Information for participants I. General

EDD/UNCSD/RIM/INF/1
Distr.: For participants only
22 March 2013
English only
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
The Asian and Pacific Regional Implementation Meeting on Rio+20 Outcomes
Bangkok, 22-24 April 2013
Information for participants
I.
General
1.
The Asian and Pacific Regional Implementation Meeting on Rio+20
Outcomes is scheduled to be held at the United Nations Conference Centre
(UNCC), Bangkok, from 22 to 24 April 2013.
2.
The meeting will be inaugurated at 0900 hours on Monday, 22 April
2013 in Conference room 2, Level 2, UNCC.
II. Registration of participants
3.
Participants are requested to register and obtain meeting badges at the
registration counter, located on the ground floor, UNCC, between 0800 and
0845 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, before going to the conference room. Only the names of
duly registered participants will be included in the list of participants.
4.
For identification and security reasons, all participants are requested to
wear their meeting badges at all times during meetings, social functions in the
United Nations complex. The loss of meeting badges should be reported to the
Conference Management Unit, located on the ground floor of UNCC behind
the registration counter, so that new badges can be issued immediately.
III.
A.
Visa requirements
Visa exemption for a maximum of 14, 30 or 90 days for ordinary
passport holders
5.
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.
EDD/UNCSD/RIM/INF/1

1.
Cambodia

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
Visa exemption for a maximum of 30 days
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Belgium
Brunei Darussalam
Canada
Czech Republic
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hong Kong, China
Hungary
Iceland
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Kuwait
Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Macao, China

1.
2.
3.
Visa exemption for a maximum of 14 days
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
Malaysia
Monaco
Mongolia
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Oman
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Russian Federation
Singapore
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States of America
Viet Nam
Visa exemption for a maximum of 90 days
Argentina
Brazil
Chile
4.
5.
Peru
Republic of Korea
B. Visa exemption for a maximum of 30 or 90 days for
diplomatic/official passport holders
6.
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:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
2
Visa exemption for a maximum of 30 days
Cambodia
China
Hong Kong, China
Indonesia
Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Macao, China
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Mexico
Mongolia
Myanmar
Oman
Viet Nam
EDD/UNCSD/RIM/INF/1

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
C.
Visa exemption for a maximum of 90 days
Argentina
Austria
Belgium
Bhutan
Brazil
Chile
Costa Rica
Croatia
Czech Republic
Estonia (Diplomatic Passport only)
France (Diplomatic Passport only)
Germany
Hungary
India
Israel
Italy
Japan
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Malaysia
Mexico
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
Nepal
Netherlands
Oman
Panama
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Republic of Korea
Romania
Russian Federation
Singapore
Slovak Republic
South Africa
Spain (Diplomatic Passport only)
Switzerland
Tunisia
Turkey
Ukraine
Uruguay
Visa on arrival for a maximum 15-day stay
7.
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:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
8.
Andorra
Bulgaria
Bhutan
China
Cyprus
Estonia
Ethiopia
India
Kazakhstan
Latvia
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
Lithuania
Maldives
Malta
Mauritius
Romania
San Marino
Saudi Arabia
Ukraine
Uzbekistan
The requirements for a visa on arrival are as follows:
(a) 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;
(b) 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.
9.
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.
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EDD/UNCSD/RIM/INF/1
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.
IV.
Weather
10.
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).
V.
Health and vaccination
11.
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.
12.
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.
13.
The countries/areas listed below have been declared yellow fever
infected areas:
1.
Angola
24. Guyana
2.
Argentina
25. Kenya
3.
Bolivia
26. Liberia
4.
Brazil
27. Mali
5.
Benin
28. Mauritania
6.
Burundi
29. Niger
7.
Burkina Faso
30. Nigeria
8.
Cameroon
31. Panama
9.
Central African Republic
32. Paraguay
10. Chad
33. Peru
11. Colombia
34. Rwanda
12. Congo
35. Sao Tome and Principe
13. Côte d’Ivoire
36. Senegal
14. Democratic Republic of the Congo
37. Sierra Leone
15. Ecuador
38. Somalia
16. Equatorial Guinea
39. Sudan
17. Ethiopia
40. Suriname
18. French Guiana
41. United Republic of Tanzania
19. Gabon
42. Togo
20. Gambia
43. Trinidad and Tobago
21. Ghana
44. Uganda
22. Guinea
45. Venezuela
23. Guinea Bissau
14.
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
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EDD/UNCSD/RIM/INF/1
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.
15.
The United Nations buildings are smoke-free areas. Smoking is
permitted only in designated areas outside the buildings.
VI.
Declaration of foreign currency
16.
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.
17.
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.
VII.
Hotel accommodation
Fully Sponsored participants
18.
Please refer to the acceptance letter which will indicate the conditions
of sponsorship and arrangements for accommodation if any. For participants
for whom accommodation is provided (please refer to the acceptance letter),
block booking has been made at the Royal Princess Hotel Larn Luang, close to
ESCAP. The address of the hotel is as follow:
Royal Princess Larn Luang Hotel
269 Larnluang Road
Bangkok
Tel: (622) 281-3088
Fax: (622) 280-1314
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.royalprincesslarnluang.com
Contact person:
Ms. Benjarat Rusakul
19.
ESCAP will directly settle accommodation expenses for those for
whom accommodation is provided. This will include the standard single room
rate, including breakfast. Participants will need to settle all additional expenses
(i.e. additional nights, additional meals, cost for accompanying persons,
telephone bills, mini-bar, etc.) at their own responsibility.
Others
20.
The following hotels, located close to ESCAP, have been designated as
recommended hotels. A longer list of hotels is available at
http://www.unescap.org/commission/69/info-for-participants. Non-sponsored
participants are requested to book directly with the hotel of their choice, and
settle directly with the respective hotels all personal accounts, such as for local
and long-distance telephone calls, internet use, business centre use, laundry,
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EDD/UNCSD/RIM/INF/1
room service and hotel transportation services, as well as mini-bar items and
restaurant and bar services.
Name and address
Royal Princess Larn Luang Hotel 
269 Larnluang Road
Bangkok
Tel: (622) 281-3088/Fax: (622) 280-1314
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.royalprincesslarnluang.com
Contact person:
Ms. Benjarat Rusakul
Driving
distance
to UNCC
(min.)
5-10
Room type
Daily room rates
(Baht)
Superior
Single
2,500a/b/c
Double
2,700a/b/c
Deluxe
2,800a/b/c
3,000a/b/c
Suite 1 bed
Room
7,000a/b/c
7,500a/b/c
1,700a/b
1,900a/b
Prince Palace Hotel 
488/800 Bo Bea Tower
Damrongrak Road, Klong Mahanak
Bangkok
Tel: (622) 628-1111/Fax: (622) 628-1000
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.princepalace.co.th
Contact person:
Ms. Wannajit Chulamakorn
10-15
Superior
Golden Tulip Essential Vasu Hotel 
5-10
Superior
1,400 a/b
1,400 a/b
Premium
Superior
1,600 a/b
1,600 a/b
Deluxe
1,800 a/b
1,800 a/b
Standard
1,300 a/b
1,300 a/b
Superior
1,500 a/b
1,500 a/b
(Trang Hotel)
99/1 Wisutkasat Road
Bangkok
Tel: (622) 282-2141-4/Fax: (622) 280-3610
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.tranghotelbangkok.com
Contact person:
Mr. Prasarn Thaitae
Hotel Dé Moc (former Thai Hotel) 
78 Prajatipatai Road
Bangkok
Tel: (622) 282-2833/Fax: (622) 280-1299
E-mail: [email protected]
cc: [email protected]
Website: http://www.hoteldemoc.com
Contact person:
Mr. Chaloem Phiranont
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 (morning)
transfer from hotel to UNCC.
Free Internet access.
c.
Note:
6
5-10
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
EDD/UNCSD/RIM/INF/1
notice.
VIII.
Daily subsistence allowance (only if applicable)
21.
Where a daily subsistence allowance (DSA) is payable (please refer to
your acceptance letter for details), it will be paid at prevailing United Nations
standard rates after deduction of accommodation and meals provided as per UN
rules. Participants are requested to submit copies of your passport (the page(s)
with your picture and the entry stamp into Thailand), air tickets, boarding pass
to the Secretariat staff in the meeting room on the first day of the meeting in
order to facilitate payment of subsistence allowance. Payments will be made on
the second day.
XI.
Travel and administrative arrangements (only if applicable)
22.
The Secretariat will not assume responsibility for participant
expenditures, including the following:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
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;
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;
Compensation in the event of death or disability of participants in
connection with attending the meeting;
Any loss 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; and
Any other expenses of a personal nature, not directly related to the
purpose of the meeting.
23.
For participants whose travel is sponsored by ESCAP, the UNDP office
in home country will be authorized to issue the most direct economy roundtrip
air ticket (home country/Bangkok/home country) to arrive at Bangkok as far as
possible on 21 April and depart on 25 April. Sponsored participants are kindly
requested to contact UNDP office in their respective countries regarding their
tickets, after receiving their official acceptance letters. Questions regarding
travel arrangements may be directed to Ms. Rujira Khrueachotikul at
[email protected].
24.
Where changes are made to the travel schedule provided by UNDP
local offices, the meeting secretariat must be informed as soon as possible after
arrival.
X.
Transport to and from the airport
25.
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.
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EDD/UNCSD/RIM/INF/1
26.
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.
XI.
Transport to attend meeting
27.
Most hotels previously indicated provide complimentary transport to
and from UNCC, according to fixed schedules. Otherwise, participants must
take public or other transportation.
XII.
Meeting documents
28.
XIII.
Document related to the meeting is posted on the ESCAP website at:
http://www.unescap.org/sustainable-development/forums/RIM2013/
Internet services
29.
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 UNCC.
XIV.
Catering services
30.
Arrangements for lunch will be announced. Other 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 Services Building, is open from 07:00 to
13:00 hours. 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.
XV.
Library facilities
31.
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 1330 and 1360. Further information on the ESCAP
Library can be found at www.unescap.org/unis/library.
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EDD/UNCSD/RIM/INF/1
XVI.
Postal services
32.
Postal services are available at the Post Office, United Nations Branch,
ground floor, UNCC. It is open from 0800 to 1600 hours, without a lunch break,
Monday to Friday, except for official holidays. The Post Office can be
contacted at extensions 1260 and 2114.
XVII.
Souvenir shop
33.
XVIII.
A souvenir shop is located on the first floor of UNCC.
Officers concerned with servicing the meeting
34.
For information concerning the arrangements for the meeting, please contact
the following staff members of the Environment and Development Policy Section of
Environment and Development Division:
For substantive preparation:
Mr. Masakazu Ichimura
Chief
Tel: (662) 288 1455/Fax: (662) 288 1025
E-mail: [email protected]
Ms. Hitomi Rankine
Environmental Affairs Officer
Tel: (662) 288 1429/Fax: (662) 288 1025
E-mail: [email protected]
Ms. Marit Nilses
Environmental Affairs Officer
Tel: (662) 288 1432/Fax: (662) 288 1025
E-mail: [email protected]
Ms. Wipavee Kasemsawasdi
Staff Assistant
Tel: (662) 288 1770/Fax: (662) 288 1025
E-mail: [email protected]
For travel arrangements (for sponsored participants from Government)
Ms. Rujira Khrueachotikul
Administrative Assistant
Tel: (662) 288 1526/Fax: (662) 288 1025
E-mail: [email protected]
For travel arrangements (for sponsored participants from Major Groups)
Ms. Panupatcharee Kaewprasit
Team Assistant
Tel: (662) 288 1476/Fax: (662) 288 1025
E-mail: [email protected]
____________________
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