. I cannot speak Thai Please speak slowly Do you understand? May I use the telephone Where is the rest room How much does it cost? What is this? Very expensive! Do you have something cheaper? Yes No OK Have Don't have Sorry, excuse me Sawadee krub/kha* Khob khan krub/kha Mai pen rai krub/kha Kho bill duay kub/kha Sabai dee mai? Sabai dee, knob khan. Chan phood Thai mai dai Karuna phood chaa chaa Khun Kao jai mai? Kho chai torasap dai mai? Hong nam yoo nai? Ra-ka thao rai? Nee khue a-rai? Phaeng maak! Mee thook kwaa nee mai? Chai Mai chai Tok-long Mee Mai-mee. Kho thot krub/kha 8
Pleased to meet you Good Luck Good bye See you again Turn right, turn left Go straight Dee jai thee dai phob khun Choke dee La-kon Laew phob kan mai Liew khwaa, Liew saai Throng-pai Kha is for female Krub is for male 9