Travel

Please be noted that 28 July is the King’s birthday and a public holiday in Thailand. Government offices and banks will be closed on the day. Bank branches inside shopping mall usually open during holiday, but some financial services may be limited.

APrIGF 2017 Bangkok map: bit.ly/aprigf2017map

Venue

Main conference venue is Mahitaladhibesra Building (อาคารมหิตลาธิเบศร), which is located inside Chulalongkorn University (จุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย) campus in central Bangkok. The nearest metro station is Sam Yan (สามย่าน) MRT station.

For travel information from airport, scroll down to “From Airport to the City” section.
For more details about the venue, vicinity transportation, and nearby attractions, see the Venue page.

Visa

  • Tourist Visa: As advised by Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, conference participants including panelists and exhibitors, shall apply for a tourist visa.
  • Exemption/On Arrival: Some countries and territories are entitled for Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival. Please check this list.
  • Documents required:
    • Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months
    • Visa application form completely filled out
    • Recent 4 x 6 cm photograph of the applicant
    • Evidence of travel from Thailand (air ticket paid in full)
    • Evidence of adequate finance (THB 20,000 per person and THB 40,000 per family)
      • Note: for Fellowship recipient, a sponsor letter will be provided to stated that the conference will support the funding throughout the program
    • In general, as it is a tourist visa, an official invitation letter is NOT required. However, if a participant feels that the letter will make the application stronger, especially from a country/territory that occasionally under a stricter screening process, the invitation letter can be requested from the APrIGF Local Host, using this form. We like to make sure that everyone will be able to participate in person at the conference.
      • Get your invitation letter using this request form.
      • Further inquiry about invitation letter can be made at visa@aprigf.asia
    • Consular officers reserve the rights to request additional documents as deemed necessary
  • If required to be filled in a form, a local contact address is
    “APrIGF 2017 Bangkok Team”
    Chula International Communication Center
    Chulalongkorn University
    254 Chamchuri 1 Building, Phaya Thai Road
    Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330 Thailand
    Tel: 0-2218-3280~3
    Fax: 0-2218-3281
    aprigf2017@gmail.com
  • Please check Ministry of Foreign Affairs page for more information

Electricity

Thailand uses 220V AC electricity. The most commonly found power outlet looks like this:

thai-socket

Chamchuri Square and MBK are shopping malls nearby that you can rely on electric and electronic equipments, including mobile phone and computer products, and repair services.

From Airport to the City

Bangkok has two international airports: Suvanabhumi Airport (BKK) (sometimes known as Bangkok International Airport) and Don Muang Airport (DMK).

The easiest way to get into the city is to find way to BTS (skytrain) and MRT (subway) and start from some of their stations. Maps can be obtained from the ticket office.

Suvanabhumi Airport

  • Going to Bangkok city from Suvanabhumi Airport is very convenient by Airport Rail Link (ARL). ARL is connected to BTS and MRT stations.
  • To go to Chulalongkorn University campus, take the ARL to Makkasan ARL station, then take MRT from nearby Phetchaburi MRT station to Sam Yan MRT station, which is next to the university campus.

Don Muang Airport

  • There are shuttle services (THB 30, single ride) from the airport to Chatuchak Park MRT station (which is also next to Mo Chit BTS station). From there, you can go anywhere in the city center.
  • To go to Chulalongkorn University campus, take the MRT to Sam Yan MRT station, which is next to the university campus.

Getting around in the City

  • Metro: Bangkok is served by three different metro systems, BTS (skytrain), MRT (subway), and ARL (airport link). Each system has its own ticket. In terms of accessibility, every MRT and ARL stations have elevators. For BTS, only few stations have the elevator, and it should only be operated by the station officer.
  • Bus: Bus network, runs by Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA), is quite extensive and covered large part of Bangkok Metropolitan area. Although the time schedule is not that very reliable. Fare starts from THB 8 fixed-rate for bus without air conditioner, and THB 12 for air-conditioned ones.
  • Taxi: Bangkok taxi goes by meter. First kilometer is THB 30. Next kilometer is on average THB 6.
  • Ride-hailing: Uber and Grab are available in Bangkok area. Credit card and debit card payments are possible. Noted that, in Thailand, Uber and GrabCar are still considered not meet with different regulations concerning public transportation.
  • Motorcycle taxi: Motorcycle taxi is one of the city’s famous experience, sometimes can be too much of experience. Pickup points can be found at street corners. Fare vary but, by law, every pickup point should have a poster displaying fares for nearby destinations. Should agreed with the price before get on the ride. — Don’t forget the helmet and advise your travel insurance terms and conditions.

City Guide