Practitioners’ Workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia and the Pacific

15-17 September 2009
Club Andaman Beach Resort, Phuket, Thailand

“Building safer and more resilient communities”

Organized by IFRC (SEARO) and ADPC With funding support from the European Commission Directorate General for Humanitarian Aid-ECHO

Workshop General Information 

Dear Participants,  

On behalf of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, we would like to provide you with information to facilitate your travel and stay in Phuket for the Practitioners’ Workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia and the Pacific to be conducted from 15-17 September 2009.

THAILAND VISA/ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

International travelers to Thailand should arrange for the entry visas as far in advance as possible at the closest Embassy or Consulate of Thailand in his/her country to cover the whole period of stay in Thailand. Please make sure that an appropriate visa for this purpose will be obtained prior to the departure.

 

Please note that citizens of ASEAN Member countries (i.e. Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar and Lao PDR) can get visa on arrival for one-month period from the Immigration Authorities at the Bangkok Suvanarbhumi International Airport or Phuket International Airport. Some nationalities can also obtain the same privilege. The participants are advised to check this provision in their home country.

WORKSHOP VENUE and ACCOMODATION

The main venue for the workshop will be held at the Club Andaman Beach Resort in Phuket, Thailand. The hotel is 40 kms from the airport and it will take around 45 minutes drive by car depending on the flow of the traffic. Please refer the hotel’s website at http://www.clubandaman.com to see additional information. The location map for coming to the hotel from the airport is also available in this website.

Contact Details – Club Andaman Beach Resort

Location: 2 Hadpatong Road, Patong Beach, Phuket 83150 Thailand
Contact Person: Ms. Pattareeya Jittipinyoying, Sales Manager
Tel: +66 (0) 2693-3245 to 7
Mobile Phone No: + 66 (0) 81-838-5578
Fax No: +66 (0) 2693-3249

Email:  bkkmkt@clubandaman.com or mkt@clubandaman.com (Attention: Ms. Pattareeya or Ms. Urai)

Website: http://www.clubandaman.com

We would assist in reserving the room in order to avail of the special discounted rate of

US$ 41/room/night = THB 1,400 (single and double room) with breakfast.

Upon checking in, please quote the name of the Workshop (as indicated above) and the Workshop Organizer, “IFRC/ADPC”. Please refer to the contact details of the hotel: 

ARRIVAL DAY 

Workshop participants are encouraged to arrive on Monday, 14 September 2009. Please come directly to the lobby of the hotel to register, receive your room key, additional materials, etc.

TRANSPORTATION TO/FROM THE AIRPORT

Overseas participants will be arriving at either Suvanarbhumi International Airport or Phuket International Airport. Transportation has been arranged from Phuket International Airport to the hotel venue. Please look for the sign marked IFRC-ADPC Workshop/Club Andaman Beach Resort at the arrival area. Kindly advise us of your travel details. 

For others who would prefer to travel on their own, we recommend to the participants to hire a taxi/cab from the counter at the arrival terminal of the airport. Drivers will ensure you reach the destination. The hotel is around 45 minutes drive from Phuket International Airport depending on the flow of the traffic. The taxi-fare is approximately Thai Baht 600 (approximately US$18). Please instruct the driver to bring you to CLUB ANDAMAN BEACH RESORT (2 Hadpatong Road, Patong Beach, Phuket)  Please refer to map attached.

WORKSHOP REGISTRATION and IDENTIFICATION

Registration will start from 7:30 am – 8:30 am on Tuesday, 15 September 2009 in front of ANDAMAN Room, Ground Floor of the Hotel. Name badges and workshop kits will be distributed to all participants on this day. All participants are required to have their name badges on at all times.

The Workshop Introduction and Overview will follow after the Opening Ceremony.

WORKSHOP OPENING CEREMONY

The Opening Ceremony of the workshop will start at 8:30 am on Tuesday, 15 September 2009. The ADPC Executive Management, IFRC, ECHO and some invited guests will welcome the workshop participants. A group photo will be taken after the ceremony. If you wish, you can wear your national dress or formal attire (suit) for this purpose. However, this is optional but all participants, facilitators and guests are requested to dress appropriately for this event.

FIELD VISIT

A half day field visit in identified communities in Phang-nga, one of the provinces affected by the tsunami in Phuket, has been arranged in the afternoon of Tuesday, 15 September 2009.  This will follow immediately after lunch. Participants are advised to wear comfortable casual clothing.

WELCOME DINNER

A Welcome Dinner has been arranged for all workshop participants in the evening of 15 September 2009. This will be held at the Hotel Garden of the Club Andaman Beach Resort.

WORKSHOP CLOSING CEREMONY

The Closing Ceremony will take place in the afternoon of Thursday, 17 September 2009. Invited guests will come to grace this event. If you wish, you can wear your national dress or formal attire (suit) for this purpose. However, this is optional but we would like to request all participants, facilitators and guests to dress appropriately for this event.

DEPARTURE DAY

Participants should plan their departures from Phuket as of Thursday night, 17 Sept or Friday, 18 September 2009.

MEALS

Daily lunch and refreshments will be provided. Snacks, drinks and meals taken outside the workshop will be at the participants’ personal expense. Breakfast is already included in your room accommodation.

Please note that the prices of the items in the mini-snack bars in your hotel rooms are very expensive. Therefore, participants are encouraged to purchase small food items at the convenient stores located outside the hotel.

CLIMATE

Thailand is a warm and rather humid tropical country with monsoonal climate. Temperatures are highest in March and April with average temperature of 28 degree Celsius to 38 degrees Celsius and humidity averaging between 82.8% to 73%.

Seasons: Dry: March to May, Rainy: June to October, Cool: November to February.

COMPUTERS/INTERNET/FAX

The hotel has a business center where the participants can call or send documents by fax with fees. It is also equipped with wireless internet facilities Please check on rates with the front desk staff. Nearby internet facilities are available at a very reasonable price.

INSURANCE and PERSONAL MEDICATIONS

Workshop participants are responsible for their own insurance coverage during the workshop (e.g. medical/health, emergency/accident, travel, life insurance). Please make sure you have a clear understanding of your own insurance policies prior to departing from your home country. Please also bring your own personal medications.

WORKSHOP ORGANIZERS CONTACT INFORMATION  

 WORKSHOP VENUE (CLUB ANDAMAN BEACH RESORT)