Thailand Visa information
As explained here http://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand/changes-visa-exempt.php there is a long list of nationalities for which no visa is required for short stays in Thailand. If your nationality is not among them, it will likely be necessary to contact your Thai consulate. SUT will provide a letter of invitation, or other documentation required.
Venue
The School will take place at:
- Chulalongkorn University (CU), Bangkok
- Lilawalai Resort, Khao Yai (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Nakhon Ratchasima
Nakhon Ratchasima https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakhon_Ratchasima, more commonly known as Korat, is about 260 km northeast of Bangkok. Korat is sometimes called the 'gateway' to Isaan, which is the northeastern region of the country.
Getting Around in Bangkok
Participants will arrive by plane at either Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) or Don Mueang Airport (DMK) in Bangkok. The organizers will arrange two guest houses for lecturers and participants. You can take a taxi to the guest house, and it is more convenient to use the taxi service from the airport or a taxi booking app like Bolt or Grab.
When travelling by taxi, the driver will likely speak little English. It may be helpful to prepare yourself with your own map / Thai-written destination to communicate.
Bangkok International Airports
There are two international airports serving Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang International Airport (DMK). Most of the international flight from Europe and United States land at the BKK. Low-cost airlines within Asia land at DMK.
For those who arrive at Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK), you can catch the Airport Rail Link (ARL) to the city centre.
• If your hotel is in the Sam Yan, Surawong, or Silom area:
- take the Airport Rail Link (red line) to the "Makkasan" station
- then take the Metropolitan Rapid Transit (MRT) (blue line) MRT to "Sam Yan" MRT station.
• If you stay at the Siam area:
- you can take the Airport Rail Link (red line) to "Phayathai", The ride is approximately 30 minutes.
- then take Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) (light-green line) line, to "Siam" BTS Station, or "National Stadium" BTS Station.
For both travel options, an approximate total cost is 100 THB. For MRT, you can use VISA or Mastercard (with a sign of contactless) at the gate. For ARL and BTS, you will need to exchange the token.
For those who arrive at Don Muaeng International Airport (DMK),
• you can take the SRT Dark Red Line to Bang Sue (Krung Thep Aphiwat), then MRT (blue-line).
• or you can take the Airport Bus, A1, runs every 15 minutes to Chatuchak Park. then BTS (light-green line).
If you decide to take a taxi from either the airport, please follow the guidelines:
• Do not accept any taxi offers inside the terminal building.
• Walk to the taxi area and take a numbered ticket at the ticket office. Make sure you're never separated from the crowd of the locals.
• Wait for your number to be called. The car should be an impeccably new and clean Toyota painted in bright colors with a TAXI-METER sign on top. Let the driver check your ticket.
• Make sure your driver turns on the meter immediately. If he refuses to do so, leave the car.
• You have to pay the meter price, plus a small airport fee (for which you get a receipt), plus the toll, if the car takes the tollway to the city (recommended).
Accommodation in Bangkok: Click
Listed below are two on-campus accommodations available at Chulalongkorn University: (Check-in after 14:00)
- CU-i-House, (Google map) A security deposit of 1,000 THB in CASH is required for the keycard
- SASA International House, (Google map)
They are located at the north end of campus (close to MBK department store – this is a useful landmark)
Address in Thai:
To avoid unnecessary complications, it is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to have all essential addresses written in Thai script. Below are a few addresses important in relation to the school (you can just show it to the Taxi driver or anyone in the street):
Getting to Conference Venue (CU):
Chulalongkorn University is conveniently located in the heart of Bangkok and getting to the university and hotel is easy from anywhere in the city. The MRT station "Sam Yan" and BTS station "Siam" are the closest metro stations. The conference venue will be at the Maha Vajirunhis Building (google map).
Walking to conference venue is easy
From accommodation:
• CU-i-House (18-20 min), Map (Google map)
• SASA International House (15-20 min), Map (Google map)
From BTS/MRT station
• SIAM BTS station (22-25 min), Map (Google map)
• SAMYAN station (10 min), Map (Google map)
University Shuttle Bus (aka CU POP Bus): See details
• All lines will stop at Sala Phra Kiao, which is 3 min walk to the conference venue
• Free of charge
Transportation to Khao Yai, Nakhon Ratchasima
The transportation from Bangkok to Khao Yai on Nov 12th and from Khao Yai to Bangkok Airport (either BKK or DMK) on Nov 16th will be provided by organizers.
Accommodation in Nakhon Ratchasima: Click
We will hold rooms available for all speakers and participants at Lilawalai Resort. Lecturers and speakers may need to share a room, with most rooms equipped with a king-size bed. Students may be accommodated with up to three people in a room, which will include a king-size bed and an extra mattress. Note that, the resort is located in a remote area from the city. (Google map)
Excursions
All participants are invited to join a half-day excursion (free) that will bring them to nearby Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) Learning Center. (Google map)
