   
 65th IFLA Council and General
Conference
Bangkok, Thailand, August 20 - August 28, 1999
The Official Airline is Thai Airways International. Ask your nearest Thai Airways office for the special conference fare by giving IFLA '99 Conference reference number assigned to you.
See the Thai Airways International advertisement at the back cover.
A valid passport is required for entry into Thailand. For countries having no diplomatic relations with Thailand, an entry visa can be obtained from nearby countries where Thai Embassies are located, or from the consulate if there is one.
In case of doubt, information can be obtained from Thai Embassy or Consulate, or from your travel agent.
An official letter of invitation to facilitate your visa application for entry to Thailand will be sent by the Thai Organizing Committee on request. It does not include financial support.
See also the page on Visa Requirements for Thailand.
The weather in Bangkok in August is sunny with an average temperature around 30° C (86° F) with occasional rain. Light cotton clothing is recommended as is an umbrella / raincoat and a jacket.
Bank opening hours in Bangkok are 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Currency exchange outside banking hours is possible at a number of locations and hotels. Credit cards are widely accepted at all major hotels and most restaurants and shops.
The basic monetary unit in Thailand is the Baht. A baht is divided into 100 satang. There are notes for 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 baht. There are coins for 25 and 50 satang and also 1, 5 and 10 baht.
Electricity is supplied at 220v. 50 cycles throughout the country.
A post office is located in the BITEC
Post office hours in Bangkok are 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Weekdays, 8:30 am. - noon on Saturday.
In Bangkok shops are generally open everyday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., an in the city centre from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Thai Limousine Service:
- Please contact counter # 7 at terminal 1 (inbound) and counter # 5155 at terminal 2 (inbound)
- The limousines run 24 hours a day, from Bangkok International Airport to your hotel. Price approximately 500-650 baht (1998 rate).
Metered taxis are available at the airport and downtown. Price depends on your destination. Please be sure to change your money into Thai currency. Passengers must pay tolls in case of using an express way.
- The buses run from 05:00 - 23:00 Fare 70 baht.
- Route A: #1 Airport to Silom Road
- Route A: #3 Airport to Ekamai Road.
Buses will only stop at bus stop en route on request.
- For further information visit the following website:
- http://www.tourismthailand.org
- and
- http://www.amazingthailand.th/amazing2000/index.html
Bangkok is known to the Thais as "Krungthep" which means the City of Angels. It was established as the capital of Thailand in 1782 by King Rama I. Over the past two centuries, Bangkok has developed into a renown modern metropolis with a population of over eight millions.
Bangkok has impressed visitors from around the globe with its unique beauty of contrast. Like other modern cities Bangkok boasts lots of massive skyscrapers including sophisticated office buildings, luxurious hotels and accommodations, shopping centres, and a modern international airport. However, traditional Thai culture has never lost its charm in the midst of Bangkok's fast growing urbanization and busy life style. Bangkok is a city where East and West, the ancient and the modern, stay side by side. Its surface has taken on the look of the present time, while underneath the old ways are much alive in Thais' everyday life. Thus, Bangkok is always a wonderful place for a glimpse of traditional arts, architecture, religion, and other aspects of the culture of the Thai people.
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