FAQs and Logistics

Participants must register online at https://indico.un.org/e/unrbhr2024 no later than 20 September 2024 to ensure timely processing of their meeting badge which grants access to the UN Conference Centre. Participants who have registered through the above link can obtain their meeting badges at the registration counter, located on the Ground Floor, UNCC, from 08:00 to 11:00 and 13:00 to 15:00 hours from 23-27 September 2024. Note that the meeting badge is valid for the entire event and will only need to be collected by participants once. Participants who are not able to register by 20 September are requested to do so upon their arrival at UNCC and before going to the conference/meeting rooms. Please note that this may cause delays in entering the building, hence registration through the Indico platform (link above) is recommended. Each participant should receive an email confirmation that their registration has been approved. To speed up the process of registration, please have this email and the accompanying QR code available when checking in at the registration desk. However, the confirmation email and QR code are not required for entry. You must have a valid passport or Thai ID card when checking in. For identification and security reasons, all participants are REQUIRED to wear their meeting badges at all times while they are in the UN complex, including meetings and social functions. If a meeting badge is lost, it should be immediately communicated to the registration counter or UN security so that the incident can be recorded and a new badge issued. Please note that parking space is not available at the Venue unless otherwise agreed with the organisers.

It's okay. Having the QR code will speed up your check-in process, but is not required to complete your registration and security check-in process. However, you must have a valid passport or Thai ID card when checking in.

UN Conference Center (UNCC), UNESCAP, Rajadamnern Nok Avenue Khwaeng Bang Khun Phrom, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand See location on Google Maps

Participants and session organizers are strongly encouraged to share documents through soft copies to reduce the Forum’s carbon footprint. The UN and Forum Secretariat will not be able to print any documents. We encourage sustainable meeting practices including the Paper-Smart Initiative. Meeting organizers are encouraged to use eco-friendly and innovative means to deliver information during their meetings and side events, instead of handing out hard copies of flyers, documents, newsletters, and other materials. All information related to the Forum, including concept note and agenda, are available on the Forum website at https://www.rbhrforum.com/agenda2024. Please note that signage will be posted in the venue with information on session timings and assigned rooms.

For security and safety reasons, participants are reminded NOT to leave their belongings unattended. Belongings left unattended within the UNCC may be removed to the nearest Lost and Found counter or the Security Operations Centre. All drone unmanned aircrafts are prohibited from flying over the UNCC as per the security requirements. All occupants of the UNCC MUST comply at all times with all lawful directions given by the officers of the United Nations Security and Safety Section. Failure to do so may lead to the participant’s removal from the UNCC. Contact numbers: UN Security Security Control Centre (24/7): +66.2.2881102 UN Security Emergency Number: +66.2.2881100 Mobile +66.81.8078471 Thailand emergency numbers: Police general emergency call: 191 Fire: 199 Ambulance and rescue: 1669/1554 Tourism Police: 1155 Zero tolerance towards harassment The United Nations has a zero-tolerance policy for any form of harassment, including sexual harassment, and will deal with such complaints promptly. Please refer to the United Nations Code of Conduct and report any incident to the Security and Safety Section either in person or by phone at +66 2288 1102. In addition, any act of intimidation or reprisals for participation at the UN Responsible Business and Human Rights Forum, should be promptly reported to the Secretariat of the Forum at: unrbhrforun@undp.org. Security protocols for UN personnel In line with security procedures for UN staff, travel notification through the Travel Request Information Process (TRIP) is required prior to any official travel. Upon notification of travel on TRIP, UN staff members will automatically receive an updated security advice for UN visitors to Thailand. Please visit https://dss.un.org to apply for this travel notification. In addition, the UN Department of Safety and Security requires all UN personnel, including interns and consultants, to complete the mandatory BSAFE Security Awareness Training. These security certifications are required to be completed prior to having commenced official travel.  For more, please watch this short video.

Light lunch, coffee and snacks will be provided by the Forum. Additional catering services are available at the following locations at participant’s own cost: International Cafeteria (Level 1, UNCC), which serves breakfast from 7:30 to 10:00 hours, and Thai, Halal and International menus for lunch from 11:00 to 14:00 hours on Monday through Friday. Coffee Corner (Level 1, UNCC), which serves assortment of bakery pastries and beverages, is open from 07:00 to 17:00 hours on Monday through Friday. Rajapruek Lounge (Ground Level, UNCC), which serves light meals and beverages, is open from 07:00 to 17:00 hours on Monday through Friday. Minimizing wastage In line with minimizing wastage at the UN in Bangkok, the UNCC employs a strict disposable waste policy. Coffee shops at the UNCC do not provide disposable cups, so the users either bring their own reusable cups/mugs or put a security deposit of THB 100 (per cup/mug), which will be returned to the participant when the cup/mug is returned. Dining venues at the UNCC also do not provide food storage boxes, plastic cutlery or straws for takeaway orders. Diners wishing to take food away are advised to bring their own reusable food containers.

All of the sessions will be made available online, through livestreaming and/or a virtual webinar on Zoom. More information will be available on this site closer to the date of the Forum, and links will be shared via email to all registered participants.

The UNCC is fully wheelchair-accessible and houses the Accessibility Centre on Level 1. For more information, please visit the Accessibility Centre’s webpages.

Telecommunication Services: Participants can either obtain a local temporary sim card for calling and data services or update their usual sim cards to international calling and data. Free wireless internet access is available in all conference and meeting rooms and in the public areas of the UNCC. Please use UN-WiFi. No password is required. The use of the internet at UNCC is governed by relevant organisational policies and guidelines. Failure to adhere to policies may result in revoking those services. Prayer and Meditation Rooms: Prayer and meditation rooms are located in front of ESCAP Hall on Level 2, UNCC. Souvenir Shop: The souvenir shop is located on Level 1 of UNCC. It is open from 09:00 to 16:00 hours, Monday through Friday. Postal Services: Postal services are available at the United Nations branch of Thailand Post, located on the Ground Level of UNCC. It is open from 08:00 to 16:00 hours, Monday through Friday. Lost and Found: Please contact the Security Operations Centre in person or by phone at +66.2.2881102. Banking facilities: Banking services are available at the Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), United Nations Branch, located on Level 1 of the Service Building, from 08:30 to 15:30 hours during weekdays. Siam Commercial Bank ATMs can be found in front of the above-mentioned SCB Branch and next to the Registration desk on the Ground Level of UNCC. Library facilities: ESCAP Library is located on Level 1, Service Building (next to SCB Bank), and welcomes in-person visitors from 09:00 to 15:00, Tuesday to Thursday, or by appointment. For more details on using ESCAP Library resources, please visit https://www.unescap.org/library, call x.1360, or stop by and consult with staff on duty.

The UNCC floor plans are available at https://www.unescap.org/uncc/our-rooms. The UN buildings are smoke-free. Smoking is permitted only in the designated areas outside of the buildings and in the UNCC, the designated smoking area is outside of the Public Foyer.

The UN buildings are smoke-free. Smoking is permitted only in the designated areas outside of the buildings, and in the UNCC, the designated smoking area is outside of the Public Foyer.

Participants are REQUIRED to obtain an appropriate entry visa from the Royal Thai Embassy or the Royal Thai Consulate-General before entering Thailand, EXCEPT for those nationals entitled for visa exemption or visa on arrival (VOA) at following lists. 1) List of Countries and Territories whose Nationals are entitled to Visa Exemption for Ordinary Passports 2) List of Countries and Territories having Bilateral Agreement with Thailand on Visa Exemption for Ordinary Passports 3) List of Countries and Territories having Bilateral Agreement with Thailand on Visa Exemption for Diplomatic/Official passports 4) List of Countries and Territories whose Nationals May Apply for Visa on Arrival (VOA) Please note that participants holding UN Laissez-Passer (UNLP) travelling on official business to Thailand are also REQUIRED to obtain an appropriate visa before entering. To apply for an appropriate entry visa to Thailand, participants are required to contact their nearest Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate-General for the most updated information regarding visa application procedures and required documents. The list of Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate-General can be found at https://www.thaiembassy.org. The recommended visa for attending the Forum is a non-immigrant education (ED) visa. The purpose of the visa should be to “attend workshop, training or seminar organized by government agency or foreign mission and international organization in Thailand”. For more information, see: https://www.thaievisa.go.th/visa/non-immigrant-ed. Participants who wish to apply for a visa outside their country of residence or reside in a country where there is no Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate, should check with the Thai authorities for the location where it is possible for them to apply for a Thai visa. Please note that certain nationalities, for security reasons, are are only allowed to apply for a visa at the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate-General which has jurisdiction over the concerned territory. Participants who wish to apply for a visa on arrival at Suvarnabhumi International Airport or Don Muang International Airport should follow the below requirements: The applicant must possess a passport from the list of countries whose nationals are eligible to apply for visa on arrival (List of countries entitled for Visa on Arrival) with the validity of more than 30 days, at least one completely blank page, and be in possession of a valid return ticket with date of departure within 15 days of the date of entry. The applicant must fill out an application form, which is available at the Visa-on-Arrival counter at the airport, supply one recent passport-sized photograph and a fee of Thai Baht (THB) 2,000. Advanced online application is available at Visa on Arrival. Upon presentation of printed Transaction Reference Number (TRN), the applicant could obtain the visa at the Visa-on-Arrival counter at the airport before proceeding for immigration procedures. The applicant must provide proof of means of living expenses at the amount of THB 10,000 per person or THB 20,000 per family. Note:  The information provided above is accurate as of July 2024.

Hotels, located relatively close to the UN or by mass-transit routes, may be used by participants, should they choose to. The selection of hotels at a walking distance from the UNCC is encouraged to reduce participants’ local travel emissions and their exposure to traffic. Click here for a list of hotels, with indicative prices. NOTE: UN cannot vouch for accuracy of the information or rates contained in the document. The list is meant purely for reference and for ease of participants. The special discount rates provided are subject to change without notice. Please confirm the room rates with the hotel directly. Participants are responsible for booking their own rooms and are requested to contact the hotel well in advance. Any cancellations, postponements or other changes should be reported to the hotel. Rooms not occupied may be charged to the participants as per the hotel’s policies. Before departure from Bangkok, participants should settle directly with the respective hotels all accounts, including room charges and other expenses, such as for local and long-distance telephone calls, Internet usage, business center usage, laundry, room and hotel transportation services, mini-bar items, as well as restaurant and bar services. Participants are also responsible for any charges incurred with respect to rooms remaining vacant owing to late arrival or rescheduled departure for which inadequate prior notice is given.

Participants need to make their own transportation arrangements from Suvarnabhumi International Airport or Don Mueang International Airport to their respective hotels. For the Airport Rail Link, an express and commuter rail connecting to Makkasan Station (MRT subway Petchaburi Station) and Phayathai Station (BTS Skytrain), passengers should go to Level B. Detailed information can be found at https://www.srtet.co.th/index.php/en/ Electric taxis (EVsociety/VIP) are currently available at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport. The counter is located next to the main taxi area. The service is available 24 hours and can be pre-booked via: Line ID: @evsociety Phone: +66 2039 8888 Email: taxivip@evsociety.co.th EV Society Facebook Metered-taxi and bus services are readily available at the airport. More information is available at https://www.bangkokairportonline.com To use the airport limousine service, participants should only contact the authorized officials at the counters located in the airport arrival zone. These officials will issue a ticket for the assignment of a limousine for transporting passengers to the desired destination, upon request. The Suvarnabhumi International Airport limousine service counters are located on Level 2 at Baggage Claim and Arrival Hall exits, channels A, B and C. For public taxis, participants are advised to proceed to the Level 1 of the Passenger Terminal, between exit doors 4 and 7, outdoor area, where they will find automatic dispensing machines from which they can collect a queuing ticket for a public taxi. In addition to toll fees, there is a THB 50 surcharge to be added to the meter charge from the airport to the city. Please refer to the airport website noted above for details.

Participants need to make their own transport arrangements to and from the UNCC. Metered taxis are readily available in the city and you may also book your transportation via applications such as Grab and Volt. Some hotels close to the UN building may provide complimentary transfer service on fixed schedule, to and from the UNCC, so please check with the hotel concierge.

The American Express Global Business Travel (AMEX-GBT), whose office is located on Level 1, UNCC, can offer assistance in making reservations. Please feel free to send a request to escap_amextravel@un.org.

Clothes: Business casual or traditional cloth are recommended. September is raining season. We recommend you carry an umbrella and raincoat. Currency: The Thai Baht is used in Bangkok. All major international credit cards (such as MasterCard and Visa) are widely accepted in Bangkok. Participants can exchange their foreign currency at the airport or use any of the 24-hour ATM machines found across the city. Weather: The weather in Bangkok is usually warm and humid. Light tropical clothing would be appropriate. The conference and meeting rooms at the UNCC are air-conditioned and the temperature is maintained in the range of 23-24 degrees Celsius (73-75 degrees Fahrenheit). Time Zone: Bangkok follows Indochina Time (ICT) which is GMT+7. Electricity Supply: The electric power in Thailand is 220V running at 50Hz and the plug types used are either Type A, Type B, or Type C. A hybrid socket is almost universally found, which accepts a combination of the above plug types. Delegates are strongly encouraged to carry their own adapters for use with laptops and other electrical appliances as the Secretariat will not be able to provide these. In case of need, adapters can be purchased from shops in the city dealing in electronic and electrical items. Health Services: It is recommended to carry drinking water with oneself at all times due to the temperature. Tap water is not drinkable in Thailand. Language: Thai is spoken widely. However, English is also spoken for business purposes by parts of the population. Cultural Sensitivity: Bangkok is a cosmopolitan city which is a much-loved travel destination internationally. Travel Advisory: Visitors are advised to be respectful of Thai customs at all times. Please note that Thailand has laws against making negative comments about the institution of the monarchy. Such laws are strictly enforced and are applicable to spoken, written, gestures and electronic communication, including social media. Souvenir Shop: The souvenir shop is located on Level 1 of UNCC. It is open from 09:00 to 16:00 hours, Monday through Friday. Prayer and Meditation Rooms: Prayer and meditation rooms are located in front of ESCAP Hall on Level 2, UNCC. Postal Services: Postal services are available at the United Nations branch of Thailand Post, located on the Ground Level of UNCC. It is open from 08:00 to 16:00 hours, Monday through Friday. Lost and Found: Please contact the Security Operations Centre in person or by phone at +66.2.2881102.  Airlines Reservations: Many international airlines operate regular services to and from Bangkok. Participants are advised to secure their return bookings prior to their departure for Bangkok. If this is not possible, they should make firm return bookings immediately upon arrival in Bangkok. Foreign Currency Declaration: Any person who brings or takes an aggregate amount of foreign currency exceeding USD 20,000 or its equivalent into or out of the Kingdom of Thailand shall declare such amount of foreign currency to a Customs Official. Failure to make such a declaration or making any false declaration to a Customs official is a criminal offence. For reference, participants may use – at their discretion – online currency conversion tool, such as https://freecurrencyrates.com for indicative currency conversion rates. The UNCC floor plans are available at https://www.unescap.org/uncc/our-rooms.

Banking services are available at the Siam Commercial Bank, United Nations Branch, located on Level 1 of the Service Building, from 08:30 to 15:30 hours during weekdays. Siam Commercial Bank ATMs can be found near the registration desk, on the Ground Level of UNCC, and near its UN Branch office, as noted above.

YELLOW FEVER Upon arrival at the port of entry in Thailand, participants who are nationals of or have traveled from/through countries listed below, which have been declared Yellow Fever infected areas, must provide an International Health Certificate proving that they have received a valid Yellow Fever vaccination at the Health Control Office upon arrival before proceeding to immigration. A valid vaccination certificate means that the vaccine was administered at least 10 days prior to travel to the affected country. The International Health Certificate must also be submitted together with the visa application form. The countries/areas listed below have been declared yellow fever infected areas (Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand dated 30 November 2022): Angola Argentina Benin Bolivia Brazil Burkina Faso Burundi Cameroon Central African Republic Chad Colombia Congo Republic of the Congo Cote d’Ivoire Ecuador Equatorial Guinea Ethiopia French Guiana Gabon Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Kenya Liberia Mali Mauritania Niger Nigeria Panama Paraguay Peru Rwanda Sao Tome & Principe Senegal Sierra Leone Somalia Sudan Suriname Tanzania Togo Trinidad & Tobago Uganda Venezuela ZIKA VIRUS Zika is endemic in Thailand and cases have been reported amongst tourists. All travelers are advised to protect themselves from mosquito bites while in Thailand. Given possible transmission of the disease to unborn babies, pregnant women should consider postponing travel to Thailand or talk to their doctor about the implications of traveling to Thailand during this time. In addition to the above, Medical Services Division at UNHQs advises that pregnant UN personnel should not undertake duty travel or be relocated to countries/areas where local transmission of Zika virus is known to occur. Women who are seeking pregnancy should obtain individual advice from their medical practitioner on risk management regarding their plans to travel into a Zika-affected area. For further information, please refer to the Zika virus FAQ. Information on other non-vaccine preventable diseases to watch out for while in Thailand can be found here: Thailand - Traveler view | Travelers' Health | CDC.

Bangkok, like many metropolitan Asian cities in the world, is periodically affected by high levels of air pollution, with haze and high concentrations of PM2.5 particularly of concern for sensitive groups. The Tourism Authority of Thailand advises tourists to monitor Bangkok’s air pollution and take precautions when necessary. People who have existing asthma or are particularly vulnerable to the effects of air pollution should consult their treating physician as to whether a trip to Bangkok is advisable at this time. Information on the Air pollution can be found Air4Thai website, maintained by the government of Thailand with daily information on air pollution.

Participants are strongly encouraged to subscribe to a travel or health insurance which is valid in the Kingdom of Thailand, in order to cover any medical bills or hospitalization fees. In case of medical emergency, please call 1669. The nearest hospital to the UNCC is Mission Hospital, which has English speaking medical support staff +662-282-1100. When feeling unwell while in the UNCC: Anyone who feels unwell while already within the UNCC is advised to call any medical service staff at +66 2288 1352/1353/1761 during business hours, for further guidance. After business hours, they are advised to call the UN Medical Officer at +66 2288 1353 for further guidance. In case of a medical emergency within the UNCC, they are advised to call UN Security at +66 2288 1102/1120 for assistance in calling an ambulance.

During the event, first-aid and emergency medical services will be available at the First-aid room, which is located on the Ground Level of the UNCC, next to the Post Office. Delegates are strongly encouraged to subscribe to travel or health insurance which is valid in the Kingdom of Thailand, in order to cover any medical bills or hospitalisation fees.

The primary language will be English. Interpretation will not be provided.

Registration for in-person participation will be screened by the Forum Secretariat due to limited in-person capacity at the event venue . Registration for in-person participation will close on 20 September 2024. A final confirmation will be sent to selected in-person participants. Please do not make travel arrangements before receiving an invitation to attend the Forum in person in Bangkok. For queries related to this, please reach out to the Forum Secretariat at unrbhrforum@undp.org. Registration for virtual participation will remain open until the event. Note: All costs related to in-person participation (i.e., travel and accommodation) will be borne by the individual or their organization.