Pre-registration for the meeting is required (closing on 24 April 2019). See https://intl-forum.iap2.or.id/ or contact: intl-forum@iap2.or.id and/or escap-2030agenda@un.org

Meeting badges (with photo) will be issued at the ground floor of the UN Conference Centre (UNCC) from 0800 to 0900 hours on the opening day of the event.  Participants who are not able to register during the time indicated above are requested to do so upon their arrival at UNCC to be able to access the conference room.  

Please bring along photo ID to obtain the badge and access to the UNCC. For identification and security reasons, all participants are requested to wear their meeting badges at all times when in the United Nations complex.  The loss of a meeting badge should be communicated to the Conference Management Unit, located on the ground floor of the UNCC behind the registration counter, so that a new one can be issued immediately.

The weather in Bangkok is usually warm and humid.  Light tropical clothing would be appropriate.  The conference rooms where the meetings are to be held are air-conditioned and the temperature is maintained in the range of 23-24 degrees Celsius (73-75 degrees Fahrenheit).

The electric power in Thailand is 220V running at 50Hz and the plug types used are either type A, type B, or type C. A hybrid socket is almost universally found, which accepts a combination of the above plug types.  Delegates are strongly encouraged to carry their own adapters for use with laptops and other electrical appliances as the Secretariat will not be able to provide these.  In case of need, adapters can be purchased from shops in the city dealing in electronic and electrical items.

         Type A            Type B            Type C       Hybrid Socket                                               

Upon arrival at the port of entry in Thailand, participants who are nationals of or have traveled from/through countries listed below, which have been declared Yellow Fever infected areas, must provide an International Health Certificate proving that they have received a valid Yellow Fever vaccination at the Health Control Office upon arrival before proceeding to immigration. A valid vaccination certificate means that the vaccine was administered at least 10 days prior to travel to the affected country. The International Health Certificate must also be submitted together with the visa application form. The countries/areas listed below have been declared yellow fever infected areas:

Thailand is currently experiencing ongoing sporadic transmission of the mosquito-borne Zika virus. All travelers are advised to protect themselves from mosquito bites while in Thailand. Given possible transmission of the disease to unborn babies, pregnant women should consider postponing travel to Thailand or talk to their doctor about the implications of traveling to Thailand during this time.

In addition to the above, Medical Services Division at HQ advises that pregnant UN Personnel should not undertake duty travel or be relocated to countries/areas where local transmission of Zika virus is known to occur. Women who are seeking pregnancy should obtain individual advice from their medical practitioner on risk management regarding their plans to travel into a Zika-affected area.

First-aid and emergency medical service is available at the Medical Centre, which is located on the   ground floor of the UNCC, during weekdays.  The ESCAP Medical Officer and Nurse are available from 0730 to 1545 hours, with the exception of lunch time from 1200 to 1245 hours.  Appointments may be made through extensions 1352 or 1761. Delegates are strongly encouraged to subscribe to a travel or health insurance which is valid in the Kingdom of Thailand, in order to cover any medical bills or hospitalization fees.

The United Nations buildings are smoke-free areas. Smoking is permitted only in the designated areas outside of the buildings.

Any person who brings or takes an aggregate amount of foreign currency exceeding US$ 20,000 or its equivalent into or out of the Kingdom of Thailand shall declare such amount of foreign currency to a Customs Official.  Failure to make such a declaration or making any false declaration to a Customs official is a criminal offence.

Currency exchange facilities are available at hotels and all over Bangkok.  Such services are also available at the Siam Commercial Bank, United Nations Branch, which is located on the first floor of the Service Building (telephone extension 2168).  The Bank opens from 0830 to 1530 hours, with no lunch break, from Monday to Friday.

Many international airlines operate regular services to and from Bangkok. Participants are advised to secure their return bookings prior to their departure for Bangkok. If this is not possible, they should make firm return bookings immediately upon arrival in Bangkok. Travel services are available through the American Express office located on the first floor, United Nations Conference Centre.

Sponsored participants should refer to the conditions of their sponsorship regarding any travel arrangements that might be made on their behalf, or contact Ms. Aqira Bhatchayutmaytri: bhatchayutmaytri@un.org 

See Annex 1 for information on visa requirements for Thailand.

A special rate has been negotiated at the Ibis Styles Bangkok Khaosan Viengtai Hotel. Bookings are available on a first come, first served basis for the first 30 reservations. Reservations must be made directly with the hotel. Participants are encouraged to book early due to heavy demand during the period of the conference.

Details are below:  

• Rate: THB 1,800.-net per room per night (approx. USD60)
• Special rate period: Available for a 5 day period inclusive of the meeting days 29 April to 1 May)
• Room: Standard Room (single/twin) incl. breakfast
• Booking code: ESCAP-IAP2

•   E-mail:  H9906-RE@accor.com

The following hotels, located relatively close to the UN Conference Centre are also recommended.The room rates indicated below are inclusive of service charge and value added tax. Please confirm the room rates with the hotel directly.

1. Inclusive of daily breakfast, service charge and value added tax.
2. Complimentary transport services provided according to fixed schedules, from the hotel

                    to UNCC in the morning and back to the hotel in the evening.

1. Free Internet Access.

Participants are invited to contact the hotel of their choice as early as possible as there is heavy demand during the period of the meeting. Participants may consider booking a hotel within a walking distance from the UNCC to avoid traffic and help reduce carbon emissions_. Any cancellations, postponements or other changes should be notified to the hotel at least 48 hours in advance.  Rooms not occupied in accordance with the latest advice will be held for 24 hours at the participant’s expense and then released.

Before departure from Bangkok, participants should settle directly with the respective hotels all accounts, including room charges and other expenses, such as for local and long-distance telephone calls, Internet use, business center 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 with respect to rooms remaining vacant owing to late arrival or rescheduled departure for which inadequate prior notice is given.

Participants should make their own transportation arrangements from Suvarnabhumi Airport or Donmuang International Airport to their respective hotels.  Limousine, metered-taxi and bus services are readily available at the airport. Detailed information about the respective airports can be found at  http://www.suvarnabhumiairport.com and http://www.donmuangairport.com/. Some hotels offer transportation which may be arranged with the reservation.

To avail themselves of the airport limousine service, it is strongly recommended that participants contact only the authorized officials at the counters located in the airport arrival zone.  These officials will issue a ticket for the assignment of a limousine for transporting passengers to the desired destination, upon request. The Suvarnabhumi International Airport limousine service counters are located on the second floor at Baggage Claim and Arrival Hall exits, channels A, B and C. 

For use public, metered taxis, participants are advised to proceed to the first floor of the Passenger Terminal, between exit doors 4 and 7, outdoor area, where they will find automatic dispensing machines from which they can collect a queuing ticket.  In addition to highway toll fees, there is a 50 Baht surcharge to be added to the meter charge from airport to the city.  Please refer to the airport website noted above for details.

Participants should make their own transport arrangements to and from the UNCC. Metered-taxis are readily available in the city.  Some hotels close to the United Nations building provide complimentary transport, according to fixed schedules, to and from the UNCC. 

Free wireless internet access is available in all conference and meeting rooms and in the public areas of the UNCC.  No password is required.

Coffee breaks will be provided in the morning and afternoon of each day of the meeting.  Participants who have paid a registration fee will receive lunch coupons with their conference material. Catering services are available for all participants at the following locations:

1. A cafeteria, which serves Thai and international lunch, located on level 1 of UNCC, is open from 1100 to 1400 hours for lunch on Monday through Friday.
    
2. A cafeteria, which serves Thai and international lunch, located on level 1 of UNCC, is open from 1100 to 1400 hours for lunch on Monday through Friday.

• A Canteen, which serves Thai lunch, located on the ground floor of the Service Building, is open from 0700 to 1300 hours on Monday through Friday. 

1. A Coffee Corner, which serves sandwiches, pastries, coffee, tea and soft drinks, located on level 1, UNCC, is open from 0700 to 1700 hours.
2. The Rajapruek Lounge, which serves light meals and beverages, located on the ground floor of the UNCC, is open from 0700 to 1700 hours on Monday through Thursday, and from 0700 to 2000 hours on Friday.

The UNCC is free of single-use plastics. Purchase of hot beverages in most cases will require an additional deposit for the ceramic cup at most locations.  

In order to enhance accessibility to the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC) for persons with diverse disabilities, whether visual, physical, brain lesions, hearing or speech impairments, a set of assistive devices are available upon request in a designated area at the Accessibility Centre, first floor, UNCC.  To book use of devices or for more information, please send an email to pirzada@un.org.

ESCAP Library facilities are available on the first floor, Service Building from 0730 to 1600 hours, Monday through Friday.  For details on the use of the ESCAP Library facilities, please consult the staff on duty at the Library or call extensions 1329 and 1360.  Further information about the ESCAP Library can be found at www.unescap.org/library.

Banking services are available at the Siam Commercial Bank, United Nations Branch, located on the first floor of the Service Building, from 0830 to 1530 hours during weekdays. (telephone extension 2168).

Postal services are available at the Post Office, United Nations Branch, located on the ground floor of UNCC.  It is open from 0800 to 1600 hours, Monday through Friday.  The Post Office can be contacted at extensions 1260 and 2911.

The souvenir shop is located on the first floor of UNCC.  It is open from 0800 to 1700 hours, Monday through Friday.  The shop can be contacted at extension 1295.

The American Express Travel (AMEX) office is located on the first floor, United Nations Conference Centre, which is open from 0800 to 1700 hours weekdays. The AMEX office can be contacted at extensions 2820, 2821, 2822 and 2823 from phones located around the UNCC.

Participants whose travel is sponsored by ESCAP will be provided with an allowance at prevailing United Nations rates in local currency for the days designated in their communications with ESCAP.  In order to facilitate the payment of subsistence allowance, eligible participants are requested to submit copies of the passport, boarding pass, the arrival/departure form together with their air tickets to the secretariat staff in the conference room.

Any participants who are unable to stay for the duration of the meeting are requested to inform the secretariat as soon as possible after arrival, so that the subsistence allowance can be adjusted accordingly.

In those cases where the participation costs are borne by the ESCAP Secretariat, the Secretariat will provide only travel and DSA as expressed and will not assume responsibility for any other expenditure, including the following:

1. All expenses in the home country incidental to travel abroad, including expenditure for visa, medical examination, inoculations and other such miscellaneous items and internal travel to and from the airport of arrival and departure in the home country

1. Salary and related allowances for the participants during the period of the meeting

• Costs incurred by participants in respect of travel insurance, accident insurance, medical bills or hospitalization fees in connection with attending the meeting

1. Compensation in the event of death or disability of participants in connection with attending the meeting;

1. 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

1.  Any other expenses of a personal nature, not directly related to the purpose of the meeting.

Visitors are advised to be respectful of Thai customs at all times. Please note that Thailand has laws against making negative comments about the institution of the monarchy. Such laws are strictly enforced and are applicable to spoken, written, gestures and electronic communication, including social media.

Contact numbers:

UN Security
Security Control Centre (24/7): +66.2.2881102; +66.2.2881113
UN Security Emergency Number: +66.2.2881100
Mobile +66.81.8078471

Thailand Emergency Numbers:
Police general emergency call: 191
Fire: 199
Ambulance and rescue: 1554
Tourism Police: 1155

A Lost and Found desk is located on the ground floor of the UNCC by the Security scanning area.

The prayer and meditation rooms may be found on the second floor of the UNCC by the ESCAP Hall (https://www.unescap.org/uncc/floor-plans).

For information on the programme and other aspects of the meeting, please visit https://intl-forum.iap2.or.id/  

For travel arrangements (sponsored participants) :                                               Ms. Aqira Bhatchayutmaytri, Team Assistant, EDPS/EDD. Email: bhatchayutmaytri@un.org 

Visa requirements

Participants are REQUIRED to obtain an appropriate entry visa from the Royal Thai Embassy or the Royal Thai Consulate-General before entering to Thailand, EXCEPT for those nationals listed below.

Participants who wish to apply for a visa on arrival at Suvarnabhumi International Airport (valid for 21 nationalities listed in the above table) should meet the below requirements:

1. The applicant must possess a passport with the validity of at least six months and must be in possession of a valid return ticket with date of departure within 15 days of the date of entry;
   
   
2. The applicant must fill out an application form, which is available at the Visa-on-Arrival counter at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, supply one recent passport-sized photograph and a fee of Baht 2,000.

To apply for an appropriate entry visa to Thailand, participants are required to contact the respective Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate-General for accurate information regarding visa application procedures and required documents. The list of Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate-General can be found at www.thaiembassy.org .

Participants who may wish to apply for a visa outside their country of residence or reside in a country where there is no Royal Thai Embassy/Royal Thai Consulate should check with the meeting organizer for the location where it is possible for them to apply for a Thai visa. Please note that certain nationalities, for security reasons, are not allowed to apply for a visa except at the Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate-General which has jurisdiction over the concerned territory.

UN Staff requirements

Participants holding UN Laissez-Passer (UNLP) travelling on official business to Thailand are REQUIRED to obtain an appropriate visa before entering.

Furthermore, 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 visit https://dss.un.org to apply for this travel notification. United Nations staff is required to complete both the “BASIC SECURITY IN THE FIELD” and “ADVANCE SECURITY IN THE FIELD” training before travelling.