The Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) is Bangkok’s main international gateway. Flights to Bangkok are reasonably priced by world standards. Thai Airways is the major carrier in Thailand, but virtually every major airline carrier serves Bangkok. Passport holders of most countries can enter Thailand with no visa or with a "visa on arrival." Check the Thai embassy in your country for more information on entering Thailand.
The airport is approximately 15 kilometers from the center of Bangkok and approximately 30 kilometers from the College of Music. Airport taxi and limo service is available. There is also a new Airport Link service which goes to the BTS, Bankok's convenient skytrain service.
If going to a hotel in Bangkok, it is easiest to take a taxi. A taxi to Salaya will cost about 200-300 Baht and taxi drivers only accept cash. Most taxi drivers speak Thai and do not speak English. If your hotel is in Bangkok and close to a BTS station, you can take the Airport Link from the airport to the hotel.
If you are staying in Salaya, it is easiest to take a taxi. A taxi to Salaya will usually cost about 400-500 Baht and taxi drivers only accept cash. Most taxi drivers speak Thai and do not speak English. Printable direction pages to give to taxi drivers will be provided at a later time.
Public transportation in Thailand is both plentiful and cheap. Taxis can be found everywhere and are inexpensive. In Bankok, the BTS skytrain is a very convenient way to get around town.
If you are staying at a hotel in Bangkok and need to get to the College of Music, you can take a taxi or use the Salaya Link (the college's bus service). To use the Salaya Link, take the BTS skytrain to the Wongian Yai Station. Depart from the Wongian Yai Station at exit 4. Then take the Salaya Link bus to the College of Music. It costs 25 Thai baht. For more information, including the bus schedule, see www.music.mahidol.ac.th/salayalink.
Conference participants may wish to stay in Salaya or in Bangkok. Salaya is about 30 minutes to one hour away from Bangkok (depending on traffic). Salaya offers the benefit of being closer to the conference. Staying in Bangkok will put you closer to the attractions that make Bangkok famous.
The College of Music has student housing that will be offered at a very reasonable rate. Hotels in Salaya are reasonable by international standards. Hotels in Bangkok range from inexpensive to world-class 5 star hotels.
There are hundreds of hotels in Bangkok. If you reserve a hotel online, make sure it is close to a BTS (skytrain) station. This will make it easier to get around Bangkok and also to the College of Music. The College of Music has setup a special rate with the following hotel.
Arnoma Hotel (www.arnoma.com)
This beautiful hotel is centrally located in Bangkok's shopping district. Transportation to the conference location can be done by Taxi or by the BTS skytrain to the College of Music Bus Service (Salaya Link). Use the contact information below to get the conference special rate.
Rates:
Junior Suite: 4,000 Thai Baht per night
Deluxe Single/Twin Beds: 3,000 Thai Baht per night
Superior Single/Twin Beds: 2,600 Thai Baht per night
Breakfast: Included
Reservation: Download this form and fax or email it to the hotel (directions on the form)
Payment: At the hotel when checking out
Transportation: Not provided
Salaya Pavilion Hotel (www.salayapavilion.com)
The hotel is located within a walking distance of the conference location. It offers nice rooms at a reasonable rate. Use the contact information below to get the conference special rate.
Rates:
Superior Twin Beds: 1,125 Thai Baht per night
Deluxe Twin Beds: 2,470 Thai Baht per night
Breakfast: Included
Reservation: Kun Lek, icsureerat@mahidol.ac.th, (662) 441-0568-9
Payment: At the hotel when checking in
Transportation: Not needed (within walking distance to the conference location)
Royal Gems Hotel (www.royalgemsgolf.com)
The hotel is located at a beautiful golf course in Salaya. It offers nice rooms at a resonable rate. Use the contact information below to get the conference special rate.
Rates:
Superior Single Bed: 1,200 Thai Baht per night
Superior Twin Beds: 1,500 Thai Baht per night
Breakfast: Included
Reservation: Download this form and fax or email it to the hotel (directions on the form)
Payment: At the hotel when checking out
Transportation: Van is provided to the conference location
Low Cost Housing, MU Place (www.muplace.net)
A good-quality apartment building has been reserved for students or anyone wishing low cost housing. Use the contact information below to reserve a room or multiple rooms.
Rates:
Two Twin Size Beds: 550 Thai baht per night
One King Size Bed: 490 Thai Baht per night
Breakfast: Not included
Reservation: Kun Blaa, supitchaya.pla@gmail.com
Payment: By cash when arriving at the apartment
Transportation: Van is provided to the conference location
The official language of Thailand is Thai. English is the unofficial second language. Visitors who can speak English should have little problem traveling in Thailand.
The conference will take place during Thailand’s “Rainy Season.” The weather at this time is hot and humid, with temperatures getting as high as 38o Celsius. There is cloud cover throughout much of the day and it will often rain in the late afternoon. The temperature will drop after it rains, but it doesn’t get cool at night. Visitors should bring light, loose fitting clothing and drink lots of water. All conference facilities are air conditioned.
One of the joys of visiting Thailand is the food. It is possible to eat very inexpensively in Bangkok and Salaya, while trying many of the dishes that make Thai food famous the world over. It is very common to eat out in Thailand and food can be found on almost every street corner in Bangkok.
The College of Music has two places to eat, the canteen and the Music Square Restaurant. The Canteen offers ready-made and cooked to order Thai dishes for as little as 25 baht (75 cents). Prices at Music Square will cost around 5 U.S. dollars.
In addition, there are two international restaurants within walking distance of the College of Music and several very good Thai restaurants located a 10 minute walk away.
A Conference Banquet would be held at the close of the conference and will be available to all participants for a reasonable price.
It is important to note that many Thai dishes are spicy. Visitors that do not like spicy food should be prepared to order their food “mai pet,” meaning “not spicy.”
Thailand uses 240V, 50Hz. Most electrical outlets accept two flat or two round electrical plugs. Older plugs that only accept two round plugs are becoming rare, but can still be found in some older hotels. Visitors should make sure their electronic devices can use this voltage.