Dear Participants
I’m writing this as an update to the recent bombings in Bangkok, Thailand.
As a summary, on the evening of the 17th August, a bomb went off in the Chidlom District of Central Bangkok which resulted in significant harm. Subsequently, in the afternoon on the 18th of August a second bombing occurred at Taksin Bridge, however fortunately no one was harmed.
The Thai authorities have responded quickly placing in measures, increasing security, issued warnings and have been placed on high alert.
In light of what has happened and the second bombing we recommend participants stay away from Bangkok, especially crowded areas and tourist locations. Travel advice for Thailand globally have stated that travel is not restricted however a high degree of caution should be exercised.
To ensure participant safety we have contacted the police to request their support and they have ensured us that they will some a couple of policeman to assist us. We will stay in contact with them to discuss how best to proceed and ensure that it is absolutely safe.
APPS will be held at the Long Beach Garden Hotel in Pattaya (15 minutes out of central Pattaya) and LIT will be held at Burapha University in Chonburi. Chonburi isn’t a tourist hotspot and the hotel itself is a bit isolated from the main part of Pattaya and is likely to be safe.
Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang International Airports aren’t close to Central Bangkok and don’t pass through the location of the bombings when travelling to APPS and therefore are likely to be safe routes.
Other locations we will be attending during APPS include:
Unison Laboratories, Chachoengsao province
Samam Rattanaram Temple, Chachoengsao province
Sothorn Temple, Chachoengsao province
Naja Shrine, Chonburi province
D-Pharmacy, Chonburi province
Koh Loei, Chonburi province
Viewpoint of Pattaya, Chonburi province
Central Pattaya, Chonburi province
Abhaibhubejhr, Prachinburi province
Biolab, Samutprakarn province
Please inform your friends and family so that they can be reassured and understand where you will be.
If the situation is to escalate, we are considering restricting the event to the hotel, cancelling all events to crowded and tourist locations. We will not allow participants to leave the hotel or alternatively require them to register their details, where they are travelling and also contact details.
Participants will always have the option to stay in the hotel if they feel concerned.
For those participants who are currently concerned and are considering cancellation please email the registration team at register.apps2015@gmail.com. According to the APPS policy there is no refund, however considering the exceptional circumstances we are consulting with IPSF to determine what we can do.
For those participants that are currently in Thailand or those arriving early, we are giving the option to go to the Long Beach Garden Hotel before APPS starts, to ensure they have a safe place to stay away from Bangkok and where RC are close by in Pattaya and Chonburi.
The hotel is offering us a price of 2000 Baht for each room, 3 people per room (with 2 breakfasts), it is a special promotion they currently have. To get to the Long Beach Garden Hotel, participants can get a bus from Suvarnabhumi Airport at Level 1, Gate 7 (telephone no. 0844274606) for 250 baht/person. Buses will run every 2 hours, from 8am to 6pm. Each bus can accommodate 40 participants.
For participants landing at Don Mueang Airport, there is a free shuttle to Suvarnabhumi Airport.
We are also investigating accommodation options near the airport to avoid Bangkok and will update you as soon as we have any details.
For participants who have post-symposium plans, we are looking into the possibility of accommodating them into the Pattaya PST, or alternatively the RC will provide recommendations for travel post symposium to ensure your safety.
If there are any concerns or you require assistance please don’t hesitate to email or call the following contacts.
Chairperson of APPS, Thanakrit Sermpong
Tel. 0890889948
E-mail; chairperson.apps2015@gmail.com
Chairperson of APRO, Mian Zhang
Tel. 0628818342
E-mail; chairperson@apro.ipsf.org
President of PSUT (Based in Bangkok – Please reserve for absolute emergency)
Tel. 0841414067
Best Regards and Safe Travels