Information Note

VI. Weather

16. 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

17. Upon arrival at the port of entry in Thailand, participants who are the 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.

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. 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.

20. 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. For further information, please read the attached Zika virus FAQ.

21. 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.

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

VIII. Foreign currency declaration

23. 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

24. 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 ground floor of the Secretariat Building.

X. Hotel accommodation

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. In the event that accommodation at any of the 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.

29. 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 makes no guarantee, either expressed or implied, as to the exactness of the hotel information or availability of rooms at the rates listed.

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

*. Driving distance (in minutes) is dependent on local road conditions and the information presented here should only be used as indicative.

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

31. 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

32. 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.

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

ESCAP Protocol
Fax: +66 2 288-3029
E-mail: escap-da-cs72@un.org

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

35. 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

36. 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

37. 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

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

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

XV. Internet services

40. Free wireless internet access is available in all conference and meeting rooms and in the public areas of the UNCC.

XVI. Accessbility

41. An accessibility centre, equipped with a number of assistive devices to facilitate the participation of persons with disabilities in meetings, is located on level 1 of the UNCC next to the cafeteria.

42. Equipment and technologies available at the centre include screen readers, reading enlargers, braille information instruments, braille priners, DAISY players, mobile controllers, specialized mouse devices, barcode readers, wheelchairs, touch monitors and audio amplifiers.

43. For more information or specific accessibility requirements, please send an email to escap-conference-management@un.org

XVII. Catering services

44. Catering services are available at the following locations during the Commission Session:

• Rajapruek Lounge, located on the ground floor of the UNCC, is open from 07:00 to 17:00 hours on Monday through Thursday.
• Cafeteria, located on level 1 of the UNCC, is open from 11:00 to 14:00 hours for lunch on Sunday through Thursday.
• Coffee Corner, which serves sandwiches, pastries, coffee, tea and soft drinks, is located on level 1 of the UNCC, is open from 07:00 to 17:00 hours on Sunday through Thursday.
• Canteen, located on the ground floor of the Service Building, is open from 07:00 to 13:00 hours on Monday through Thursday.

XVIII. 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: escap-conference-management@un.org

XIX. 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 and associate member delegation. This set will be printed on demand. Delegates are requested to contact the Document Distribution Centre (the pigeon holes), located next to Conference Room 1 on level 2 of UNCC, to request their printed copy. 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

48. Touch screen kiosks containing the programme, order of the day, list of participants and other related information will be placed at various locations around the UNCC.

49. Documents for circulation or distribution at the Commission session should be handed to Mr. Mitchell Hsieh, Secretary of the Commission, a.i. (email: hsieh@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.

XX. Social events

50. 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.

XXI. Library facilities