PROGRESS MADE IN PREPARATION FOR

                             THE FIFTH MEETING OF STATES PARTIES

 

            It is a great pleasure and honor for me to report the progress of Thailand who will host the 5 ^th Meeting of States Parties that will be held at the United Nation building in Bangkok, Thailand from    15 – 19 September 2003 the first ever States Parties meeting under the Mine Ban Convention to be held in Asia.

            We update Website www.tmac.go.th regularly, please click and then come to ESCAP if you would like to find the direction from the airport to the United Nation conference center.

            Room has been reserved en bloc in 8 hotels ranging from 5 star to 3 star, please click Accommodation on www.tmac.go.th. The names of the hotels are

HOTEL                       RATE (USD) Rooms, have been  reserved   Bus  or van

Shangri –la Hotel        130                  30                                                none

            Royal Orchid Sheraton 125                 40(minimum)                               Bus

            Montien  Riverside        95                  40                                                Van

            Siam  City Hotel            69                  60                                                Van

            *Royal Princess             50                  100                                              Van

            *Prince Palace               35                  50                                                Van

            *Trang  Hotel                25                  120                                              Van

            *Thai  Hotel                  25                  60                                                Van

            The last 4 hotels are walking Distance  to the UNCC.

            For delegate’s spouses and those who are interested in the sightseeing or shopping,  escort officers and vehicles will be on  stand by. Please contact Coordinator for transportation support.

            We will provide transportation for participants  between Bangkok  International Airport and the hotels on the arrival and departure ( For the Ministers or delegates of the Ambassadors level, we will provide the escort  officers and vehicles). During the meeting, all hotels will provide transportation between the hotels and the  venue of meeting  or TMAC  will  provide vehicles,    Please request  support as a group.

            The field trip to the mine affected area at Ban Nong Ya Kaeo in Sa Kaeo province,  eastern Thailand  will be organized on Sunday, 14 September 2003, one day prior to the meeting to observe mine action operation in mine affected area and mine dog training. Participants are invited to join the trip. The transportation including military  aircrafts will be provided. As we can accommodate only 200 participants, we kindly request interested participants to inform us by the registration through the website of the UNDDA for more information concerning Logistics and Administrative, please click Administrative www.tmac.go.th .

 

            An ambulance either doctor or nurse from the Supreme Command Headquarters will be stand by during the meeting at UN building at all times and a vehicle for UNDDA will also be available when they arrive Bangkok.   It is also great pleasure to inform you that , Her Royal Highness Princess Galayaniwattana, the sister of His Majesty the King and the Royal patron of Thailand Mine Action Center  will graciously  precise  over the opening ceremony on Monday 15 September 2003 at 1100  and Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium will be invited  to deliver her remarks  and the Prime Minister will be invited  to deliver the remarks.

            In addition, His Excellency Mr.Pierre  Vaesen,  the Belgium Ambassador to Thailand plan to set up a Gala Dinner  to raise fund for Mine Victims  during Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid’s visit to Thailand.

            On 15 September 2003, The Royal Thai Government will host the welcoming reception at  The Royal Thai Police Officers Club. Buses will be available.( It  will  take about 30 minutes from UNCC)

            On 17 September 2003, The Geneva International Center Humanitarian Demining will host a reception in that evening, the place will be determined later.

            On 18 September 2003, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand will host a reception at the Ministry. For further information of  Tentative Agenda please click Meeting Content on  www.tmac.go.th  

            Security will also be provided for all participants at the airport,  venue of the meeting and at the hotels.       

            The documents about the important  information of the 5 ^th Meeting of States Parties are available on the table outside the room.

            The sky trains are available to take participants around Bangkok for shopping or sightseeing.  Thailand  will  follow up the commitment  of the Ottawa Convention  and will play a  leading role on training and  operation in South  East Asia.

            In conclusion, please allow me to inform you that  Thailand still needs technical assistance  to further  develop our humanitarian and  meet the landmine challenge facing Thailand . We also need assistance to enhance  regional  cooperation , information sharing and technical assistance amongst our neighbor creating  stability and security.

            Thailand Mine Action Center is  very  grateful   for the international  assistance provided  and hope for continued supporting  our demining program.

                                                           

Thank you very much   

                                                        Director General of TMAC

                                                                   16 May 2003