SAWASDEE KRUB / SAWASDEE KHA

That's the way we greet people here in Thailand. We are pleased to have this opportunity to welcome you to Thailand and to Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, the only truly open university in Thailand. We have endeavored to ensure that your stay with us in the Land of Smiles is a rewarding and exciting one. We extend to you a cordial invitation to relax and enjoy the pleasant surroundings while making new friends and sharing the gracious and captivating Thai hospitality so well known throughout the world.

WORKING LANGUAGE

English is the official language of the conference. No simultaneous translation will be provided.

VISA INFORMATION

• Generally, a foreign citizen who wishes to enter the Kingdom of Thailand is required to obtain a visa from a Royal Thai Embassy or a Royal Thai
  Consulate-General. However, nationals of certain countries do not require a visa if they meet visa exemption requirements as follows:
   (1) they are nationals of countries which are exempted from visa requirements when entering Thailand for tourism purposes. Such nationals will be
   permitted to stay in the Kingdom for a period of not exceeding 30 days. For more information, please see Summary of Countries and Territories entitled for
  Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival to Thailand.

   (2) they are nationals of countries which hold bilateral agreements with Thailand on the exemption of visa requirements. For more information, please see
  Summary of Countries and Territories entitled for Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival to Thailand.

• Nationals of certain countries may apply for visa upon arrival in Thailand. Travellers with this type of visa are permitted to enter and stay in Thailand for a
  period of not exceeding 15 days. For more information, please see Summary of Countries and Territories entitled for Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival to
  Thailand.

• Travellers travellling from/through countries which have been declared Yellow Fever Infected Areas must acquire an International Health Certificate
  verifying the receiving of a Yellow Fever vaccination.

• Nationals of certain countries are required to apply for a visa only at the Royal Thai Embassy or the Royal Thai Consulate-General in the applicant’s country
  of residence, or at the Royal Thai Embassy which has jurisdiction over his or her country of residence. Travellers are advised to enquire about authorised
  office for visa issuance at any Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate-General before departure. Contact details
  and locations of Royal Thai Embassies and Royal Thai Consulates-General are available at Thai Embassy and Consulates

For information on requirements for visa application to attend the STOU Conference 2019 in Thailand, please visit Ministry of Foreign Affairs or ask Thai Embassies or consulates in their countries of origin.

CURRENCY AND EXCHANGE SERVICES

The official Thai currency is the baht. The baht is divided into 100 satang. Coins are valued at 25 satang, 50 satang, 1 baht, 2 baht, 5 baht and 10 baht. Banknotes are issued in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 baht. Major currency bills and travelers checks are accepted at hotels, banks, and foreign exchange facilities in tourist areas and shopping centers. Credit cards are widely accepted and cards can be used for payment at major shops.

ELECTRICITY

The electrical current in Thailand is 220 volts, 50 cycles throughout the Kingdom. Power plugs are two-prong flat or round plugs, as well as grounded plugs. Participants are advised to bring along multiple socket adaptors.

WEATHER

August comes during Thailand’s rainy season, but there will still be plenty of sunshine. There will likely be an average of one brief rain storm per day, with sunny or partly cloudy weather the rest of the time. The temperature range for Nonthaburi and Central part of Thailand in August is 26-32° C.

DIRECTIONS FROM SUVARNABHUMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Public Taxi

Taking a public taxi to Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University is both reasonably priced and convenient. After exiting the baggage area, follow the posted signs to public taxi stand, which will take you to the 1st floor Gates 4 and 7. Continue following the signs out of the airport, and the taxi stand is outside the door. Wait in the queue if necessary, and then tell the attendant your destination: Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University in Muang Thong Thani. The fare will be according to the meter, and should be paid upon arrival at the university. It will vary based on traffic and the route taken, but should be around 450 baht plus a fee of 50 baht for driver. Expressway tolls are the responsibility of the passenger as well, and should be paid to the driver before reaching each toll gate. Typical expressway tolls from Suvarnabhumi to the university are around 110 baht total.

Airport Limousine Service

The airport limousine service counter is located on the 2nd floor at baggage claims and arrival hall exits channel A, B and C. This is a more expensive option, but those eager to avoid any queue may prefer to use this service. Unlike public taxis, the airport limousines are unmetered, so the price is typically agreed upon before leaving.

Airport Rail Link

This is an even more economical option, but will take more time and is more complicated. The first step is to get to Victory Monument. Passengers may take the Airport Rail Link to Phayathai station, and then transfer to the BTS Sky train to Victory Monument. Alternatively, passengers can take the airport shuttle (the bus stop is past the taxi stand) to the airport bus station, and then board a bus or van marked for Victory Monument.

From the walkway (walking from the BTS station), go to the right, all the way to the end and around most of the traffic circle. Then go down the stairs to the traffic circle and wait for bus number 166. Tell the fare collector that you are going to Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University.