Advancing The Rights Of Refugees In The Asia Pacific Region

Orientation Guide

The 6th Asia Pacific Consultation on Refugee Rights (APCRR 6) ,

Dear participant,

The 6th Asia Pacific Consultation on Refugee Rights, hosted by the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN), is coming up soon and we are very much looking forward to meeting everyone in Bangkok!

As previous attendees are no doubt aware, APCRR 6 serves as platform to bring together refugee rights practitioners from around the region to discuss and strategise ways to address challenges and share best practices from around the region and the globe. This year APCRR’s key theme is “Building on Positive Practices in Refugee Protection in the Asia Pacific”. APCRR is also the general body meeting for APRRN and is the forum where members elect the APRRN Steering Committee and provide the blue print for the APRRN strategic plan.

We have a wide and exciting range of participants from around the region and we hope that this will contribute to a stimulating, exciting and productive event for all of us.

This welcome guide contains information for your trip to Bangkok and for the consultation:

1. Mini map (around the venue) 2. Venue 3. Accommodation/Check-in 4. Transportation to the hotel/venue 5. Logistical information 6. Contact and Emergency Numbers 7. Other useful information A.) Opening hours, Money & Electricity B.) Things to do around the venue C.) Getting around Bangkok by Public Transport

Best regards,

Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN) Secretariat 888/12, 3rd Floor, above Profession Visa and Translation Service Co,Ltd Mahatun Plaza, Ploenchit Road 10330 Lumpini, Patumwan, Bangkok, Thailand

Tel: +66 2252 6654 E-Mail: [email protected] Web: www.aprrn.info

Advancing The Rights Of Refugees In The Asia Pacific Region

1. Mini map

2. Venue

APCRR 6 will be held at The Ambassador Hotel. For your convenience the venue and the accommodation are at the same location.

The Ambassador Hotel 171 Sukhumvit Soi 11, Bangkok 10110,Thailand

Tel: 66(0)2 254-0444 Fax: 66(0)2 253-4123 Email: [email protected] Website: www.amtel.co.th

Advancing The Rights Of Refugees In The Asia Pacific Region

3. Accommodation/Check-in

APRRN funded participants: APRRN funded participants will be provided with accommodation in a shared twin room at The Ambassador Hotel (please note that accommodation in single rooms and/or outside the conference period must be borne by the participant). Please show your passport to the hotel staff for check-in.

Self-funded participants: If your registration for guaranteed accommodation at The Ambassador Hotel has been approved and confirmed by the APRRN Secretariat, please directly check-in at the hotel with your passport. Please note that a deposit will be required upon check-in and that you will be asked to pay at the end of your stay.

IMPORTANT: You can also make your own bookings at any other hotel in Bangkok. Please feel free to contact the APRRN Secretariat should you require guidance.

General Hotel Information:  Breakfast is included when you stay at The Ambassador Hotel  Free WIFI available  Check-in: 2.00PM  Check-out: 12.00PM  Early check-in and late checkout is subject to room availability. Please directly approach The Ambassador Hotel staff

4. Transportation to the hotel/venue

Upon arrival in Bangkok, all participants are expected to make their own travel arrangements to and from Bangkok airport.

From: Bangkok International (BKK) To: The Ambassador Hotel

A convenient way to get to The Ambassador Hotel is to use the Airport Link’s City Line. The Airport Link's City Line will run every 15 minutes and the Express Line every 30 minutes. Both lines operate from 6.00 AM to midnight. Get off at the last stop Phaya Thai Station. From there you can change to the regular skytrain (BTS) system. Catch a skytrain in the direction of ‘Bearing’. You’ll alight approximately 5-7 minutes later at BTS Nana. It is a 5- minute walk to the hotel from here. Airport Link website: http://www.bangkokairporttrain.com/

Alternatively, you can also take a taxi to the hotel. Metered taxis can be found on Floor 1 of the airport. An extra airport fee of 50 THB and toll fees need to be paid by the customer and all tolls are borne by the customer.

Advancing The Rights Of Refugees In The Asia Pacific Region

From: Bangkok Don Muang International Airport (DMK) To: The Ambassador Hotel

The Airport shuttle A1 is located at the arrival platform at entrance No.7 of Terminal 1 and operates during 8.30 AM to 11.30 PM, every 20 minutes. Take the Airport shuttle A1 to the BTS station Mochit, which cost 30 THB (you pay inside the shuttle). Then take the Skytrain BTS from Mochit Station to the BTS Station Nana. From there, it is a 5-min walk. Take BTS exit 3. When you come down the

stairway, turn left on to Soi 11. The Ambassador Hotel is on your right hand side.

Alternatively, you can also take a taxi to the hotel. Metered taxis can be found outside the arrivals hall, an extra airport fee of 50 THB and toll fees need to be paid by the customer.

5. Logistical information

Registration Registration will occur from 7.30 AM – 9.00 AM at the venue. Due to a large number of participants, we would strongly appreciate if you could come early and consider breakfast after registration. There is no registration fee for APCRR6.

Food During the consultation, lunch and two coffee breaks will be served (vegetarian options are available). If you are staying at The Ambassador Hotel, breakfast is included with the accommodation fee. Vegetarian options will be available. Please let the APRRN Secretariat know in advance if you have any other special dietary requirements.

Table for display of materials A table for display materials/reports will be provided. Please approach the APRRN staff if you need assistance during the registration.

Reimbursements for APRRN funded participants Fully funded participants will be reimbursed for flights, visa and transportation in Bangkok ONLY. Transport to/from Bangkok's airports will be reimbursed at the actual cost and up to a maximum of 800 THB round-trip. APRRN does not reimburse transportation costs in the participant's home country. In addition, funded participants will be provided with a small daily allowance (per diem) for some meals, which will be provided in cash on Day 1.

Advancing The Rights Of Refugees In The Asia Pacific Region

All APRRN funded participants will be reimbursed by bank transfer after the conclusion of APCRR6. Some participants may be reimbursed in cash in exceptional circumstances. For reimbursements please approach P’Nok (APRRN's Admin Officer) or P’Praphai (APRRN’s Finance Manager) on Day 1 at the reimbursement area and bring along all documents listed below: 1. Original ticket purchase invoice with ticket receipt 2. Photocopy of travel itinerary 3. Original boarding passes (arrival and return, return ticket to be scanned and emailed to [email protected]) 4. Other original receipts (e.g. transport and visa) 5. Copy of your passport

IMPORTANT: Unfortunately, we cannot reimburse you if any of these documents is missing. Reimbursement forms need to be submitted on Day 1 otherwise reimbursement in a timely manner cannot be guaranteed.

6. Contact and Emergency Numbers Contact information If there are any problems during your stay please contact the following persons from the APRRN Secretariat:

For general issues, please contact Julia (APRRN Interim Executive Director) at [email protected]

For issues concerning accommodation and other logistics please contact Evan (APRRN Programme Officer) at [email protected]

Emergency numbers Tourist Police: 1155 Emergency services: 191 Phaya Thai 2 Hospital: 026172444

7. Other useful information

A.) Opening hours, Money & Electricity Opening Hours Regular bank hours in Bangkok are from 8:30AM to 3:30PM, Monday to Friday. Several banks have special foreign-exchange offices that are open for longer hours including weekends. Businesses are open from 8:30AM to 5.00pm with some big shopping malls open until 10.00PM. Hours for restaurants and cafes vary greatly.

Advancing The Rights Of Refugees In The Asia Pacific Region

Money Exchange booths and ATMs (accepting international ATM/Visa cards) are located at the airport and in many places around the town such as in shopping malls, supermarkets and

BTS/MTR stations. ATMs usually charge a fee of THB 200 for international cards not associated with the bank.

Electricity Electric current is 220V, 50 cycles in Thailand.

B.) Things to do around Bangkok Baiyoke Tower With 84 stories the Baiyoke Tower is an unmissable towering landmark in Pratunam area. The skywalk with large viewing windows on the 77th floor is the best place to get beautiful bird’s eye views from the skyline floor.

Suan Pakkad Palace has-tended tropical garden with serene ponds surrounding eight traditional Thai houses, each of which brims to overflowing with fine arts, antiques and oddities belonging to Prince and Princess Chumbhot.

Pratunam Market Pratunam Market is a major market selling clothes, shoes, and fashion accessories at wholesale prices. It is located at the intersection of Ratchaprop and Petchburi roads (next to Amari Watergate Hotel).

Bangkok Puppet Show at Aksra Theater The Bangkok Traditional Puppet Show at Aksra Theatre is one of Bangkok’s must-see attractions. Taking place on an elaborate stage, folk tales are told through the classic art of puppetry. Both the puppets and puppeteers dance along with the live orchestra, featuring a combination of Thai and European instruments.

For more tourist attractions, please visit:  www.bangkok.com/bts/phayathai.htm  www.kohspot.com/  www.lonelyplanet.com/thailand/bangkok

C.) Getting around Bangkok by Public Transport

Taxis Taking a taxi in Bangkok is safe and usually hassle-free. You have to pay what is shown on the meter. The starting price for metered taxis is 35 THB. Always tell the taxi driver to turn on the meter. Tolls are additional and must be paid by you.

Advancing The Rights Of Refugees In The Asia Pacific Region

Skytrain (BTS) and Subway (MRT) The skytrain (BTS) and subway (MRT) are the most convenient ways to get around Bangkok and connect to major places. Prices range from 15 to 40 THB depending on where you want to go. BTS ticket machines only accept coins, not notes. You will have to go to the staffed

kiosks at every BTS/MRT stop to pick up change. You can also purchase a one-day card at 150 THB or smart card for 15 trips at 345 THB (23 THB for each journey) at the counters. Trains run from 6 am to midnight.

Combined maps of BTS (skytrain) and MRT (subway)

Please note: BTS (green lines) / MRT (blue line)