Presentation on

the Preparation for Hosting the Fifth Meeting of the States Parties to the Ottawa Convention

By

Maj. Gen. Gitti Suksomstarn,

Director-General, Thailand Mine Action Center

7 February 2003

Geneva, Switzerland

----------------------------------------------------------

Thank you, Mr. Co-chairs,

It is indeed a great honour for Thailand to be the host of the Fifth Meeting of the

States Parties to the Ottawa Convention to be held in Bangkok, Thailand during 15-19 September this year, the first ever States Parties meeting under the Mine Ban Convention in Asia.

It is also a great pleasure and honour for me to inform the Committee of the progress made so far for the logistical preparation for hosting the Fifth Meeting.

Allow me, first of all, to inform you that the Thailand's National Mine Action Committee held its first meeting on 18 December last year, chaired by General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, Deputy Prime Minister. During the meeting, matters pertaining to the preparation of the Fifth Meeting of the States Parties was discussed, including the establishment of the National Preparatory Committee for the 5MSP.

My presentation today will include the information on the venue of the meeting, accommodation, transportation, immigration arrangement, a field trip to observe mine action activities in Baan Nong Ya Keaw in eastern Thailand, host country events and hospitality.

First, Venue of the Meeting

In late November 2002, a mission from the United Nations went to Thailand to inspect, together with representatives of the Thai government and our civil society partners, possible venue of the Meeting. It was agreed that the Meeting should take place at the United Nations Conference Center in Bangkok, in the same complex as the Office of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific or UN-ESCAP, as appears in the slides.

The main conference hall can accommodate more than 700 participants.

Apart from that, the small meeting rooms are

also available for side meetings.

Next slide shows the interpretation rooms

which are all fully equipped.

Second, Accommodation

Rooms have been reserved en bloc in 5 hotels ranging from 5 star to 3 star as follows:

· At Siam City Hotel, 15 - minute drive from the venue of the meeting, 80 rooms have been reserved at US $ 69 per night;

· At Montien Riverside Hotel, a five star hotel, about 30-minute drive on the expressway from the venue of the meeting, 150 rooms have been reserved at US $ 50 per night;

· At Prince Palace Hotel, about 15-minute walk to the venue of the meeting, 50 rooms have been reserved at US $50 per night;

· At Royal Princess Hotel, about 10-minute walk away from the venue of the meeting, 120 rooms have been reserved at US$ 42 per night ;

· At Trang Hotel, about 15- minute walk away from the venue of the meeting, 80 rooms have been reserved at US $25 per night;

· At Thai Hotel, about 15 minute walk away from the venue of the meeting, 60 rooms have been reserved at US $ 24 per night.

Third, Transportation

TMAC personnel and vehicles will be on stand-by to provide transportation for participants between Bangkok International Airport and the hotels on the arrival and departure upon request.

During the meeting, all hotels will provide transportation between the hotels and the venue of the meeting.

Fourth, Immigration Arrangement

Special immigration arrangement will be provided for participants. Further details will be available in the next Intersessional meeting in May.

Fifth, the field trip to Baan Nong Ya Kaew

The field trip to mine affected area in Baan Nong Ya Kaew in Sa Keaw Province, eastern Thailand will be organized on Sunday, 14 September 2003, 1 day prior to the meeting to observe mine action operations in mine affected area. The Humanitarian Mine Action Unit I is currently conducting mine clearance operations, mine victim assistance and mine risk education programme. All participants are invited to join the trip. The transportation including military aircraft will be provided. As we can accommodate only 200 participants, we kindly request interested participants to inform us in advance by filling and submitting the registration form 1 month prior to the meeting. The on-line registration through the website will also soon be available at www.tmac.go.th.

Six, Other Host Country Events and Hospitality

May I also take this opportunity to inform the Committee that Her Royal Highness Princess Galayaniwattana, the sister of His Majesty the King and the royal patron of TMAC will be invited to preside over the opening ceremony on Monday 15 September 2003 and the Thai Prime Minister will be invited to deliver his opening remarks.

On 15 September 2003, the Royal Thai Government will host the welcoming reception at the Royal Thai Army Convention Hall or at the Montien Riverside Hotel.

On 17 September 2003, GICHD will host a reception. So far the Royal Thai Government has reserved a reception room at the Army Headquarters next to the ESCAP Building.

On 18 Septerber 2003, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand will host reception at the Ministry.

In addition, security will be provided for all participants at the airport, venue of the meeting and at the hotels.

For delegates’ spouses and those who are interested in the sightseeing programmes in Bangkok, tours can also be arranged.

For further details, you can visit www.tmac.go.th which will be regularly updated. For those of you who are particularly interested in the venue of the meeting, you can click on Come to ESCAP, for accommodation, you can click on accommodation for the list of the hotel already reserved. Administrative information will also be available at the May meeting.

Thank you