Tenth session of the Governing Council of the Centre for the Alleviation of Poverty through Sustainable Agriculture (CAPSA) United Nations Conference Centre, Bangkok, Thailand 13 December 2013 INFORMATION NOTE FOR PARTICIPANTS Meeting Dates and Venue The meeting will be held from 13 December 2013 at: Meeting Room-E United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC) Rajadamnern Nok Avenue Bangkok 10200, Thailand Telephone: (66-2) 288-1234 The opening of the meeting will take place at 09.00 hours on Friday, 13 December 2013. Visa Requirements Participants who require a visa to travel to Thailand are requested to obtain an appropriate entry visa from a Thai diplomatic or consular mission. Please refer to Annex I for information regarding visa requirements. Accommodation Reservation All participants are requested to make their own hotel bookings in Bangkok by directly contacting the hotel of their choice. The meeting organizers will not make bookings on behalf of the participants. For reference, a list of hotels located relatively close to the United Nations Conference Centre is provided in Annex II. Health and Vaccination Upon arrival at the port of entry in Thailand, participants who have travelled from or through countries listed below, which have been declared yellow fever infected areas, must provide an International Health Certificate proving that they have received a yellow fever vaccination. Nationals of the countries listed below who have not travelled from/through those countries do not require such a certificate. However, they should be able to provide evidence to show that their domicile is not in an infected area so as to prevent unnecessary inconvenience. 1
The countries/areas listed below have been declared yellow fever infected areas: 1. Angola 24. Guyana 2. Argentina 25. Kenya 3. Benin 26. Liberia 4. Bolivia (Plurinational State of) 27. Mali 5. Brazil 28. Mauritania 6. Burkina Faso 29. Niger 7. Burundi 30. Nigeria 8. Cameroon 31. Panama 9. Central African Republic 32. Paraguay 10. Chad 33. Peru 11. Colombia 34. Rwanda 12. Congo 35. Sao Tome and Principe 13. Côte d Ivoire 36. Senegal 14. Democratic Republic of the Congo 37. Sierra Leone 15. Ecuador 38. Somalia 16. Equatorial Guinea 39. Sudan 17. Ethiopia 40. Suriname 18. French Guiana 41. Togo 19. Gabon 42. Trinidad and Tobago 20. Gambia 43. Uganda 21. Ghana 44. United Republic of 22. Guinea Tanzania 23. Guinea Bissau 45. Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) First aid and an emergency medical service are available near the meeting venue at the ESCAP Medical Centre, which is located on the fourth floor of the Service Building. The ESCAP Medical Officer and Nurse are available Monday through Friday from 07.30 to 12.00 hours and from 12.45 to 15.45 hours. Appointments may be made through the receptionist at extensions 1352 or 1353. Participants who are on routine medications are advised to bring along a sufficient quantity for their requirements during the travel period. The United Nations buildings are smoke-free areas. Smoking is permitted only in the designated areas outside of the buildings. Foreign Currency Declaration Any person who brings into or takes out of Thailand an aggregate amount of foreign currency exceeding US$ 20,000 or its equivalent is required to declare the amount to a customs official. Failure to do so or making any false declaration to a customs officer is a criminal offence. Currency exchange facilities are available at hotels and at other locations throughout Bangkok. Such services are also available near the meeting venue at the Siam Commercial Bank, United Nations Branch, which is located on the first floor of the Service Building (extensions 2159 and 2160). The branch is open from 08.30 to 15.30 hours, Monday to Friday. Transport from and to the Airport Participants should make their own transportation arrangements from the airport to their respective hotels. Limousine, metered-taxi, rail link and bus services are readily available at the airport. To avail themselves of the limousine and public metered-taxi services as indicated above, it is strongly recommended that participants approach only the authorized staff at the official counters located in 2
the airport arrival zone, who, upon request, will issue a ticket for the assignment of either a limousine or a metered taxi for transporting passengers to the desired destination. Participants may access the taxi counters by exiting gates 4 or 7 of the arrival zone at Suvarnabhumi International Airport. In addition to toll fees, a 50 baht surcharge is added to the meter fare for trips from the airport to the city. Detailed information about Suvarnabhumi International Airport can be found at www.suvarnabhumiairport.com. Transport to Attend Meeting Participants must make their own transport arrangements to and from the meeting venue. Please see Annex III for a message in the local language that you can show to the taxi driver to take you to the meeting venue (United Nations Conference Centre). Registration and Identification Badges Participants are requested to register and obtain meeting badges at the registration counter, which is located on the ground floor of UNCC, from 08.00 to 08.45 hours on the opening day of the event. Registration is necessary to ensure access to the meeting room. Only the names of duly registered participants will be included in the list of participants. For identification and security reasons, all participants are requested to wear their meeting badges at all times during meetings, social functions and in the United Nations complex. The loss of a meeting badge should be communicated to the Conference Management Unit, which is located on the ground floor of UNCC behind the registration counter, so that a new one can be issued immediately. Meals Daily coffee breaks will be arranged by the organizers during the meeting on 11 and 12 December. Lunch will not be provided by the organizers but can be purchased by participants at the cafeteria located on the first floor of UNCC. An evening reception hosted by the Government of Thailand will be held on 13 December evening at 17.00 at UNCC. Working Language of the Meeting The meeting will be conducted in English. No interpretation service will be provided during the meeting. All participants are therefore expected to have a sound working knowledge of the English language. Payment of Hotel Accounts Prior to their departure from Bangkok, participants should settle all accounts directly with the respective hotel, including room charges and other expenses, such as for local and long-distance telephone calls, Internet use, business centre use, laundry, room and hotel transportation services, mini-bar items, as well as restaurant and bar services. Participants are also responsible for any charges incurred in respect of rooms remaining vacant owing to late arrival or rescheduled departure for which inadequate prior notice is given to the hotel. Financial and Administrative Arrangements No responsibility will be assumed by the meeting organizers for expenditures such as the following: (a) All expenses in the home country incidental to travel abroad, including expenditure incurred for visas, medical examinations, inoculations and other such miscellaneous items and internal travel to and from the airport of arrival and departure in the home country; 3
(b) Salaries and related allowances for the participants during the period of the meeting; (c) Costs incurred by participants in respect of travel insurance, accident insurance, medical bills or hospitalization fees in connection with attendance at the meeting; (d) Compensation in the event of death or disability of participants in connection with attendance at the meeting; (e) Any loss of, or damage to, personal property of participants while attending the meeting or losses or damages claimed by third parties as a result of any negligence on the part of the participants; (f) Any other expenses of a personal nature, not directly related to the purpose of the meeting. Postal Services The United Nations branch of Thailand Post is on the ground floor of UNCC. It is open from 08.00 to 16.00 hours, Monday through Friday. The Post Office can be contacted at extensions 1260 and 2114. Souvenir Shop The souvenir shop is located on the first floor of UNCC. Additional Information about the Meeting and Contact Points If you have any questions on matters not mentioned in this note, please contact: Ms. Fransisca Anggraeni Wijaya Centre for Alleviation of Poverty through Sustainable Agriculture (CAPSA-UNESCAP) Jalan Merdeka No. 145 Bogor 16111, Indonesia Tel: +62 251 834 3277 Fax: +62 251 833 6290 Email: capsa@uncapsa.org ***************** 4
ANNEX I VISA REQUIREMENTS A. Visa exemption for a maximum of 14, 30 or 90 days for ordinary passport holders According to the Immigration Bureau of Thailand, nationals of the following countries/areas holding ordinary passports may enter and stay in Thailand for a period not exceeding 14, 30 or 90 days, as per the list below, without a visa. Visa exemption for a maximum of 14 days Cambodia Visa exemption for a maximum of 30 days 1. Australia 26. Malaysia 2. Austria 27. Monaco 3. Bahrain 28. Mongolia 4. Belgium 29. Netherlands 5. Brunei Darussalam 30. New Zealand 6. Canada 31. Norway 7. Czech Republic 32. Oman 8. Denmark 33. Philippines 9. Finland 34. Poland 10. France 35. Portugal 11. Germany 36. Qatar 12. Greece 37. Russian Federation 13. Hong Kong, China 38. Singapore 14. Hungary 39. Slovakia 15. Iceland 40. Slovenia 16. Indonesia 41. South Africa 17. Ireland 42. Spain 18. Israel 43. Sweden 19. Italy 44. Switzerland 20. Japan 45. Turkey 21. Kuwait 46. United Arab Emirates 22. Lao People s Democratic Republic 47. United Kingdom of Great 23. Liechtenstein Britain and Northern Ireland 24. Luxembourg 48. United States of America 25. Macao, China 49. Viet Nam Visa exemption for a maximum of 90 days 1. Argentina 4. Peru 2. Brazil 5. Republic of Korea 3. Chile B. Visa exemption for a maximum of 30 or 90 days for diplomatic/official passport holders Nationals of the following countries holding a valid diplomatic or official passport may enter and stay in Thailand for a period of 30 or 90 days, as per the list below, without a visa:
Visa exemption for a maximum of 30 days 1. Cambodia 7. Mexico 2. China 8. Mongolia 3. Hong Kong, China 9. Myanmar 4. Indonesia 10. Oman 5. Lao People s Democratic Republic 11. Viet Nam 6. Macao, China Visa exemption for a maximum of 90 days 1. Argentina 22. Nepal 2. Austria 23. Netherlands 3. Belgium 24. Oman 4. Bhutan 25. Panama 5. Brazil 26. Peru 6. Chile 27. Philippines 7. Costa Rica 28. Poland 8. Croatia 29. Republic of Korea 9. Czech Republic 30. Romania 10. Estonia (diplomatic passport only) 31. Russian Federation 11. France (diplomatic passport only) 32. Singapore 12. Germany 33. Slovakia 13. Hungary 34. South Africa 14. India 35. Spain 15. Israel (diplomatic passport only) 16. Italy 36. Switzerland 17. Japan 37. Tunisia 18. Liechtenstein 38. Turkey 19. Luxembourg 39. Ukraine 20. Malaysia 40. Uruguay 21. Mexico C. Visa on arrival for a maximum of 15 days stay Nationals of the following countries holding a valid ordinary passport may apply for a visa, not exceeding 15 days, on arrival, at Suvarnabhumi International Airport or Don Mueang International Airport, conditional on meeting the requirements mentioned below: 1. Andorra 11. Lithuania 2. Bhutan 12. Maldives 3. Bulgaria 13. Malta 4. China 14. Mauritius 5. Cyprus 15. Romania 6. Estonia 16. San Marino 7. Ethiopia 17. Saudi Arabia 8. India 18. Ukraine 9. Kazakhstan 19. Uzbekistan 10. Latvia The requirements for a visa on arrival are as follows: (a) The applicant must be in possession of a passport with a validity of at least six months or an appropriate travel document recognized by the Government of Thailand; 6
(b) The applicant must be in possession of a confirmed onward or return air ticket that is usable within 15 days of the date of entry; (c) The applicant must submit a duly completed application form (TM.88), which is available at the Visa-on-Arrival counter at Suvarnabhumi International Airport or at Don Mueang International Airport, together with one recent passport-sized photograph. There is an application fee of 1,000 baht. Participants from countries other than those listed above are requested to obtain an appropriate entry visa from a Thai diplomatic or consular mission prior to departure. In line with security procedures for United Nations staff, travel notification through the Travel Request Information Process (TRIP) is required prior to any official travel to a non-phase area. Upon notification of travel on TRIP, United Nations staff members will automatically receive an updated security advice for United Nations visitors to Thailand. Please log on to https://dss.un.org to apply for this travel notification. United Nations staff should complete the Basic security in the field training before travelling. The information provided above is accurate as at 24 July 2013. All participants are advised to consult with the diplomatic mission/embassy of Thailand in their respective country regarding the latest applicable immigration requirements prior to their departure. 7
ANNEX II HOTELS NEAR MEETING VENUE Name and address Shangri-La Hotel 89 Soi Wat Suan Plu, New Road, Bangkok Tel: (66-2) 236 7777 Fax: (66-2) 236 8579 E-mail: kussarin.amonthakonsuwet@shangrila.com Website: www.shangri-la.com Contact person: Ms. Kussarin Amonthakonsuwet The Sukosol 477 Si Ayuthaya Road, Phayathai, Bangkok Tel: (66-2) 247 0123 Fax: (66-2) 247 0165 E-mail: ratchanikrit@sukosolhotels.com Website: www.sukosolhotels.com Contact person: Ms. Ratchaneekrit Khankath Amari Watergate Hotel and Spa 847 Petchaburi Road Bangkok Tel: (66-2) 653 9000 Fax: (66-2) 653 9045 E-mail: kanokwan.t@amari.com Website: www.amari.com/watergate Contact person: Ms. Kanokwan Tangkiattrakul Pullman Bangkok King Power 8-2 Rangnam Road, Thanon Phayathai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok Tel: (66-2) 680 9999 Fax: (66-2) 680 9998 E-mail: convention@pullmanbangkokkingpower.com Website: www.pullmanbangkokkingpower.com Contact person: Ms. Ranithsorn Nitinopparatt Royal Princess Larn Luang Hotel 269 Larn Luang Road, Bangkok Tel: (66-2) 281 3088 Fax: (66-2) 280 1314 E-mail: rsvn@royalprincesslarnluang.com Website: www.royalprincesslarnluang.com Contact person: Ms. Benjarat Rusakul Prince Palace Hotel 488/800 Bo Bae Tower, Damrongrak Road, Klong Mahanak, Bangkok Tel: (66-2) 628 1111 Fax: (66-2) 628 1000 E-mail: wannajit@princepalace.co.th Website: www.princepalace.co.th Contact person: Ms. Wannajit Chulamakorn Approx. driving time to venue (in min) (subject to traffic conditions) 30-40 15-25 20-30 20-25 5-10 10-15 8
Name and address Nouvo City Hotel 2 Samsen 2, Samsen Road Pranakorn, Banglamphu, Bangkok Tel: (66-2) 282 7500 extension 130 Fax: (66-2) 282 2134 E-mail: dosm@nouvocityhotel.com Website: www.nouvocityhotel.com Contact person: Ms. Papatsara Sintanaporn Golden Tulip Essential Vasu Hote 99/1 Wisutkasat Road, Bangkok Tel: (66-2) 282 2141-4 Fax: (66-2) 280 3610 E-mail: info@goldentulipessentialvasu.com Website: www.goldentulipessentialvasu.com Contact persons: Ms. Papatsara Sintanaporn, Ms. Savitree Sotawong Hotel Dé Moc 78 Prajatipatai Road, Bangkok Tel: (66-2) 282 2831-3 Fax: (66-2) 280 1299 E-mail: chaloem@buddygroupthailand.com Website: www.hoteldemoc.com Contact person: Mr. Chaloem Phiranon Approx. driving time to venue (in min) (subject to traffic conditions) 5-10 5-10 5-10 9
ANNEX III TRANSPORT FROM HOTEL TO VENUE To travel from your hotel to the meeting venue (United Nations Conference Centre), please show the below message to the taxi driver to convey your desired destination:,,,, 10200 (In English: United Nations, ESCAP, Ratchadamnoen Road, Bang Khun Phrom, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200.) 10