Asian Climate Training (ACT) 7-18 May 2002 Bangkok, Thailand CITY INFORMATION

VENUE and ACCOMMODATION

ACT will be held at the Montien Riverside Hotel. For secure and reliable transportation from Bangkok International Airport to the Montien Riverside, we recommend you to hire Thai Limousine. Drivers speak English and they will ensure you reach your destination. After passing through the Customs and entering the airport lobby, please go to Counter 7 to arrange a Thai Limousine rental. The Montien is 45-60 minutes from the Airport. The fare is approximately Thai baht 650 (US$ 15). You may also take public taxis, which are located just outside the terminal. Please go to the designated taxi stand and present the map or address to the Montien Riverside Hotel on Rama 3 Road. The fare is approximately 350 baht.

Montien Riverside Hotel
372 Rama 3 Road
Bangklo, Bangkok 12120
Tel: 66 2292 2999/2888 Fax: 66 2292 2962/3
website: www.montien.com/new/riverside.html

VISAS
All visitors entering Thailand must possess a valid passport.
Citizens of 57 countries, including ASEAN, US, and Australia may enter Thailand for up to 30 days without a visa. A 60-day Tourist Visa can be obtained from all Thai embassies and consulates. Those from Asia not belonging to ASEAN such as Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, and China must obtain visas from the Thai embassies in their countries.
Visa extensions may be sought at the Immigration Division, Sol Suanphlu, Bangkok 10120

HEALTH REGULATIONS
No vaccinations are required unless you are coming from or passing through contaminated areas. Please check the latest regulations with your local Health Office.

CURRENCY
The Thai unit of currency is the Baht. One US dollar = 44 baht. The baht is divided into 100 satang; copper coins are valued at 25 and 50 satang, silver coins at 1 and 5 baht, and the 10 baht coin is silver with a copper inlay. Bank notes are valued at 10 baht (brown), 20 baht (green), 50 baht (blue), 100 baht (red) and 500 baht (purple), and 1,000 Baht note (creme). US dollar travellers cheques can be conveniently cashed at all banks and authorized money changers.

NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES
Thailand's English-language newspapers, the Nation and the Bangkok Post, keep readers abreast of local and international events. Many foreign newspapers and magazines are available at hotel newsagents, supermarkets, department stores and leading bookstores.

EMBASSIES
Over sixty countries maintain embassies and consulates in Bangkok. A complete listing of such missions is featured in the Yellow Pages of the English edition of the Bangkok Telephone Directory. Within Bangkok, dial 02 before the number.

REGISTRATION
Participants will receive a kit upon their arrival, which includes the ACT course manual, registration form, ADPC brochures, and hotel information. Participants are requested to register on the first day of training at the course secretariat near the conference hall. Medical insurance coverage is not provided by ADPC, which means that participants should be prepared to cover any emergency expenses for medical purposes during their stay in Bangkok. ADPC will assume no responsibility for compensation in the event of injury, illness, death, or disability during the course or in traveling to Bangkok. Each participant is advised to make his/ her own arrangements for health and travel insurance.

ASSISTANCE
In case you need help or assistance, please contact:

• Kamal Kishore
  02 524-5354 ext. 405
  
  
• Vivian Raksakulthai
  02 524 5354 ext. 407
  
  
• Lalika Theepakorn
  02 524 5354 ext. 409
  

Other Emergency Telephone Numbers
Police: 191
Fire: 199
Hospital: 1691
Tourist Police 1155

MEALS
Breakfast is provided every day, and lunch will be provided on those days when ACT is in session.

Attractions and Shopping in Bangkok
Thailand has abundant attractions for the visitor, including mountains and national marine parks, sparkling beach resorts, ancient cities, archaeological wonders, and festivals throughout the year. In Bangkok, you will find many temples, museums, and shopping areas to keep you busy on your days out of the workshop.

GRAND PALACE AND WAT PHRA KAEW
The Grand Palace is open daily 8:30-11:30 and 13:00-15:30. Established by King Rama I as the royal compound, the 61-acre area contains the former royal residences, the Chakrl Maha Prasat, the Dusit Mahaprasat, the Amarin, the Phalsanthaksin and the Chakkraphatpiman. Distinctive Thai-style crenellated walls and fortifications surround it. The general layout of the complex is similar to that of the Royal Palace during the Ayuthaya period. Wat Phra Kaew (the Royal Chapel) is located in the grounds of the Grand Palace. Built by King Rama I in 1782, it contains a Buddha image carved from a single block of emerald. Wall paintings in the porches surrounding the temple illustrate the Ramayana story, while interior murals depict the life of the Buddha. An admission fee of 200 Baht is charged which also allows you to visit the Vimanmek Palace near Dusit Zoo.

Vimanmek Palace is reputedly the world's largest teakwood building. The four story “Castle in the Clouds" built by King Rama V, stands by a lake on shady grounds. The palace also has an impressive collection of paintings, objects of art and royal jewelry. It is open daily from 9:30 to 15:15, with an admission fee of 50 baht.

DOWNTOWN SHOPPING AREAS
The Montien runs an hourly shuttle to the Central Department store (every half-hour in the evening). They will also be happy to arrange special transport for groups of guests who would like to visit other areas of Bangkok.
Sukhumvit

Sukhumvit Road is one of the three longest roads In Thailand, extending to the Cambodian border. Within Bangkok, the street is known for its fashionable residences, hotels, apartments, guesthouses and a large number of good restaurants. In the area from Soi Nana to Soi 21 (Asok Intersection), there are many shops catering to tourists, with jewelry, leather goods, ready-made garments and souvenirs for sale, as well as tailoring, car rental and other services. You can also enjoy the nightlife in areas such as Soi Cowboy (Asok) and Soi Thong Lo (Sukhumvit 65). (Bus no. 2, 26, 40, 48)

Yaowarat (Chinatown)
Chinatown Is located just to the southeast of the old town. It began to take shape at the same time as the establishment of Bangkok, when Chinese inhabiting the old town areas were moved outside the city walls. The street of gold shops and temple of the Golden Buddha are In Chinatown. (Bus no. 1, 3, 5, 7, 21, 25,37)

Siam Square-Pratunam
This is the biggest and busiest shopping district in Bangkok where almost all kinds of goods are available, including textiles, garments, jewelry, handicrafts, books, antiques, etc. There are several large department stores, shopping arcades and countless smaller shops, as well as a dozen cinemas and mini-theatres. The Pratunam Market is next to the Indra Arcade. It is also market of garments for export. (Bus no. 15, 16, 21, 25, 40, 48, 54, 73)

Silom-Surawong
Today, the Silom and Surawong areas are Bangkok's most important business and financial center. From end to end, these parallel streets are full of multi-story buildings, housing complexes, banks, finance firms, insurance companies, export-import houses, hotels, airline offices, restaurants, shopping arcades, department stores and entertainment spots. A small street between Silom and Surawong has become famous (or infamous) over the last 30 years for bars and nightclubs. Known as Patpong, it offers various kinds of entertainment with drinks, music, dancing, etc. (Bus no. 15, 76, 77, 115)