General Information

Bangkok
Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is a city that combines ancient traditions with modern cultural diversities. Amid its concrete and glass high-rises, multi-lane expressways, and bustling urban sprawl, Bangkok still remains a city of temples and palaces, of golden spires and orange-tiered roofs, of saffronrobed monks and serene Buddha images. Amazingly, in the midst of dynamic growth, the city of Bangkok manages to preserve its cultural heritage to a marked degree. Also known as the City of Angels (Krung Thep, in Thai), Bangkok offers plenty of reasons to join a fruitful congress and enjoy a pleasant stay!

Venue and date
The XVI ISBT Regional Congress, Asia will take place in Bangkok, November 12 – 15, 2005 at the Bangkok Convention Centre (BCC). The Bangkok Convention Centre (BCC) is fully equipped with excellent exhibition and convention facilities making it an ideal venue for the event. It has direct links to the Sofitel Central Plaza Bangkok, one of the city’s finest hotels and the Central Ladprao Shopping Center, a heaven for shoppers. In addition, the BCC is strategically located mid-way between the Bangkok International Airport and downtown area, which is accessible via the BTS Skytrain and the newly opened Bangkok underground commuter system.

Banking Service / Currency
Thailand’s official currency is the Thai Baht (approx. Euro 1=Bt55). All major credit cards are widely accepted throughout the Kingdom. Most foreign currencies and traveller’s cheques are easily changed at banks, hotels, or moneychangers. Banks
are open from 09.00-16.00 hrs (Monday-Friday). ATMs (automatic teller machines) are located at the Congress Centre, the airport, and many places throughout the city.

Electricity supply
The electricity in Thailand is supplied at 220 volts, 50 cycles/sec. Most power outlets in Bangkok hotels are two-pronged, but adapter plugs are available upon request.

Exhibition
A commercial exhibition of pharmaceutical items and technical equipment will be organised during the congress. Interested companies please contact the congress organiser for further information.
Eurocongres Conference Management
Jan van Goyenkade 11
1075 HP Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Tel.: +31 20 679 3411, Fax: +31 20 673 7306
E-mail: isbt.bangkok@eurocongres.com

Insurance
The XVI Regional Congress of the ISBT, Asia, accepts no liability for any personal injury, loss or damage of property belonging or additional expenses incurred to congress participants either during the congress or as result of delays, strikes or any other circumstances. Participants are requested to make their own arrangements with respect to health and travel insurance.

Language
The official congress language will be English.

Lunch
Lunch will be included in the registration fee from Saturday until Tuesday.

Programme changes
The organisers cannot assume liability for any changes in the programme due to external or unforeseen circumstances. Changes will be mentioned on message screens throughout the congress centre.

Registration hours
The registration area in the Bangkok Convention Centre will be open at the following hours:

Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday

November 11 November 12 November 13 November 14 November 15

12.00 – 17.00 hours 07.30 – 17.00 hours 08.00 – 17.00 hours 08.00 – 17.00 hours 08.00 – 15.00 hours

Shopping in Bangkok
Bangkok is a major shopping heaven. There’s plenty of opportunities to indulge yourself for excellent buys – from unique souvenirs and handicrafts to a host of luxury buys, including silks, antiques, gems and jewellery. Most shopping malls are open everyday from 10.00 – 22.00 hrs. Night bazaars such as the Suan Lum Night Bazaar along Wireless Road open at 18.00 hrs. until midnight. The famous Chatuchak Weekend Market is open from 06.00 – 18.00 hrs every Saturday and Sunday only.

Travel and visa
Upon request, the Congress Organiser is willing to send you a letter of invitation. It should be understood that this letter will be sent only to help participants to raise travel funds or to obtain a visa. A letter of invitation is not a commitment on the part of the organisers to provide any financial support.
Applications for a letter of invitation should be sent to the Congress Organiser before September 1, 2005. Please note that only registered delegates who paid their Congress fees may apply for a letter of invitation. Applications received after September 1, 2005, will not be dealt with.

Visitors to Thailand as a tourist for 30 days or less with a valid passport and a confirmed ticket to leave Thailand within 30 days and sufficient funds do not require a visa under the Thai Government Visa Exemption Scheme.
Countries whose nationals are exempted from visa and are permitted to stay in the Kingdom not exceeding 30 days are as follows:

1. Australia 2. Austria 3. Belgium 4. Brazil 5. Bahrain 6. Brunei Darussalam 7. Canada 8. Denmark 9. Finland 10. France 11. Germany 12. Greece 13. Hong Kong SAR 14. Indonesia 15. Ireland 16. Israel 17. Italy 18. Japan 19. South Korea 20. Kuwait

21. Luxembourg 22. Malaysia 23. Netherlands 24.New Zealand 25. Norway 26. Peru 27. Philippines 28. Portugal 29.Qatar 30. Singapore 31. Spain 32.South Africa 33. Sweden 34. Switzerland 35. Turkey 36.United Arab Emirates 37. United Kingdom 38. United States of America 39. Vietnam

However, visitors from the above countries planning to stay in the Kingdom for more than 30 days, must obtain a Visa prior to arrival in Thailand. Otherwise, extension of stay will not be permitted.

Temporary Tourist VISA: VISA on Arrival

• According to the Interior Ministerial Announcements, passport holders from 14 countries may apply for visas at the immigration checkpoints for the purpose of tourism for the period of not exceeding 15 days.
  
• The applicant must possess instrument of means of living expenses 10,000 Baht per person and 20,000 Baht per family accordingly.
  
• The applicant must produce instrument of means of transport (full paid ticket) which is usable within 15 days since the date of entry.
  
• Visa on arrival is provided at 23 designated international checkpoints and applicants should produce the application form to which his/her recent photograph (2,5 inches) is attached. The application fee is 1,000 Baht.
  
• Visitors who enter the Kingdom with Visa on Arrival generally cannot file an application for extension of stay except in special cases such as illness which prevents them from travelling, etc. They can submit an application at the Office of Immigration Bureau , Immigration Division 1, Soi Suan Plu, South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120. Tel. (662) 287-3127 or 287-3101-10 ext. 2264-5 or at website http://www.police.go.th/frconten.htm

1. taxis that queue outside the airport and charge 50 Thai baht surcharge on top of the metered fare
   
2. limousines, which cost approximately 650 Thai baht
   
3. airport buses, which cost approximately 75 Thai baht

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