Fifth Meeting of the States Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction

15-19 September 2003, Bangkok, Thailand

Important Information on Logistics and Administrative Arrangements

edit on June 20,2003

Introduction:
The purpose of this document is to provide participants of the Fifth Meeting of the States Parties (5MSP) with information on logistical and administrative matters pertaining to this important event. It provides basic information necessary for States Parties and observers to start making arrangements for their attendance.

Date and Venue:
The 5MSP will take place from September 15 to 19, 2003 and will be held at the United Nations Conference Centre (“ESCAP Building”), located on Rajadamnern Nok Avenue in Bangkok. The meeting will commence with an opening ceremony at 11:00 a.m. on Monday 15 September, with the formal portion of the meeting beginning at 14:00 that day.

Host and Chair:
The Government of Thailand will host the 5MSP. H.E. Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand will serve as the President of the meeting. Major General Gitti Suksomstarn, Director-General of Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC) and Ms. Atchara Suyanan, Director-General of the Department of International Organizations will serve as
Co-Secretaries General.

Organization of the 5MSP:
While a formal organization structure is being adopted, Lieutenant Colonel Prapakorn Suksomstarn has been designated as the focal point for logistical matters regarding the meeting. Lieutenant Colonel Prapakorn Suksomstarn, who will oversee the logistics coordination office, can be reached at:

183 Songprapa Road
Sigan, Donmuang, Bangkok 10210
Thailand
Tel: 66-2 929-2020 or 66-7 013-8326
Fax: 66-2 905-1640
Email: gittisuk@hotmail.com

Registration:
States Parties present at a Meeting of the States Parties are considered “participants”. Other States, as well as relevant international organizations or institutions and regional organizations may attend and participate as “observers”.

States Parties and other States
Each State participating in the 5MSP is to designate a head of delegation and such other representatives, alternate representatives and advisers as may be required. The names of these individuals should be submitted to the Executive Secretary on behalf of the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs at the following address. In addition, a registration form must be completed for each delegate.

Mr. Enrique Roman-Morey,
Executive Secretary of the Fifth Meeting of the States Parties
Department for Disarmament Affairs (Geneva Branch)
Palais des Nations
Avenue de la Paix 8-14
1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland Fax: 41-22-917-0034

International and regional organizations
Each relevant organization participating in the Fifth Meeting, including UNHCR, UNDP, UNICEF, WHO, WFP, regional organizations, the ICRC, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the Sovereign Order of Malta, the ICBL, and the GICHD must designate a head of delegation and such other representatives, alternate representatives and advisers as may be required. The names of these individuals should be submitted to the Executive Secretary on behalf of the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs. In addition, a registration form must be completed for each delegate.

ICBL and its member organizations
Member organizations of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) wishing to take part in the Fifth Meeting of the States Parties should contact the Coordinator of the ICBL who will collect necessary information from prospective ICBL delegates and forward it to the Executive Secretary of the Fourth Meeting of the States Parties. The Coordinator of the ICBL can be reached at the following address:

Ms. Elizabeth Bernstein
Coordinator
International Campaign to Ban Landmines
110 Maryland Ave NE
Box 6, Suite 509
Washington, DC 20002
USA Fax: 1-202-547-2687
email: banemnow@icbl.org

Other interested organizations
According to the draft rules of procedure for the Fifth Meeting of the States Parties, organizations other than those explicitly listed in the draft rules may attend the Meeting of the States Parties as observers upon receipt of an invitation to do so provided by the Coordinating Committee of Co-Chairs and subject to approval of the Meeting of States Parties. Interested organizations can request an invitation by writing to the Executive Secretary of the Fifth Meeting of the States Parties, who will forward requests to the Coordinating Committee.

Speakers List:
In late August 2003, an announcement will be made in the daily Journal of the United Nations regarding the opening of the speakers list for the general exchange of views. Delegations are kindly requested to ensure that their statements are no longer than eight minutes to ensure that all delegations have an opportunity to speak.

Travel to Bangkok:
Bangkok can be reached easily from most parts of the world. The Government of Thailand has already notified air carriers of a possible increase in demand for seats around the time of the 5MSP.

Visas:
Delegates are reminded that in some cases a visa to enter Thailand will be required. Thai missions abroad are instructed to extend appropriate courtesy and assistance to participants seeking visas to attend the Meeting.

Delegates holding passports from the following countries are permitted to enter Thailand for
a period of 30 days without visas :
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
Bahrain
Brunei Darussalam
Canada
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Great Britain
Greece
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Republic of Korea
Kuwait
Luxembourg
Malaysia
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Peru
Philippines
Portugal
Qatar
Singapore
Spain
South Africa
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
United Arabs Emirates
United States of America
Vietnam

Delegates holding passports from the following countries may apply for visas on arrival
at the immigration checkpoints for a maximum stay of 15 days :
Bhutan
China
Cyprus
Czech
Hungary
India
Kazakhstan
Maldives
Mauritius
Oman
Poland
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Ukraine

All delegates must complete immigration formalities on arrival at Bangkok International Airport.

Further information on visa requirements is also available at http://www.mfa.go.th

Arrivals and Transportation:
Further information on services available to delegates upon arrival in Bangkok will be provided in a due course.

Accommodation:
Participants are responsible for booking their own accommodations. However, the Government of Thailand have made arrangements with several hotels to block space for participants. Delegations are strongly encouraged to make reservations before 3 August 2003 to obtain preferential rates. When making reservations, individuals should indicate that they are participants in the Fifth Meeting of the States Parties. The following hotels have negotiated special rates with the Government of Thailand and are now accepting reservations.

Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok (US$ 130)
89 Soi Wat Suan Plu, New Road,
Bangkok 10500
Tel: 66-2-236-7777
Fax: 66-2-236-8579
www.bangkok-hotels.net/shangrila

Montian Riverside Hotell (US$ 70)
372 Rama 3 Road, Bangkhlo
Bangkok 10120
Tel: 66-2-292-2999 or 292-2888
Fax: 66-2-292-2962
Email: riverside@montien.com
www.montien.com

Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel (US $125)
Captain Bush Land, New Road, Siphya
Bangkok 10500
Tel: 66-2-266-3535
www.sheraton.com/royalorchid

Sofitel Silom Hotel (US $76)
188 Silom Road, Bangrak, Bangrak
Bangkok, 10500 Thailand
Tel : (+66)02 238 1991
Fax : (+66)02 238 1999
E-mail : H3616@accor-hotels.com
www.accorhotels-asia.com/hotelsearch/default.asp?hc=3616

Royal Princess Hotel (US$ 44)
269 Larn Luang Road, Pomprab
Bangkok 10100
Tel: 66-2-281-3088
Fax: 66-2-280-1314
http://bangkok-larnluang.royalprincess.com

Siam City Hotel (US$ 50)
477 Sri Ayuthaya Road
Bangkok 10400
Tel: 66-2-247-1023
Fax: 66-2-247-0165
www.siamhotels.com/sct.html

Trang Hotel Bangkok (US$ 25)
91/1 Wisutkasart Road
10200 Bangkok
Tel: 66-2-281-1402
Fax: 66-2-280-3610
www.trang-hotel.co.th

Health concerns:
Thailand has been alert to the problem of SARS since its emergence. As a result of intensive implementation of SARS prevention and control, including pre-arrival and pre-departure screening for SARS symptoms on all inbound and outbound flights, Thailand has been able to maintain the status of a country without local transmission, therefore, is a safe place for travels and visits.

Further information about the 5MSP:

Lt.Col. Prapakorn Suksomstarn
Logistics Coordination
Tel: 66-2 929-2020 or 66-7 013-8326
Fax: 66-2-905-1640
Email: gittisuk@hotmail.com

Department of International Organizations
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand
Tel: 66-2 643-5074-5
Fax : 66-2 643-5071 or 66-2 643-5073
Email : div0803@mfa.go.th

Permanent Mission ohtf Thailand to the United Nations and Other International Organizations, Geneva
Tel: 41-22-715-1010
Fax: 41-22-715-1000
Email : mission.thailand@ties.itu.int

Richard Lennane
C/O 5MSP Executive Secretary
Tel: 41-22-917-2298
Fax: 41-22- 917 0034
Email: rlennane@unog.ch

Kerry Brinkert
Implementation Support Unit
Tel: 41-22-906-1637
Fax: 41-22-906-1690
Email: k.brinkert@gichd.ch