Bangkok Information

Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, was founded in 1782 by the first monarch of the present Chakri dynasty. It is now the country's spiritual, cultural, diplomatic, commercial and educational hub. It covers an area of more than 1,500 square kilometres and is home of approximately ten million people - more than 10% of the country's population.

Over the last few decades, Bangkok has changed into a modern, exciting and sophisticated city. It offers visitors not only the cosmopolitan amenities they would expect from other big cities, but also a unique treasure trove of cultural attractions. Thailand, in the heart of Southeast Asia, was never colonised and thus kept its unique culture and heritage intact. Thus, Bangkok offers visitors the opportunity to experience fascinating glimpse of Thailand's gentle culture amidst the bustle of a great and dynamic metropolis. In other word, this great city has astounding success in combining the ancient and modern world.

For tourists, Bangkok has plenty of attractions to offer. The city is dotted with 400 glittering Buddhism temples of great beauty, magnificent palaces, classical dance extravaganzas and traditional ways of life, especially along the timeless Chao Phraya River or "The River of Kings" winding through the city, which will make your stay worthiest experience you ever have. Besides the historical and religious attractions, there are numerous modern shopping centres, business areas, parallel with many parks waiting for all tourists to take a visit and fascinated with a merge of modern and natural world of this capital city.

Bangkok is waiting to welcome all delegates of the 13th Asian Pacific Society of Respirology Congress (APSR 2008) to have the great experience and nice stay cherished in everyone’s mind.

Conference Venue : Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC)

The QSNCC is a purpose-built for the grandest national and international events, particularly conference and exhibition, the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center bears the nation's identity in its architectural form and decorative details. The architectural style of the national convention center is unique and exemplary of "Thai Hi-Tech Architecture". It is also equipped with advanced engineering systems corresponding to the architecture and the expected functionality of the venue.

Apart from facilities and services inside, visitors can find other accessible facilities outside around the Center, especially the five star hotels which offer most pleasant accommodations together with satisfying services. In additions, with the grand Benjakitti park located right next to the Center, visitors can get a relaxation and touch real nature hiding in the great city.

QSNCC is located in the centre of Bangkok and can be easily accessed by public transportation provided such as bus services, BTS sky train and MRT underground whose station is right in front of the Center. There is also excellent access to Bangkok's expanding elevated highway system, which strikes east to Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

With superb facilities and services, the grand excellent venue of Thailand is now ready to welcome all delegates of the 13th Asian Pacific Society of Respirology Congress (APSR 2008) to prove this pride of Thailand and be impressed with this excellent convention venue.
More Information: www.qsncc.com

Climate

Thailand ’s climate is tropical, high both in temperature and humidity and dominated by monsoons. In November, the climate is cooling and less humidity level. This is also a high season of tourist in Thailand.

Time

The standard time zone of Bangkok is GMT+7 hours

Visa for Thailand

Visa on Arrival:
- According to the Interior Ministerial Announcements, passport holders from 20 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 means of living expenses at the amount of 10,000 Baht per person and 20,000 Baht per family accordingly.

- The applicant must present full paid ticket which is usable within 15 days since the date of entry

- Visa on arrival is provided at 32 designated international checkpoints and applicants should submit the application form duly filled out and to which his/her recent photograph (4 x 6 cm) 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. 02 287-3127 or 02 287-3101-10 ext. 2264-5 or at website http://www.immigration.go.th.

The list of 20 countries is as follows:

1. Bhutan
2. China
3. Cyprus
4. Czech Republic
5. Estonia
6. Hungary
7. India
8. Kazakhstan
9. Latvia
10. Liechtenstein
11. Lithuania
12. Maldives
13. Mauritius
14. Sultanate of Oman
15. Poland
16. Russia
17. Saudi Arabia
18. Slovakia
19. Slovenia

Further information can be found on the website of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kingdom of Thailand: www.mfa.go.th.

Visa not needed for the following countries:

1. Australia
2. Austria
3. Belgium
4. Brazil
5. Bahrain
6. Brunei
7. Canada
8. Denmark
9. Finland
10. France
11. Germany
12. Greece
13. Hong Kong
14. Iceland
15. Indonesia
16. Ireland
17. Israel
18. Italy
19. Japan
20. Korea
21. Kuwait
22. Luxembourg
23. Malaysia
24. Netherlands
25. New Zealand
26. Norway
27. Oman
28. Peru
29. Philippines
30. Portugal
31. Qatar
32. Singapore
33. Spain
34. South África
35. Sweden
36. Switzerland
37. Turkey
38. United Arab Emirates
39. United Kingdom
40. USA
41. Vietnam

List of countries which are declared YELLOW FEVER INFECTED AREAS:

- The Ministry of Public Health has issued regulations that applicants who have travelled from or through the countries which have been declared Yellow Fever Infected Areas must provide an International Health Certificate proving that they have received a Yellow Fever vaccination.

- The International Health Certificate must be submitted together with the visa application form. The traveller will also have to present the said certificate to the Immigration Officer upon arrival at the port of entry in the Kingdom. As for those nationals of the countries listed below but 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 prevent unnecessary inconvenience.

1. Angola
2. Benin
3. Bolivia
4. Brazil
5. Burkina Faso
6. Burundi
7. Cameroon
8. Central Africa
9. Chad
10. Colombia
11. Democratic Republic of Congo
12. Congo
13. Ivory Coast
14. Ecuador
15. Equatorial Guinea
16. Ethiopia
17. French-Guiana
18. Gabon
19. Gâmbia
20. Ghana
21. Guinea-Bissau
22. Guinea
23. Guyana
24. Kenya
25. Libéria
26. Mali
27. Mauritânia
28. Niger
29. Nigeria
30. Panamá
31. Peru
32. Rwanda
33. São Tome & Príncipe
34. Senegal
35. Sierra Leone
36. Somalia
37. Sudan
38. Suriname
39. Tanzania
40. Togo
41. Trinidad and Tobago
42. Uganda
43. Venezuela

Further information can be found on the website of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kingdom of Thailand: www.mfa.go.th.