Information Note for Participants

Note by the Secretariat

Contents

1. General
2. Meeting Schedule
3. Credentials
4. Registration of Participants
5. Visa Requirements
6. Weather
7. Health and Vaccination
8. Declaration of Foreign Currency
9. Airline Reservations
10. Hotel Accommodation
11. Payment of Hotel Accounts
12. Reception on Arrival
13. Transport to and from the Airport
14. Transport to Attend Meetings
15. Internet Services
16. Catering Services
17. Correspondence/Communications
18. Meeting Documents
19. Social Events
20. About the host country—Thailand

I. General

The sixty-ninth session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is scheduled to be held at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC), Bangkok, from 25 April to 1 May 2013. The session comprises two segments: a senior officials segment from 25 to 27 April 2013, consisting of meetings of Committees of the Whole I and II, and the Working Group on Draft Resolutions; and a ministerial segment from 29 April to 1 May 2013.

The following high-level events will be held during the ministerial segment:

1. Ministerial Panel on Sustainable Development and the Development Agenda beyond 2015 (1030-1200 hours on Monday, 29 April 2013);
2. Ministerial Round Table on the Theme Topic of the sixty-ninth Commission session (0900-1030 hours on Tuesday, 30 April 2013);
3. High-level Panel on the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2013 (1045-1200 hours on Tuesday, 30 April 2013);
4. Executive Secretaries' Round Table on Interregional Cooperation (1030-1200 hours on Wednesday, 1 May 2013).

II. Meeting Schedule

The tentative schedule for the sixty-ninth session is as follows:

• Senior officials segment:
  1. The opening of the senior officials segment will be held on Thursday, 25 April 2013, in ESCAP Hall, level 2, UNCC;
  2. Meetings of Committees of the Whole I and II will be held from 25 to 27 April 2013 in the following venues in UNCC: Committee of the Whole I: Conference Room 1, level 2 Committee of the Whole II: Conference Room 2, level 2
  3. Meetings of the Working Group on Draft Resolutions will be held in Conference Room 3, level 1, UNCC on 26 and 27 April 2013. If necessary, the Working Group may meet on Sunday, 28 April 2013, to complete its work;
• Ministerial segment:
  
  1. The opening session of the ministerial segment will be held on Monday, 29 April 2013, in ESCAP Hall, level 2, UNCC, where all subsequent meetings will also be held;
  2. The venue of the ministerial round table on the theme topic will be announced during the session.

The daily meeting hours shall be from 09:00 to 12:00 hours and from 14:00 to 17:00 hours. The specific times of each meeting will be indicated in the order of the day.

III. Credentials

Members of delegations are kindly requested to bring their official credentials with them, duly signed by the appropriate authorities of their respective Governments/agencies/organizations, and provide them to the secretariat staff at the Registration Counter, which is located on the ground floor of UNCC.

IV. Registration of Participants

Participants attending the sessions are required to register and obtain meeting badges in advance. For reasons of security, meeting badges should be worn visibly at all times during meetings and at social functions.

Online registration
In order to facilitate smooth coordination of the issuance of name badges, compilation of the list of participants and hotel accommodation reservation, all participants are kindly requested to register online at www.unescap.org/commission/69 well in advance, but no later than 15 April 2013. Furthermore, kindly note that prior online registration is mandatory in line with the standard United Nations security procedures related to security clearance.

Badge Distribution
Participants are requested to register and obtain meeting badges in advance of the opening of the session at the Registration Counter, on the ground floor of UNCC, during the following hours:

Between 08:00 and 16:00 hours, every day from 25 to 27 April 2013;
Between 08:00 and 08:45 hours on 29 April 2013.

The badges of participants who have registered online may be collected at the registration counter upon presentation of a copy of the credentials and identification without the need to fill in a registration form. Only the names of duly registered participants will be included in the list of participants for the sixty-ninth session.

To facilitate the process of registration, one member of a delegation can, by showing a copy of the credentials and a valid identification document, register on behalf of all the members of the delegation. Participants arriving late are requested to contact the Conference Management Unit, which is located on the ground floor of UNCC, behind the Registration Counter.

V. 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 days, 30 days 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

Australia	Malaysia
Austria	Monaco
Bahrain	Mongolia
Belgium	Netherlands
Brunei Darussalam	New Zealand
Canada	Norway
Czech Republic	Oman
Denmark	Philippines
Finland	Poland
France	Portugal
Germany	Qatar
Greece	Russian Federation
Hong Kong, China	Singapore
Hungary	Slovak Republic
Iceland	Slovenia
Indonesia	South Africa
Ireland	Spain
Israel	Sweden
Italy	Switzerland
Japan	Turkey
Kuwait	United Arab Emirates
Lao People's Democratic Republic	United Kingdom
Liechtenstein	United States of America
Luxembourg	Viet Nam
Macao, China

• Visa exemption for a maximum of 90 days

Argentina	Peru
Brazil	Republic of Korea
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 days and 90 days, as per the list below, without a visa:

• Visa exemption for a maximum of 30 days

Cambodia	Mexico
China	Mongolia
Hong Kong, China	Myanmar
Indonesia	Oman
Lao People's Democratic Republic	Viet Nam
Macao, China

• Visa exemption for a maximum of 90 days

Argentina	Nepal
Austria	Netherlands
Belgium	Oman
Bhutan	Panama
Brazil	Peru
Chile	Philippines
Costa Rica	Poland
Croatia	Republic of Korea
Czech Republic	Romania
Estonia (Diplomatic Passport only)	Russian Federation
France (Diplomatic Passport only)	Singapore
Germany	Slovak Republic
Hungary	South Africa
India	Spain (Diplomatic Passport only)
Israel	Switzerland
Italy	Tunisia
Japan	Turkey
Liechtenstein	Ukraine
Luxembourg	Uruguay
Malaysia
Mexico

C. Visa on arrival for a maximum 15-day stay
Nationals of the following countries holding a valid ordinary passport may apply for visa, not exceeding 15 days, on arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport, conditional on meeting the requirements listed below:

Andorra	Lithuania
Bulgaria	Maldives
Bhutan	Malta
China	Mauritius
Cyprus	Romania
Estonia	San Marino
Ethiopia	Saudi Arabia
India	Ukraine
Kazakhstan	Uzbekistan
Latvia

The requirements for a visa on arrival are as follows:

1. The applicant must possess a passport of at least six-month validity 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 Airport, and supply one recent passport-sized photograph. The application fee is 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 at the point of origin or en route prior to entering Thailand.

The information provided above is accurate as at 26 December 2012. All participants are advised to consult with the Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate in their respective countries regarding the latest applicable immigration requirements prior to their departure to Thailand.

VI. Weather

The weather in Bangkok in April/May is usually warm and humid. Light tropical clothing would be appropriate. The meeting rooms in UNCC are air-conditioned and the temperature is maintained in the range of 23-24 degrees Celsius (73-75 degrees Fahrenheit).

VII. 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.

For nationals of the countries listed below who have not travelled from/through those countries, such a certificate is not required. However, they should possess concrete evidence showing that their domicile is not in an infected area so as to prevent unnecessary inconvenience.

The countries/areas listed below have been declared yellow fever infected areas:

Angola	Guyana
Argentina	Kenya
Bolivia	Liberia
Brazil	Mali
Benin	Mauritania
Burundi	Niger
Burkina Faso	Nigeria
Cameroon	Panama
Central African Republic	Paraguay
Chad	Peru
Colombia	Rwanda
Congo	Sao Tome and Principe
Côte d'Ivoire	Senegal
Democratic Republic of the Congo	Sierra Leone
Ecuador	Somalia
Equatorial Guinea	Sudan
Ethiopia	Suriname
French Guiana	United Republic of Tanzania
Gabon	Togo
Gambia	Trinidad and Tobago
Ghana	Uganda
Guinea	Venezuela
Guinea Bissau

First aid and emergency medical service are available at the Medical Centre, which is located on the fourth floor of the Service Building, during weekdays. The ESCAP Medical Officer and Nurse are available from 07:30 to 15:45 hours, with the exception of lunch time from 12:00 to 12:45 hours. Appointments may be made by calling extensions 1352 or 1353.

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

VIII. Declaration of foreign currency

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 the 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 extensions 2159 and 2160). The Bank opens from 08:30 to 15:30 hours, with no lunch break, from Monday to Friday.

IX. Airline reservations

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 of the Service Building, adjacent to the Siam Commercial Bank.

X. Hotel accommodation

The following hotels, located relatively close to ESCAP, have been designated as recommended hotels for which the room rates indicated below are inclusive of service charge and value added tax.

Name & Address	Driving distance to UNCC (min.)	Room type	Daily room rates(Baht)
			Single	Double
a. Inclusive of daily American breakfast, service charge and government tax. b. Complimentary transport services provided according to fixed schedules, from the hotel to UNCC in the morning and back to the hotel in the evening. Hotel Dé Moc and Golden Tulip Essential Vasu Hotel, Bangkok (Trang Hotel )have one way transfer from hotel to UNCC. c. Free Internet access. Note: Other charges for additional services in the hotels are subject to a 10 per cent service charge and 7 per cent VAT. The hotel room rates are subject to change without prior notice.
Shangri-La Hotel ***** 89 Soi Wat Suan Plu, New Road Bangkok Tel: (662) 236-7777 Fax: (662) 236-8579 E-mail: kussarin.amonthakonsuwet@shangri-la.com Website: http://www.shangri-la.com Contact person: Ms. Kussarin Amonthakonsuwet	30-40	Deluxe Room Deluxe River View Room	5,300 a/c 5,500 a/c	5,900 a/c 6,100 a/c
The Sukosol ***** 477 Si Ayuthaya Road, Phayathai Bangkok Tel: (662) 247-0123 Fax: (662) 247-0165 E-mail: ratchanikrit@sukosolhotels.com Website: http://www.sukosolhotels.com Contact person: Ms. Ratchanikrit Khankath	15-25	Deluxe	2,700 a/c	2,900 a/c
Amari Watergate Hotel & Spa ***** 847 Petchaburi Road Bangkok Tel: (662) 653-9000 Fax: (662) 653-9045 E-mail: kanokwan.t@amari.com Website: http://www.amari.com Contact person: Ms. Kanokwan Tangkiattrakul	20-30	Deluxe	3,600 a/b/c	4,100 a/b/c
Pullman Hotel and Resort ***** 8 Rangnam Road, Kweag Thanon-Phayathai, Rachathewi Bangkok Tel: (662) 680-9999 Fax: (662) 680-9998 E-mail:ados-corp@pullmanbangkokkingpower.com Website: http://www.pullmanbangkokkingpower.com Contact person: Ms. Ranithsorn Nitinopparatt	20-25	Superior	2,800 a/c	3,000 a/c
Royal Princess Larn Luang Hotel **** 269 Larnluang Road Bangkok Tel: (662) 281-3088 Fax: (662) 280-1314 E-mail: benjarat@royalprincesslarnluang.com Website: www.royalprincesslarnluang.com Contact person: Ms. Benjarat Rusakul	5-10	Superior Deluxe Suite - 1 Bed Room	2,500 a/b/c 2,800 a/b/c 7,500 a/b/c	2,700 a/b/c 3,000 a/b/c 7,500 a/b/c
Grand China Hotel **** 215 Yaowarat Road Bangkok Tel: (662) 224-9977, 224-7997 Fax: (662) 224-7999 E-mail: sale@grandchina.com Website: http://www.grandchina.com Contact person: Ms. Phet-Anong Naksuthi	15-20	Deluxe	2,500 a/b/c	2,700 a/b/c
Prince Palace Hotel **** 488/800 Bo Bea Tower Damrongrak Road, Klong Mahanak Bangkok Tel: (662) 628-1111 Fax: (662) 628-1000 E-mail: wannajit@princepalace.co.th Website: http://www.princepalace.co.th Contact person: Ms. Wannajit Chulamakorn	10-15	Superior	1,700 a/b	1,900 a/b
Siam @ Siam Design Hotel & Spa **** 865 Rama 1 Road, Wangmai, Patumwan Bangkok Tel: (662) 217-3000 Fax: (662) 217-3030 E-mail: dos@siamatsiam.com Website: http://www.siamatsiam.com Contact person: Ms. Prapaphan Chanapokakul	15-20	Leisure Class	3,000 a/c	3,300 a/c
Nouvo City Hotel **** 2 Samsen 2, Samsen Road, Banglumphu, Pranakorn Bangkok Tel: (662) 282-7500 Ext: 130 Fax: (662) 282-2134 E-mail: dosm@nouvocityhotel.com, new_lodge@hotmail.com Website: http://www.nouvocityhotel.com Contact person: Ms. Papatsara Sintanaporn	5-10	Deluxe Grand Deluxe	2,100 a/b/c	2,300 a/b/c
Golden Tulip Essential Vasu Hotel *** (Trang Hotel) 99/1 Wisutkasat Road Bangkok Tel: (662) 282-2141-4 Fax: (662) 280-3610 E-mail: reservations@tranghotelbangkok.com Website: www.tranghotelbangkok.com Contact person: Mr. Prasarn Thaitae	5-10	Superior Premium Superior Deluxe	1,400 a/b 1,600 a/b 1,800 a/b	1,400 a/b 1,600 a/b 1,800 a/b
Hotel Dé Moc (former Thai Hotel) *** 78 Prajatipatai Road Bangkok Tel: (662) 282-2833 Fax: (662) 280-1299 E-mail: rsvn@buddygroupthailand.com cc: chaloem@buddygroupthailand.com Website: http://www.hoteldemoc.com Contact person: Mr. Chaloem Phiranont	5-10	Standard Superior	1,300 a/b 1,500 a/b	1,500 a/b 1,700 a/b

Participants are requested to complete the attendance-hotel reservation form online at www.unescap.org/commission/69, from which it will be delivered automatically to both the secretariat and the hotel of their choice. Participants should make their reservations as early as possible, but no later than 15 April 2013 as rooms at the above-listed hotels either will not be available or will be priced at the market rate after the deadline due to high seasonal demand.

All rooms block-booked will be available to participants on a first-come, first-served basis and in accordance with the information provided in the online attendance/hotel reservation form. Any cancellations, postponements or other changes should be notified 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.

In the event that accommodation at any of the above-listed hotels is not available, participants will be advised by the respective hotel. The secretariat will make every effort to arrange for suitable alternative accommodation, if requested.

XI. Payment of hotel accounts

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 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 with respect to rooms remaining vacant owing to late arrival or rescheduled departure for which inadequate prior notice is given.

XII. Reception on arrival

In order for the secretariat to provide proper protocol arrangements for participating heads of delegation at the ministerial level and above, it is strongly recommended that they stay at one of the hotels listed above. ESCAP would appreciate receiving information on the arrival and departure flight details of ministers at least two weeks in advance of their arrival in Bangkok.

The flight details and the expected dates and times of arrival in Bangkok of participants at the ministerial level and above should be communicated to:

Ms. Chetna Lakhoo-Verbeek Chief, Conference Management Unit Division of Administration ESCAP, United Nations Building Rajadamnern Nok Avenue Bangkok 10200, Thailand Telephone numbers: (662) 288-2006 Facsimile number: (662) 288-3022, (662) 288-1000 E-mail: escap-conference-management@un.org with a copy to the Protocol Office: Facsimile number: (662) 288-3029 E-mail: escap-da-cs69th@un.org

Any subsequent changes should be communicated to the secretariat as soon as possible.

Arrival information should be provided in addition to any official notification sent by Governments and organizations to the Executive Secretary of ESCAP concerning the composition of delegations.

XIII. Transport to and from the airport

Participants should make their own transportation arrangements from Suvarnabhumi Airport to their respective hotels. Limousine, metered-taxi and bus services are readily available at the airport. Detailed information about Suvarnabhumi Airport can be found at http://www.suvarnabhumiairport.com.

To avail themselves of the limousines and public metered-taxis services as indicated above, it is strongly recommended that participants approach only the authorized staff at the official counters located in the airport arrival zone, who, upon request, will issue a ticket for the assignment of either a limousine or a public metered taxi for transporting passengers to the desired destination. Participants may reach public taxi counters by exiting gates 4 or 7 of the arrival zone at Suvarnabhumi Airport. In addition to toll fees, there is a THB 50 surcharge to be added to the meter charge for trips from the airport to the city.

XIV. Transport to attend meetings

Most hotels previously indicated provide complimentary transport, according to fixed schedules, to and from UNCC. Otherwise, participants must make their own transport arrangements in order to attend meetings.

XV. Internet services

Eight personal computers (PCs) with a high-speed Internet connection are available in the Internet Café on level 1 of UNCC for the use of participants free of charge. In addition, free wireless Internet access is available in all conference and meeting rooms and in the public areas of UNCC.

XVI. Catering services

Catering services are available at the cafeteria on level 1 of UNCC from 11:00 to 14:00 hours. Rajapruek Lounge, on the ground floor of UNCC, is open from 07:00 to 17:00 hours on Monday to Thursday, and from 07:00 to 19:00 hours on Friday. The Canteen, on the ground floor of the Service Building, is open from 07:00 to 13:00 hours. In addition, the Coffee Corner, which serves sandwiches, pastries, coffee, tea and soft drinks, is located on level 1, UNCC, and is open from 07:00 to 17:00 hours.

XVII. Correspondence/communications

Mail intended for participants during the sixty-ninth session should be addressed as follows:

(Name of delegate) c/o ESCAP Secretariat United Nations Building Rajadamnern Nok Avenue Bangkok 10200 Thailand Fax: (662) 288-3022, (662) 288-1000 E-mail address: escap-conference-management@un.org

XVIII. Meeting Documents

Pre-session documents will be issued in all official languages of the Commission and can be downloaded from www.unescap.org/commission/69 when they are issued. In addition, the secretariat has established a Twitter account @UNESCAPCS, which delegates can follow to receive all Commission-related documents.

As part of the effort by the Commission to reduce the amount of paper used in conjunction with its sessions, please note that USB flash drives containing the pre-session documents and other session information will be distributed to each participant upon registration, while only one printed set of the Commission's documents will be distributed to each delegation. Delegations needing more than one copy are kindly requested to bring their own additional copies. Documents also may be reproduced for an additional fee at the self-service copy centre located in the UNCC.

Furthermore, to facilitate downloading and access to documents all meeting rooms and public areas will be fully equipped with Wi-Fi connections and power sources, and upon request one laptop computer will be available for loan to each member State delegation.

Other documents for circulation or distribution prior to or at the Commission session should be delivered in both hard copy and electronic form to Mr. Adnan Aliani, Secretary of the Commission (email: aliani.unescap@un.org), Office of the Executive Secretary, 15th Floor, Block A, United Nations Building. Prior notification of such a request would be greatly appreciated. In accordance with United Nations regulations for the control and limitation of documentation, the secretariat cannot undertake to process and/or reproduce documents or statements submitted by individual delegations unless the Commission specifically takes a decision to that effect and accepts the financial implications thereof.

XIX. Social Events

Delegations wishing to host cocktail receptions, luncheons, dinners or refreshment breaks are invited to give prior notice to the Secretary of the Commission in order to facilitate the coordination and notification of events by the secretariat.

XX. About the host country—Thailand

Touristic information on Thailand can be found on the website of the Tourism Authority of Thailand at www.tourismthailand.org.