We welcome all delegates and invited guests to the 31th Annual Executive Council Meeting and AGM of FAPAA. The meetings will be held in the The Montien Hotel Thailand between Aril 24-26 2018 and we are suggesting that guests stay in the The Montien Hotel as the most convenient accommodation to the meeting venue.
MEETING VENUE AND HOTEL ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION
Montien Hotel, The City
54 Surawongse Road, Bangkok 10500, Thailand
Phone: (662) 233-7060-9, 234-8060-79 Fax: (662) 236-5218-9
Accommodation : salebkk@montine.com
Function: fbbkk@montine.com
Website: http://www.montien.com/bangkok/
Contact Person: Khun Jirawan Pengrat, Sales Coordinator/Tel : 02-233 7060 Ext : 5216
Office Hours: 09:00-18:00 hrs.on Monday-Friday / : 09:00-13:00 hrs. on Saturday
Apart from this above details, please contact the Duty Manager (Front Office) at any time
Map
BTS Sky Train Station.
Only 5 minutes walk from the Montien Hotel to “Sala Daeng” Station on Silom Road
MRT Underground Train Station.
Just a few minutes walk from the Montien Hotel to “Sam Yan” Station on Rama IV Road
Sightseeing Information:
- Please contact: “World Travel Service Desk” which is located on the ground floor (nearby our reception counter) who will give all the details of the trips.
- Phone: 662 233 7060 ext. 5347
Hotel Help Desk:
The Hotel will provide a Guest Relations Officer to give all the necessary information to guests in the hotel.
Transportation
Please find the following transport information for travel between Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Montien Hotel, The City, Bangkok.
- By Airport Taxi: Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Montien Hotel approx: Bath 1,200
- By Limousine: Phone: 662 233 7060 ext. 5339
- CAR
Airport to Hotel : Baht 1,400.-net per car per one way
Airport to Hotel to Airport : Baht 2,800.-net per car per round trip - VAN
Airport to Hotel : Baht 1,900.-net per van per one way
Airport to Hotel to Airport : Baht 3,800.-net per van per round trip
Temperature
March through to June – Hot Season: high temperatures/humidity, Temperature between 30-35 C
Currency
All other Currencies should be exchanged at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, or before arrival at the hotel.
TAFA CONTACT INFORMATION FOR FAPAA 36TH ECM 2009
- Mr.Phongsagorn Wattanarungsrikajorn; TAFA Vice Chairman: Main Contact for FAPAA 36th ECM 2009
E-mail : kuni@scanwell.com and tafa@tafathai.org (please send in both e-mail) - Mr.Kasem Jaliyawatwong; TAFA Chairman :
E-mail: kasem@harperfreight.com and tafa@tafathai.org - Ms.Ucharawadee Changping; TAFA Manager :
E-mail: tafa@tafathai.org and ucharawadee@yahoo.com
GOLF DAY
Golf Course: Krungthepkreetha Golf Course
http://www.krungthepkreetha.co.th/hole01.htm
Time: 9.00 hrs :Travel Coach leaves Hotel
9.45 hrs : Arrive at the Krungthepkreetha Golf Course
10.00 hrs : Tee off
16.30 hrs : Travel Coach leaves the Golf Course back to Montien Hotel, The City
18.00 hrs : Arrive at Hotel to join Cocktail Reception
Golf Fee: USD 80 net per golfer included with Green Fee, Caddy and Travel Coach (round trip) For the Golf fee, please pay by cash directly to TAFA either in 80 USD or equivalent in THB (inclusive VAT 7%) at the golf day (4th June 09) and send your detals and formal address in advance for the issuing of a receipt.
If you wish to attend please advise tafa@tafathai.org and cc fapaa@afif.asn.au
Download the pdf form and fax it to AFIF.
TOUR
B1: Royal Grand Palace Tour
Seat-in-coach tour: every morning and afternoon except national holidays.
Visit the Royal Grand Palace, then walk through the dazzling Wat Phra Kaew with its revered Emerald Buddha, the Golden Chedi, Pantheon of the Chakri Kings, a scale model of Angkor Wat and the eight-coloured towers.
Certain buildings in the palace grounds are closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Wat Phra Kaew is Thailand’s most sacred temple. Visitors wearing shorts, sandals without heel strap, teeshirts, sleeveless shirts, divided skirts, Bermuda shorts or tights will be denied entry.
Price: Baht 1,130 per person
B2: City & Temple Tour
Seat-in-coach tour: every morning and afternoon.
Visit Wat Trimit with its golden Buddha image. Then travel through Chinatown to the flower market at Pak Klong Talad. Visit Wat Po, the temple of the Reclining Buddha. Drive past the Royal Grand Palace along Ratchadamnern Avenue, passing the Democracy Monument, various ministries and government offices, the Royal Plaza and the Marble Throne Hall. Then visit the Marble Temple and its galleries where the most beautiful Buddha images in various aspects are kept.
Price: Baht 980 per person
B4: Canal Tour
Seat-in-coach tour: every morning.
Take an early morning motor launch trip along the bustling Chao Phya River and quiet klongs (canals), whilst observing picturesque scenes of Thai riverine life. Also visit Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn.
Price: Baht 1,130 per person
B5: Jim Thompson’s Thai House and Suan Pakkard Palace
Seat-in-coach tour: every morning and afternoon.
Visit the former residence of Jim Thompson, the late “Thai silk king.” Consisting of seven traditional Thai houses skilfully combined into one, this architectural gem houses an outstanding collection of Thai and Asian objets d’art.Then visit the unique 17th century Lacquer Pavilion at Suan Pakkard Palace, decorated with gold leaf and magnificent wood carvings. See old Thai architecture and a collection of rare antiques representing every branch of Thai art.
Price: Baht 930 per person
B6: Rose Garden Tour
Seat-in-coach tour: every afternoon.
Observe Thai culture in action during a skillfully presented performance of great beauty and variety. Witness a colourful Buddhist ordination procession, a fingernail dance, Thai boxing, a simple but attractive hilltribe dance, Thai sword-fighting, elephants at work, a folk dance and a traditional Thai wedding ceremony.
Price: Baht 1,100 per person
B8: Ancient City
Seat-in-coach tour: every morning and afternoon.
The Ancient City is the world’s largest living outdoor museum, where Thailand’s past is re-created in its full splendour. A tour of only a few hours through the 200-acre park will reveal the most outstandingreplicas of Thai architecture, history and way of life.
Price: Baht 1,450 per person
B9: River Kwai & Floating Market
Seat-in-coach tour: every day. Lunch included.
Travel by air-conditioned motorcoach and then by boat to the famous floating market at Damnernsaduak. Also visit the infamous Bridge over the River Kwai, a war museum and the cemetery of Allied soldiers, who perished during the construction of the notorious Death Railway during the Second World War.
Price: Baht 1,660 per person
Note: A stop will also be made at a Thai handicraft factory for tours B9, B10 and B25, after visiting the floating market.
B10: Floating Market & Rose Garden
Seat-in-coach tour: every day. Lunch included.
Visit includes the bustling floating market at Damnernsaduak with a stop at Nakhon Pathom where the largest Buddhist stupa in Thailand is located. Proceed to lunch at the picturesque Rose Garden. Afterwards enjoy the colourful Thai Village Show—Buddhist ordination procession, sword-fighting, elephants at work, a folk dance and a traditional wedding ceremony.
Price: Baht 1,740 per person
B11: River Cruise to Ayutthaya
Every day. Lunch included.
Travel by air-conditioned motorcoach to the picturesque ruins of the ancient city of Ayutthaya, then visit the beautiful Bang Pa-In Summer Palace. Return to Bangkok in an air-conditioned cruiser along the Chaophraya River with buffet lunch aboard.
Seat-in-coach tour : Baht 1,800 per person
Private tour for party of 10 persons : Baht 3,730 per person
B13: Dinner and Show at Siam Niramit
Seat-in-coach tour: every evening.
This is a must for any person, young or old, who wishes to glimpse Siam’s glorious past. Presented with unforgettable artistry, dedication and professionalism, this spectacular 80-minute show is brought to life by a cast of over 150 talented artists with a wardrobe of over 500 different costumes. Enjoy dinner before the show.
Price: Baht 1,400 per person
B14: Vimanmek and Abhisek Dusit Museum
Seat-in-coach tour: every morning and afternoon.
Visit Vimanmek, the magnificent golden teakwood residence of King Chulalongkorn. Exhibits include photographs taken during the king’s reign (1868–1910), antique furnitures, glassware, porcelain, and many other historical items. Then visit the Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall, which has been converted into a museum of Thai handicrafts made under the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen of Thailand.
Price: Baht 850 per person
B25: Floating Market & Nakhon Pathom
Seat-in-coach tour: every morning (min. 2 persons)
Depart early morning for a visit of the bustling floating market at Damnernsaduak with a stop at a sugar palm cottage industry, and taste the rice sweetness of their natural products. Return to Bangkok around 13.30 hrs.
Price: Baht 1,220 per person
B28: Secrets of the Thai Countryside
Seat-in-coach tour: every day (min. 4 persons). Lunch included.
A new and unusual full-day tour, exploring some rarely visited rural areas and interesting home industries, providing a vignette of ‘unseen’ Thai life, away from mainstream tourist attractions. Admire a teakwood pavilion with its rich gold leaf decorations; taste the sweetness of a palm-sugar factory’s natural produce, and marvel at the miles of fertile orchards that supply fresh market produce year-round. Visit a Bencharong (five-colour ceramics) factory, then cruise slowly down a tranquil waterway on a converted rice barge, absorbing the changing images of riverside life whilst enjoying a delicious lunch aboard. Later, visit a shrine hall whose walls and ceiling are decorated with gigantic woodcarvings; see a beautiful Catholic church on the river, and watch pious local people making merit by feeding hundreds of fish living in the canal. This is a quite different ‘off the beaten track’ excursion, which lovers nature and Thai culture will enjoy immensely.
Price: Baht 2,580 per person
Remark: If there are participants more than 10 people of each tour, we shall arrange private tour for them except B11: River Cruise to Ayutthaya and B13: Dinner and Show at Siam Niramit.
For further tour information about Bangkok Trip, Photos of each trip you can visit world travel services website |
For reservation: (please reserve your seat for touristic in advance at least 1 week)
- Reservation by e-mail to tours@wts-thailand.com
- Reservation at “World Travel Service Desk” which located on the ground floor (nearby our reception counter) who will give all the details of the trips. Phone: 662 233 7060 ext. 5347
ABOUT THAILAND
GEOGRAPHY
The kingdom of Thailand lies in the heart of Southeast Asia, making it a natural gateway to Indochina, Myanmar and Southern China. Its shape and geography divide into four natural regions : the mountains and forests of the North; the vast rice fields of the Central Plains; the semi-arid farm lands of the Northeast plateau; and the tropical islands and long coastline of the peninsula South. The country comprises 76 provinces that are further divided into districts, sub-districts and villages. Bangkok is the capital city and centre of political, commercial, industrial and cultural activities. It is also the seat of Thailand’s revered Royal Family, with His Majesty the King recognised as Head of State, Head of the Armed Forces, Upholder of the Buddhist religion and Upholder of all religions.Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, or King Rama IX, the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty, the present king. The King has reigned for more than half a century, making him the longest reigning Thai monarch. Thailand embraces a rich diversity of cultures and traditions. With its proud history, tropical climate and renowned hospitality, the Kingdom is a never-ending source of fascination and pleasure for international visitors.
Time
GMT + 7 hours
Country telephone code
66 (followed by 2 for Bangkok or 1,9,.. for mobile)
POPULATION : 2008
According the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand has a population of about 63,000,000 people.
Population Growth rate: 0.64% (2008 est.)
Age Structure
0-14 years: 21.2% (male 7,104,776 / female 6,781,453)
15-64 years: 70.3% (male 22,763,274 / female 23,304,793)
65 years and over: 8.5% (male 2,516,721/female 3,022,281) (2008 est.)
LANGUAGE
Official language : Thai,
English is not widely spoken
WEATHER
Thailand can best be described as tropical and humid for the majority of the country during most of the year. The area of Thailand north of Bangkok has a climate determined by three seasons whilst the southern peninsular region of Thailand has only two.
- November to March, no so hot and dry
- April to June very hot up to 40° or more and dry
- July to October the rainy season, this is monsoon time with rain almost every day
In northern Thailand the seasons are clearly defined. Between November and May the weather is mostly dry, however this is broken up into the periods November to February and March to May. The later of these two periods has the higher relative temperatures as although the northeast monsoon does not directly effect the northern area of Thailand, it does cause cooling breezes from November to February.
The other northern season is from May to November and is dominated by the southwest monsoon, during which time rainfall in the north is at its heaviest.
The southern region of Thailand really has only two seasons — the wet and the dry. These seasons do not run at the same time on both the east and west side of the peninsular. On the west coast the southwest monsoon brings rain and often heavy storms from April through to October, whilst on the east coast the most rain falls between September and December.
Overall the southern parts of Thailand get by far the most rain with around 2,400 millimetres every year, compared with the central and northern regions of Thailand, both of which get around 1,400 millimetres.
Currency Notes
Paper baht comes in denominations of 10 (brown), 20 (green), 50 (blue), 100 (red), 500 (purple) and 1000 (beige).
Currency Coins
There are 100 satang in one baht; coins include 25-satang and 50-satang pieces and baht in denominations of 1, 2, 5 and 10. Thai baht is in denominations of:
Currency Exchange Rate (update on 23 March 2009) : 1 USD = 35.1567 Baht
Thai baht is in denominations of:
RELIGION
Thailand is one of the most strongly Buddhist countries in the world. The national religion is Theravada Buddhism, a branch of Hinayana Buddhism, practiced by more than 90 % of all Thais.
The remainder of the population adheres to lslam, Christianity, Hinduism and other faiths all of which are allowed full freedom of expression. Buddhism continues to cast strong influence on daily life. Senior monks are highly revered. Thus, in towns and villages, the temple (wat) is the heart of social and religious life. Meditation, one of the most popular aspects of Buddhism, is practiced regularly by numerous Thai as a means of promoting inner peace and happiness. Visitors, too, can learn the fundamentals of this practice at several centres in Bangkok and elsewhere in the country.
THAI SOCIAL STRUCTURE
In the Thai social system, the village is the unit. It was in former days, a self-contained one in its economy and needs. The people’s habits and customs were based mainly o n agriculture and religion. Most villages had a Buddhist monastery and a shrine for a village deity. The monastery served their spiritual as well as the people’s education. All arts, crafts and learning emanated from the monastery. From birth till death it centred round it. Its precincts were the meeting place for social g atherings on festive occasions. As to the village shrine it was used only occasionally in times of distress or on New Year’s day when offerings were made. It had nothing to do with Buddhism.
No doubt Buddhism softened and tamed animism in many of its cults. The above is only a fundamental and comparative statement which a student has to bear in mind when dealing with mod ern cultural problems. The social system, habits and customs as seen in modern times are superficial modifications of the fundamentals and in a comparative degree only.
In some outlying districts where there are retarded developments of culture due to lack of intercommunication and new ideas, the people are still in their primitive state, quite in contrast to the progress in the capital, towns and cities.
In these progressive parts “old times are changed, old manners gone” and a new type of cultures fills its place. This is a sign of progress but it must come gratdually. Adapt the old to the new but not in a revolutionary way. The new cultures have also their dangers with problems to be solved, because people take too much interest in politics. To adopt new cultures wholly unsuited to the needs which are peculiar to, and characteristic of each particular place is a danger. Culture ought to be varied with characteristics of its own in each locality and area, harmonizing, however, with the whole-a unity in diversity.
TRADITION & CULTURE
Thailand is a country of scenic diversity and ancient traditions, of tranquil temples and modern urban excitement. With and independent history going back more than seven centuries, it has managed to absorb a variety of cultural influences and blend them into something uniquely and memorably Thai.
Each of its four major regions offers a distinctive experience for the traveler in search of discovery. Misty mountains in the north shelter verdant valleys and exotic hill tribes, while in centers like Chiang Mai traditional customs and crafts have been preserved over generations. Along the picturesque coastlines of the east and south lie some of the world’s most beautiful beaches and off-shore islands, each with its own beauty. Scattered over the northeastern plateau are superb khamer monuments from the time of Angkor Wat and natural parks teeming with wild life. In the Central Region can be found the evocative ruins of ancient Thai capitals and bustling Bangkok with its dynamic and countless pleasures.
THAI FOODS
Thai food is known for its enthusiastic use of fresh (rather than dried) herbs and spices as well as fish sauce
. Thai food is popular in many Western countries especially in Australia, New Zealand, some countries in Europe such as the United Kingdom, as well as the United States, and Canada.
Instead of a single main course with side dishes found in Western cuisine, a Thai full meal typically consists of either a single dish or rice khao with many complementary dishes served concurrently.
Rice is a staple component of Thai cuisine, as it is of most Asian cuisines. The highly prized, sweet-smelling jasmine rice is indigenous to Thailand. This naturally aromatic long-grained rice grows in abundance in the verdant patchwork of paddy fields that blanket Thailand’s central plains. Its aroma bears no resemblance to the sweet smell of jasmine blossoms, but like jasmine flowers, this rice is precious and fragrant, a small everyday delight. Steamed rice is accompanied by highly aromatic curries, stir-frys and other dishes, incorporating sometimes large quantities of chillies, lime juice and lemon grass. Curries, stir-frys and others may be poured onto the rice creating a single dish called khao rad gang , a popular meal when time is limited. Sticky rice khao neow is a unique variety of rice that contains an unusual balance of the starches present in all rice, causing it to cook up to a pleasing sticky texture. It is the daily bread of Laos and substitutes ordinary rice in rural Northern and Northeastern Thai cuisine, where Lao cultural influence is strong.
Noodles, known throughout parts of Southeast Asia by the Chinese name kwaytiow, are popular as well but usually come as a single dish, like the stir-fried Pad Thai or noodle soups. Many Chinese cuisines are adapted to suit Thai taste, such as khuaytiow rue, a sour and spicy rice noodle soup.
There is uniquely Thai dish called nam prik which refers to a chile sauce or paste. Each region has its own special versions. It is prepared by crushing together chillies with various ingredients such as garlic and shrimp paste using a mortar and pestle. It is then often served with vegetables such as cucumbers, cabbage and yard-long beans, either raw or blanched. The vegetables are dipped into the sauce and eaten with rice. Nam prik may also be simply eaten alone with rice or, in a bit of Thai and Western fusion, spread on toast.
Thai food is generally eaten with a fork and a spoon. Chopsticks are used rarely, primarily for the consumption of noodle soups. The fork, held in the left hand, is used to shovel food into the spoon. However, it is common practice for Thais and hill tribe peoples in the North and Northeast to eat sticky rice with their right hands by making it into balls that are dipped into side dishes and eaten. Thai-Muslims also frequently eat meals with only their right hands.
Often thai food is served with a variety of spicy condiments to embolden the dish. This can range from dried chili pieces, sliced chili peppers in rice vinegar, to a spicy chili sauce such as the nam prik mentioned above.
WORKING HOURS
Government offices from 8 : 30 to 12 : 30 and 13 : 00 to 16 : 30 Monday to Friday
Banks and financial institutions from 8 : 30 to 15 : 30 Monday to Friday
Private companies / offices from 8 : 30 to 12 : 00 and 13 : 00 to 17 : 30 Monday to Friday and Saturday morning
Shops / Department stores 10 : 00 to 22 : 00 Monday to Sunday
More information please visit website as following:
About Thailand: http://www.tourismthailand.org/
About Bangkok: http://city.bangkok.go.th/en/index.php
REGISTRAION
The Hotel for the meetings, functions and the accommodation of delegates will be:
The Montien Hotel
The City, Surawongse Road
Bangkok
Registration Fee of USD 120.00 (or preferably, the equivalent in BAHT – inclusive VAT 7%) will be payable by ALL ATTENDEES directly to TAFA Thailand at the time of Registration at the meeting. The fee can be paid at the registration desk on the first day of the meetings – 5th June 09
Approximate exchange rate is 1 USD : 34.5 THB
Please find the following transport information for travel between Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Montien Hotel, The City, Bangkok.
For the Golf fee, please pay by cash directly to TAFA either in 80 USD or equivalent in BAHT (inclusive VAT 7%) at the Golf Day (4th June 09).
Please send your details and formal address in advance to TAFA if you require a receipt.