Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Cooperation Program SENIOR OFFICIALS MEETING (SOM) FIFTH GMS ECONOMIC CORRIDORS FORUM (ECF-5) GMS BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FORUM (BOF) 6-8 August 2013 INFORMATION NOTE This Information Note is provided for the guidance of the participants based on available information as of the date of the note. I. MEETING VENUE 973 Ploenchit Road, Bangkok, 10330 Thailand HOLIDAY INN BANGKOK 971 Ploenchit Road, Bangkok, 10330 Thailand Tel. No.: +662 656 0444 Fax No.: +662 656 0994 Contact Person/Position: kittima mongkolsrisupakit (Ms.), Senior Sales Manager Email: kittima.mongkolsrisupakit@ihg.com A. Senior Officials Meeting cum Regional Investment Framework Steering Committee Meeting 6 August 2013 Ballroom 2 4 th Floor
B. Fifth Economic Corridors Forum (ECF-5) 7 August 2013 Grand Ballroom 4th Floor C. VIP Holding Room 7 August 2013 President 4 4th Floor D. Press Conference Room 7 August 2013 Pinnacle 4 4th Floor E. GMS Business Opportunities Forum (BOF) 8 August 2013 Ballroom 1 4th Floor II. RECEPTIONS Lunch for SOM & BOF : 6 and 8 August 2013 Espresso Restaurant Mezzanine Floor Welcome Dinner : 6 August 2013 Pinnacle 4-5 4 th Floor 2
Lunch for ECF-5 : 7 August 2013 Charm Thai Restaurant Lobby Level Gala Dinner : 7 August 2013 Grand Ballroom 4 th Floor III. HOTEL ARRANGEMENTS Block reservations have been made for the SOM, ECF-5 and BOF participants at the following Hotels with the following room rates: Please note that room accommodations of the Heads of Delegations (HoD) have been blocked at the Intercontinental Hotel. Whereas, room accommodations of other ADB-funded participants has been blocked at Holiday Inn 1. Single/ Double Room Categories Room rate in THB INTERCONTINENTAL Grande Deluxe THB 4650++ Club Intercon THB 7150++ HOLIDAY INN Standard THB 2800++ Executive THB 4300++ The rates above are exclusive of the related taxes and it can be obtained only through the GMS Secretariat and not directly with the hotel. Deadline for delegates who would like to request ADB assistance in booking the hotel is 19 July 2013. Kindly note that the hotel bill should be settled individually on personal account, except for ADB-sponsored participants. For ADB sponsored participants, ADB will finance the cost of basic hotel accommodation at the Holiday Inn standard room single occupancy with breakfast and complimentary internet access in the rooms. Any incidental expenses such as telephone calls, laundry, food/drinks, and mini bar, are 3
not included and will be charged to the personal account of the participant. The sponsored participant shall cover the additional cost if booking for double occupancy. Resource persons and non-adb sponsored participants may book through the GMS Secretariat but hotel bill should be settled on personal account. Hotel Check-in and Check-out Procedure The hotel check-in is at 14:00 hours and check-out is at 12:00 hours. Early check-in and late check-out are subject to availability as advised by the hotel. Upon arrival at the hotel, participants are requested to check-in at the reception desk located in the main lobby of the hotel. Please note that the Holiday Inn is the one right next to the Intercontinental Hotel in Bangkok. IV. INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL BOOKING ADB Resident Missions in Cambodia, the People s Republic of China, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam have been requested to arrange the air tickets of ADBsponsored participants, including resource persons, from the respective countries based on the most direct route from and to the delegates city of origin. Flight details and ticket pick-up arrangements will be communicated to participants. ADB-sponsored participants and resource persons who purchased their own tickets will be reimbursed upon presentation of the air ticket, original boarding passes, and original official receipt issued by the travel agency (or a copy of their credit card billing statement). Please note that ADB will reimburse the ticket cost using the most direct route only. Should there be any deviation from the standard provisions, please communicate with the GMS Secretariat prior to purchasing the tickets. 1 There are 2 Holiday Inns in Bangkok, but the accommodations of the participants had been block at Holiday Inn Bangkok which is right next to Intercontinental Hotel with its address above. 4
V. AIRPORT FACILITATION Each GMS country delegation is requested to designate a coordinator who will work with the Thai Government on airport facilitation matters. The Government of Thailand will designate staff holding ECF-5 sign at the airport to assist the meeting participants. VIP arrivals/departure courtesies (provision of VIP lounge and customs and immigration facilitation) will be provided to the GMS Ministers and ADB Vice President. A liaison officer will be assigned to each country delegation throughout the meeting. (liaison officer name list will be informed later). VI. TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS Two-way airport transfer will be arranged for the GMS Minister/Head of Delegation (HOD) based on the Minister s/hod s flight itinerary. A mini-van will also be provided for the rest of the delegation accompanying the HOD. Thai Government will designate staff to welcome participants at Suvarnabhumi Airport and advice on the designated transportation. Other country delegates with a different flight schedule are requested to make their own transfer arrangement. Taxis are available at the first floor. One-way transfer cost around Baht 300 (approximately US$ 10). Taxi drivers accept only local currency; therefore, participants are advised to change money at the airport. Travel time from airport to Intercontinental Hotel is around 40-50 minutes. For proper coordination, participants are requested to promptly notify the GMS Secretariat of any changes in their flight itineraries. LIMOUSINE SERVICE AIRPORT TRANSFER InterContinental Guests BMW 730Ld THB 2,900 net/way/car (Maximum 3 passengers) Benz Vito Van THB 3,500 net/way/van (Maximum 5 passengers) 5
Holiday Inn Guests Toyota Camry Hybrid THB 1,500 net/way/car (Maximum 3 passengers) Toyota Commuter Van THB 1,800 net/way/van (Maximum 6 passengers) *The above rates are subject to change without prior notice Remark: After luggage collection and exit to arrival area, please proceed to Exit # 5 where our Airport Concierge with InterContinental Bangkok or Holiday Inn Bangkok signage will meet and assist you. VII. SECURITY AND PROTOCOL GMS delegations are requested to coordinate with the Government of Thailand for all security and protocol arrangements during the meeting. In particular, GMS countries are requested to inform the Government in advance: If the GMS Minister will be accompanied by his own security personnel; and If media representatives from the GMS country will accompany the Minister and/or the delegation. VIII. ALLOWANCES AND REIMBURSEMENT OF TRAVEL CLAIMS The ADB-sponsored participants will be given daily subsistence allowance and a fixed allowance for miscellaneous travel expense (for those taking international flights) to cover visa processing fees, airport taxes, airport transfers, ticket reconfirmation fee, and lay-over expenses. Based on prior agreement with the GMS Secretariat, participants who purchased their own tickets will also be reimbursed accordingly. To claim these allowances and reimbursement, the ADB-sponsored participants are kindly requested to submit the following documents: Photocopy of air tickets; Photocopy of passport details; Original boarding passes; and Original official receipt for purchase of air ticket (if purchased directly by the participants) Please submit your travel documents to Ms. Malou Magaoay, during the registration so that the GMS Secretariat can process the claims. All payments and 6
reimbursements may be claimed at the Secretariat Room at Communication Room A & B on 7-8 August 2013. Should you have any questions regarding alternative or special travel arrangements, kindly clarify eligibility from the GMS Secretariat prior to finalizing arrangements. IX. MEETING PROCEDURES A. REGISTRATION Meeting registration on 6, 7 and 8 August will start at 0830 hrs at the foyer of the meeting room. Participants will be provided with a meeting ID and the related meeting kits. B. MEETING-RELATED SERVICES The following services are available to the meeting participants: Secretariat Room (6-8 August 2013): Communication Room A & B VIP Holding Room (7 August 2013): President 4 Room C. MEETING DOCUMENTS Advance copies of the reference and background documents are available online: [link to website will be provided in due course] A set of meeting materials will be given upon registration before the meeting. D. COMMUNICATIONS-RELATED The medium of communication for the SOM, ECF-5 and GMS Business Opportunities is English. 7
X. MEETING COORDINATORS MR. SHUNSUKE BANDO Senior Regional Cooperation Specialist Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination Division Southeast Asia Department Asian Development Bank 6 ADB Avenue, Mandaluyong City, 1550 Metro Manila, Philippines Tel. No. (+63 2) 632 6669 Fax. No. (+63 2) 636 2226/ 2227 E-mail: sbando@adb.org MS. SUMITRA POOLTONG Production and Service Strategy Expert National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) Bangkok, Thailand Tel: (+66 2) 280 4085 EXT 3608 Fax: (+66 2) 281 1821-2 E-mail: sumitra@nesdb.go.th MS. SUTHIRAT VANASRISAWASD Policy and Plan Analyst, Senior Professional Level National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) Bangkok, Thailand Tel: (+66 2) 280 4085 EXT 3626 Fax: (+66 2) 281 1821-2 E-mail: suthirat@nesdb.go.th For inquiries/clarifications on logistical arrangements, please contact: MS. MALOU MAGAOAY Secretariat Coordination and Facilitation Specialist (Consultant) Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination Division Southeast Asia Department Asian Development Bank Tel. No.: +63 2 632 5195 Mobile No.: +63 917 7577280 Email: mmagaoay.consultant@adb.org mlsserrano1976@yahoo.com 8
XI. LOCATION MAP 9