Information Note

VI. Weather

15. 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).

VII. Health and vaccination

16. Upon arrival at the port of entry in Thailand, participants who have traveled 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.

17. As nationals of the countries listed below who have not traveled 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.

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

1. Angola
2. Argentina
3. Benin
4. Bolivia
5. Brazil
6. Burkina Faso
7. Burundi
8. Cameroon
9. Central African Republic
10. Chad
11. Columbia
12. Republic of Congo
13. Côte d’Ivoire
14. Democratic Republic of Congo
15. Ecuador
16. Equatorial Guinea
17. Ethiopia
18. French Guiana
19. Gabon
20. Gambia
21. Ghana
22. Guinea
23. Guinea Bissau
24. Guyana
25. Kenya
26. Liberia
27. Mali
28. Mauritania
29. Niger
30. Nigeria
31. Panama
32. Paraguay
33. Peru
34. Rwanda
35. Sao Tome & Principe
36. Senegal
37. Sierra Leone
38. Somalia
39. Sudan
40. Suriname
41. Tanzania
42. Togo
43. Trinidad & Tobago
44. Uganda
45. Venezuela

19. In view of the current outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in some west African countries, the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand also requires all individuals who have stayed in or visited Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, and Equator (city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo) within the past three weeks (21 days) to identify themselves at the Health Control Office at Suvarnabhumi International Airport BEFORE proceeding to immigration.

20. Travelers from EVD and Yellow Fever affected countries are both required to complete a health declaration form before an immigration check. Those who fail to follow this protocol may be denied entry to Thailand (as per the country’s Communicable Disease Act B.E. 2523 and Immigration Act B.E. 2522).

21. In addition to the above, all United Nations staff traveling from any of the EVD-affected countries (Guinea, Liberia, Mali, and Sierra Leone) within the past 21 days, are also required to complete the MSD EXIT Clinical Assessment form. Please ensure that the form is duly certified by a United Nations Medical Officer/Physician or approved United Nations Examining Physician in the EVD-affected country/duty station. The certified form should be forwarded to the Medical Service in Bangkok before travel [email protected]).

22. 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 07:30 to 15:45 hours, with the exception of lunch time from 12:00 to 12:45 hours. Appointments may be made through extensions 1352 or 1761.

23. 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.

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

VIII. Foreign currency declaration

25. Any person who carries 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.

IX. Airline reservations

26. 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 fourth floor of the Service Building.

X. Hotel accommodation

27. 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.

28. Participants are responsible for booking their own rooms and are requested to contact the hotel directly at least 10 working days in advance to provide the participant’s full name, date and time of check-in and check-out, flight numbers and contact details.

29. All rooms block-booked will be available to participants on a first-come, first-served basis. 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.

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

31. The information below is provided for the convenience of the participants. While efforts have been made to ensure that the information is as accurate as possible, ESCAP or UNCC make no guarantee, either expressed or implied, as to the exactness of the hotel information or availability of rooms at the rates listed.

32. The rates provided in the table are accurate as of 1 January 2015 and subject to change without notice. Please confirm the room rates with the hotel directly.

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. (Note: Hotel Dé Moc and Trang Hotel have one-way transfer from hotel to UNCC.)

c. Free Internet Access.

XI. Payment of hotel accounts

33. 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.

XII. Protocol arrangements

34. In order for the secretariat to provide proper protocol arrangements for participating heads of delegation at the ministerial level and above, ESCAP would appreciate receiving information on their arrival and departure flight details at least two weeks in advance of their arrival in Bangkok.

35. The flight details of participants at the ministerial level and above should be communicated to:

ESCAP Protocol
Fax: +66 2 288-3029
E-mail: [email protected]

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

37. 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 from and to Airport

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

39. To avail themselves of the limousines and public metered-taxis services, it is strongly recommended that participants contact only the authorized officials at the counters located in the airport arrival zone. The officials, upon contact, will issue a ticket for the assignment of either a limousine or a public metered-taxi for transporting passengers to the desired destination. In addition to toll fees, there is a surcharge to be added to the meter charge from airport to the city. Please refer to the airport website noted above for details.

XIV. Transport to attend meetings

40. Participants should make their own transport arrangements to and from the UNCC. Metered-taxis are readily available in the city.

41. Many hotels close to the United Nations building generally provide complimentary transport, according to fixed schedules, to and from UNCC.

XV. Internet services

42. Eight personal computers (PCs) with 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 the UNCC.

XVI. Catering services

44. Catering services are available at the cafeteria, which is located on level 1 of UNCC, from 11:00 to 14:00 hours for lunch. Rajapruek Lounge, on the ground floor of UNCC, is open from 07:00 to 17:00 hours Monday through 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, a 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. Communications

45. Mail intended for participants during the session should be addressed as follows:

(Name of delegate)
c/o ESCAP Secretariat
United Nations Building
Rajdamnern Nok Avenue
Bangkok 10200
Thailand
Fax: +66.2.2883022, +66.2.2881000
E-mail address: [email protected]

XVIII. Meeting documents/paper smart meeting

46. As part of the efforts by the Commission to reduce the amount of paper used in conjunction with its sessions, only one printed set of documents will be distributed to each member State delegation. This printed set will available for collection, during the session, at the Document Distribution Centre (the pigeon holes), located next to Conference Room 1 on level 2 of UNCC . Participants are requested to bring with them any additional copies they may require at the meeting.

47. All pre-session documents will be made available in the four official languages as they are issued at http://www.unescap.org/commission. Participants may follow the Commission session Twitter account at https://www.twitter.com/UNESCAPCS to receive updates automatically in their Twitter feed.

48. Documents for circulation or distribution at the Commission session should be handed to Mr. Mitchell Hsieh, Secretary of the Commission, a.i. (email: [email protected]), 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

49. 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. Library facilities