Dates of the meetings: 14-18 October 2013
Venue: The Swissotel Le Concorde Bangkok
204 Rachadapisek Road, Huay Kwang
Bangkok 10320 ▪ Thailand
Tel: +66 2694 2222 ▪ Fax: +66 2694 2218
Website at www.swissotel.com/bangkok-leconcorde
Accommodation
The hotel is conveniently linked to all parts of the vibrant Bangkok. The Huai Kwang train station is a two-minute walk from the hotel. Easily accessible roads, expressways and subways bring guests to Bangkok’s central business district, Queen’s Sirikit National Convention Centre (5
MRT stops from the hotel – 10 minutes), other prime tourist attractions within minutes (e.g.
Jatujak weekend market – 5 MRT stops, MBK and Siam Centre 5-6 MRT/BTS stops).
For the sake of convenience, a block of room at the Swissotel Le Concorde Bangkok has been reserved and offered the following special rates for the ANQ 2013 delegates.
Classic Room (Superior)
– Single Room @ Baht 2,400 net per room per night
– Twin Room @ Baht 2,700 net per room per night
Classic Benefits :
− Daily buffet breakfast
− Welcome drink & fresh fruit bowl upon arrival
− Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout public area and Broadband
Internet Connectivity in room.
− Complimentary daily newspaper
− 15% discount at Business Center
− 15% discount at F&B outlets
(except alcoholic beverage and promotional items)
− 10% discount at Spa De Concorde
Premier Room (Deluxe)
– Single Room @ Baht 3,200 net per room per night
– Twin Room @ Baht 3,500 net per room per night
Premier Benefits
− Daily buffet breakfast
− Welcome drink & fresh fruit bowl upon arrival
− Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout public area and Broadband
Internet Connectivity in room.
− Complimentary daily newspaper
− 15% discount at Business Center
− 15% discount at F&B outlets (except alcoholic beverage and promotional items)
− 20% discount at laundry services
− 20% discount at Spa De Concorde
Swiss Executive Room
– Single Room @ Baht 4,000 net per room per night
– Twin Room @ Baht 4,500 net per room per night
Swiss Executive Benefits :
− Executive Club lounge membership including; Express check- in and check out, evening cocktail, all day coffee and daily breakfast.
− Use of executive Club Meeting Room (2 hours per day)
− Use of private gym on Executive Club Floor.
− Complimentary regular laundry or pressing (3 pcs. per day)
− Daily newspaper
− Welcome drink & fresh fruit bowl
− Individual coffee machine in room
Internet Connectivity in room.
− Complimentary unlimited local phone calls (excluding mobile number)
− 20% discount at Spa De Concorde
− 20% discount at laundry services
− 15% discount at Business Center
− 15% discount at F&B outlets (excluding promotional items)
As October is the peak tourist season, ANQ 2013 delegates are encouraged to make hotel reservation as soon as possible. It should be made directly to the hotel by filling up the accommodation form no later than 15 August 2013.
Confirmation on the hotel booking will be sent to delegates by the hotel.
Registration
Pre-registrations are encouraged and can be done through the ANQ 2013 Website.
Upon arrival, however, delegates are invited to inform the ANQ 2013 Registration desk which will be located at the SQAT Secretariat room on the 3rd floor of the hotel where the delegates will receive their name badges and the latest meeting programme. Delegates are requested to wear their name badges during the meetings and social events.
The ANQ 2013 Registration and information desk will be opened on Monday 14 – Wednesday 16 October 2013 (8.30-17.00).
Transportation from Suvarnabhumi International Airport to the meeting venue
Suvarnabhumi International Airport is located in Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan province, about 30 kms or 18.6 miles east of Bangkok.
To reach the Swissotel Le Concorde Bangkok from the airport, delegates have the following choices:
By hotel limousine
To make reservation, delegates can indicate their requests by completing the accommodation form of the hotel.
By taxi
There is a licensed airport taxi service available at the taxi counter Level 1 of the Arrival Hall of Suvarnabhumni Airport. The taxi fare is upon meter plus 50 Baht airport surcharge, and expressway fees.
By Airport Link
The Airport Link from Suvarnabhumi International Airport will provide 2 transit options:
A Direct Express Train that will take 15 minutes to the City Air Terminal train station
(Makkasan Station). This service will connect to the city’s mass transit subway system.
The Commuter Train will make eight stops throughout the route, taking 25-30 minutes to travel from the airport to Makkasan Station, and then Phayathai Station which connects to BTS Sky Train.
For more details, go to www.bangkokairportrain.com.
Social Event
Welcome reception for all delegates and accompanying persons will be hosted by SQAT on Wednesday (evening) 16 October 2013. More details will be announced at the later stage. Delegates who wish to join the social event are requested to indicate their attendance on the meeting registration form.
Tentative meeting programme
Date |
Morning
(9.00-12.30)
|
Afternoon
(13.30-17.00)
|
Room |
Monday 14 October 2013 | CEC Meeting | CEC Meeting |
Intanin (3rd floor) |
Tuesday 15 October 2013 | Board Meeting | Board Meeting | Intanin (3rd floor) |
General Assembly | Intanin (3rd floor) | ||
Wednesday 16 October 2013 | ANQ Congress | Le Concorde Ballroom (2nd floor) | |
Parallel Sessions | 7 breakout rooms (3rd floor) | ||
Thursday 17 October 2013 | Parallel Sessions | 7 breakout rooms (3rd floor) | |
Parallel Sessions | 7 breakout rooms (3rd floor) | ||
ANQ Congress | Le Concorde Ballroom (2nd floor) | ||
Friday 18 October 2013 | Technical Visit Group 1 | More details will be available soon | |
Technical Visit Group 2 | More details will be available soon |
• Morning sessions: 09.00 to 12.30
• Lunch : 12.30 to 13.30
• Afternoon session: 13.30 to 17.00
• Coffee break: 10.30 to 10.45 and 15.30 to 15.45
Meeting facilities:
• The meeting rooms are located on the 2nd and the 3rd floors of the Swissotel Le Concorde
Bangkok
• All meeting rooms will be equipped with LCD projector and screen.
Secretariat room
• The SQAT Staff / Secretariat room will be located at Boontarik room (3rd floor)
General Information
About Thailand
Bangkok is the capital city and centre of political, commercial, industrial and cultural activities. It covers an area of more than 1,500 square kilometres, and it is home to approximately ten million people or more than 10% of the country’s population. Bangkok offers visitors the opportunity to experience fascinating glimpse of Thailand’s gentle culture amidst the bustle of a great and dynamic metropolis. This great city has had astounding success in combining the ancient and modern world. It is also the seat of Thailand’s revered Royal Family, with His Majesty the King recognized as Head of State, Head of the Armed Forces, Upholder of the Buddhist religion and Upholder of all religions.
Climate
May (average temperature 34 degrees Celsius and 75% humidity); rainy with plenty of
Bangkok has a hot, tropical climate with daytime temperature reaching the mid-30s throughout the year. November to February is the driest time of year and the most popular with tourists. March, April and May are the hottest months, and the rainy season runs from June to October. During the wet season short showers are likely during the afternoon, though some days it will rain all day.
Time
The time in Thailand is seven hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+7 hours GMT). Thailand does not observe daylight savings.
Electricity
The electric current is 220 volt AC (50 cycles) throughout the country. Many different types of plugs and sockets are in use. Visitors from the USA and those not on the 220/50 volt will have to bring adapters to run most other appliances. Hotels generally prepare converter plugs for guests to borrow.
Dress code
Light, loose cotton clothes are sensible and a jacket is required for formal meetings and dining in top restaurants. When visiting Buddhist temples, long pants are required.
Business hours
Government offices are generally open between 8.30 to 16.30 hrs with a noon to 13.00 hrs lunch break, Monday to Friday except on public holidays.
Many stores open seven days a week from 10.00 to 22.00 hrs.
Thai banks hours are generally open Mondays to Fridays from 8.30 to 15.30 hrs except on public holidays.
Currency and Currency exchange
The Thai unit of currency is the baht, 1 baht is divided into 100 satang. Note are in denominations of 1,000 (brown), 500 (purple), 100 (red), 50 (blue), and 20 (green) baht. Coins consist of 25 satang, 50 satang, 1 baht, 2 baht, 5 baht and 10 baht.
Major currency bills and travelers cheques are cashed easily at hotels, tourist shops, all provincial banks, shopping centres and money changers. Travellers cheques are best changed in banks (you will need your passport). Rates of exchange at banks or authorized money changers are better than those at hotels and department stores.
Visa and Master Card are the credit cards most widely accepted followed by American
Express.
Tipping is not a usual practice in Thailand although it is becoming more common. Most hotels and restaurants add a 10% service charge onto the bill. Taxi drivers do not require a tip, but the gesture is appreciated and 10-20 baht is acceptable for porters.
Visa
Nationals from 41 countries* and 1 special administrative region (Hong Kong SAR) are not required to obtain a visa when entering Thailand for tourism purposes and will be permitted to stay in the Kingdom for a period not exceeding 30 days on each visit. For visitors form 20 countries*, temporary tourist visa valid for 15 days may be obtained at any of the 23 designated immigration checkpoints.
Note * For more details, please contact the Thai Embassy/Consulate in your country or visit
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Thailand at https://www.mfa.go.th.
Delegates requiring a visa for entering Thailand are kindly requested to make the necessary application soon enough through the nearest Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate. TISI is willing to issue an individual letter of invitation upon request.
Visas on arrival can be obtained at Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Visitors must have a fully paid ticket which enable them to travel out of the Kingdom within the stipulated time. The application for a visa must be accompanied by photograph as well as the necessary fee.
Useful website
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.mfa.go.th
Tourism authority of Thailand: https://www.tourismthailand.org
Bangkok Tourism Division: https://www.bangkoktourist.com
Thai Airways International: https://www.thaiair.com
Tourist Police: https://tourist.police.go.th
BTS Sky Train: https://www.bts.co.th