VENUE & TRAVEL INFO
CHIANG MAI | THAILAND
3WSFC will take place in Chiang Mai in inland Thailand. This former seat of the Lanna kingdom is nowadays the hub of Northern Thailand and the Capital City of the Province of this name. With a population of over 170,000 in the city proper, with more than 1 million in the metropolitan area, it is Thailand's fifth-largest city. Located on a plain and surrounded by a mountainous terrain formed by the Himalayan Mountain Range, this green city with a lush countryside and a cosmopolitan air is also known as the "Rose of the North". The city sits astride the Ping River, a major tributary of the Chao Phraya River. Chiang Mai has a tropical savanna climate, tempered by the low latitude and moderate elevation, with warm to hot weather year-round.
VENUE
Holiday Inn | Chiang Mai
3WSFC will be held at the Holiday Inn in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand.
318/1 Chiang Mai-Lamphun Road, Amphur Muang, Wat Ket, Chiangmai, Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand.
ACCOMMODATION
The Holiday Inn is on the margin of Ping River, with easy access to businesses and shopping districts. It is located minutes away from the famous temples and the renowned night bazaar, and at a distance of 4 km from the Chiang Mai International Airport.
3WSFC is being held at the Holiday Inn in Chiang Mai, Thailand. There is a very limited number of rooms with the discounted price (1,400 Thai Baht, taxes included) still available for the congress participants. The booking can be made by contacting the Holiday Inn directly at reservations.chiangmai@ihg.com. Please keep in mind that the rooms will be available on a first come, first serve basis.
Sunny V Hotel
Superior room (single/double) at Baht 1,500 per room per night, inclusive of taxes, daily breakfast and internet. The hotel is less than 500 m from the Holiday Inn. For reservation at this hotel, please write to: rsvn@sunnyvhotel.com. Booking code: 3WSFC. Visit website: http://sunnyvhotel.com/
Park Hotel Chiang Mai
Superior room (single/double) at Baht 1,300 per room per night, inclusive of taxes, daily breakfast and internet. The hotel is about 600 m from the Holiday Inn. Booking can be done by email to: rsvnpark@empresshotels.com. Reservation code: 30051. Visit website: http://www.parkhotelchiangmai.com/
TRANSPORTATION
Arriving by Air
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) is host to a large number of international and domestic flights daily. The most common route to Chiang Mai is through Bangkok (BKK). There are numerous daily flights from the capital to Chiang Mai on a variety of airlines. If you are looking to book a domestic flight in Thailand and Asian's regional flight destinations, the Thai Smile Airways is a very good option for a Thai airline, with full service at an affordable cost. To book a domestic flight, visit: https://www.thaismileair.com/en/
The Chiang Mai International Airport is located at 4 km or about a 15-minute drive from the 3WSFC venue. Transportation to and from the Chiang Mai International airport is available via the Super-Highway and Chiang Mai-Hod Road with public taxi service. There are several kinds of transportation services provided for passengers at the airport. Transportation service counters are located on the 1st floor opposite domestic and international arrival lounges.
The Chiang Mai Airport is located at a short distance from the city center. Many hotels will arrange free transfer to and from the airport. Check with your hotel to see if they provide this service. The Holiday Inn Chiang Mai (conference venue) offers airport transfer for their guests upon reservation for 120 THB. Please fill out the 'Airport Transfer Booking Form' and contact them to make your reservation at reservations.chiangmai@ihg.com .
Getting around
Most accommodation options are within a walking distance from the 3WSFC venue. If you need transportation from your accommodation to the venue you may take a taxi, a rót daang, tuk-tuk, or a bus to go from your accommodation to the venue.
Rót daang (literally 'red trucks') operate as shared taxis, and they roam the streets picking up passengers who are heading in the direction they are traveling. There are no fixed routes so the easiest thing to do is to ask if the driver will take you where you want to go. Journeys start from 20 THB for a short trip of a few blocks and 40 THB for a longer trip.
Tuk-tuk, a three-wheeled, window-less hybrid between a motorcycle and a taxi, are painted in bright colors (reds, blues, and greens) making them easily identified, and are found all throughout the city. They work only on a charter basis and are more expensive than rót daang, but they offer that energizing wind-through-your-hair feeling and are faster in traffic. Rates start at 60 THB for short trips and creep up to 100 THB at night. Some drivers can be pushy and may try to steer you towards attractions that pay commissions.
Samlors still cruise the streets of the old city and will go your way for about the same price as tuk-tuks. They are also available for short tours of Wats (temples) and places of interest. If you're not in a hurry, it's a novel way to see the inner city temples.
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When in Chiang Mai...
There will be a lot to explore around Chiang Mai. Amongst the main attractions are the various Buddhist temples to visit, such as Wat Chiang Man, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Suan Dok, Wat Chedi Luang, and Wat Jet Yot. Natural wonders include the Doi Inthanon and the Elephant Nature Parks.
Shop and eat at the Warorot Market and stroll the main Sunday night walking street market, Ratchiangsaen Rd, which takes you from Tha Phae Gate to the popular Wat Phra Singh.
Not to be missed: See the view from Doi Suthep, eat a bowl of kao soi, and purchase an umbrella from Bo Sang.
TRAVEL INFO
Currency
The National currency in Thailand is the Thai Baht (THB), which is equivalent to approximately 0.030 US Dollar. You can use the currency converter below.
Visa information
Check below whether you are from a visa exempt country, a country that requires visa upon arrival, or a country from which a visa should be requested prior to your visit to Thailand. Ensure that your passport will be valid for at least another six months from the date of travel.
Visa exempt countries For a stay of up to 30 days, passport holders from 55 countries do not require a visa to enter Thailand according to a recent Visa Exemption Rule and Bilateral Agreement. See list of visa exempt countries. Passport holders from visa exempt countries should also meet the following criteria: visit strictly for tourism purposes; hold and show proof a return ticket within 30 days of entry; prove to have funds of at least 10,000 THB (equivalent to approximately 300 US Dollar) per person during your stay in Thailand.
Visa on arrival Passport holders from 19 countries require visa on arrival. Passport holders from visa on arrival countries should also meet the following criteria: visit strictly for tourism purposes; hold a genuine passport that should be valid for at least 30 days; have a valid address in Thailand whether a hotel or apartment that can be verified; have a confirmed return ticket to show that they are flying out of Thailand within 15 days of entry, as appropriate; prove that you have funds of at least 10,000 THB (equivalent to approximately 300 US Dollar) per person and 20,000 THB per family during your stay in Thailand. A fee of 2,000THB is payable upon entry and is subject to change without notice. It must be paid in cash and Thai currency only.
If your country is not on the list of Visa exempt countries nor Visa on arrival , that means you are required to obtain a visa with the Royal Thai Embassy prior to your visit.
Weather and travel tips
October in Thailand is the end of the rainy season. It might still rain, but the weather remains mostly sunny with cooler temperatures and decreased humidity. It is one of the prettiest times to visit Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand, at the tail end of the wet weather when the rice fields create a patchwork of green across the landscape.
Book a cultural tour or a nature tour with a local, community-supported travel company - 'Chiang Mai Eco Tour'! You may want to take some time to meditate, or embrace the opportunity to learn how to cook Thai food or how to make your own pottery! While in the city, go for a relaxing stroll along Ping River or hop into a fun historical city tour! How about going for a short trip to visit the Karen village to sip on some organic coffee, or to the Emerald Jungle for a refreshing swim under a waterfall? You can also take care of elephants as you bath and feed them. Starting at 50 USD for half-day tours and 95 USD for full-day tours, 'Chiang Mai Eco Tour' is a great option to make the best out of your stay in Chiang Mai while also supporting a local company. Visit their webpage and book online at https://bananayh.wixsite.com/ecotourii