Venue

The City of Bangkok (http://www.bangkoktourist.com), where the conference will be held, has been named “World’s Best City 2008” by the Travel + Leisure magazine. It also recently won the “2007 Best City in Asia” for the seventh year in a row in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.

This capital city of Thailand is beautifully located on the banks of Chao Phraya River of the Southeast Asian Peninsula.  It is well connected globally by all major international airlines through its new Suvarnabhumi International Airport.  Bangkok is also referred to as “Venice of the East” due to the presence of its interconnected canals and water ways within the city.  The climate in Bangkok during October and January is pleasant with average day time temperature of about 30 degrees Celsius. Bangkok with a rich cultural history and special attention to tourism has a number of tourist destinations, including Grand Palace, Wat Pra Kaeo Temple and National Museum in Phra Nakhon district, Vimanmek - world larget teak mansion, Chakri Mahaprasat Throne Hall, Temple of Dawn and Wat Pho Temple along the Chao Phraya River, Chatuchak - world largest weekend market and floating market, to name a few.

Bangkok has everything to offer to different types of visitors, from its modern infrastructure and world-renowned hospitality and service, to rich culture and to-die-for cuisine. Bangkok is very well connected by road, rail and airlines with the rest of Thailand.  Bangkok would be an excellent base for visiting other world famous destinations such as Pattaya beach, Phuket island - Pearl of the Andaman Sea, and Chiang Mai - the ancient city of northern Thailand among others.

The ICPE 2009 will take place at the Sofitel Centara Grand Bangkok & Bangkok Convention Centre (http://www.centralhotelsresorts.com/bangkok_hotels.asp)located in a new urban business and development district near the city center and attractions, conveniently situated adjoining to the expressway just 40 minutes from the International airport and 15 minutes from the center of Bangkok.

The hotel offers over 600 tastefully furnished rooms and suites with panoramic views of lush greenery from the adjacent Chatuchak Park, as well as Bangkok's spectacular skyline. This is the only self-contained complex in the "City of Angels" which comprises the Bangkok Convention Center, Central Department Store and Central Plaza Mall with over 150 specialty shops, boutiques, and multiple cinemas combined with ample parking facilities, all under one roof.

Delegate Tours

Full registration fee entitle the participants to enjoy a full day delegate tour. Due to a large number of participants, the excursions will be arranged into few different routes to suite different travel preferences. Most excursions include a tour around the capital city. The visited places would include (but not limited to) the attractions listed below. The detail of each route will be given in the website as soon as they are confirmed. Participants will be able to enroll for preferred route during the on-line registration.

Royal Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha Temple

This city landmark should be the first place on any itinerary, which features some of the most spectacular architecture in South East Asia. The palace was constructed in 1782. It is consisting of several buildings with highly decorated architectural designs. Though no longer the royal residence, it remains the symbol of the Kingdom. Participants would visit the key attractions around the Grand Palace including Wat Phra Kaew - Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Royal Pantheon, Coronation Throne Hall, Royal Reception Hall, and Royal Funeral Hall.

Temple of the Golden Buddha, Reclining Buddha and Marble Temple

The 3 most distinguished temples in Bangkok are “Wat Trimit” the temple of the Golden Buddha – the statue of Buddha is made from solid gold weighing 5.5 tons, “Wat Pho” the temple of the Reclining Buddha – the largest and oldest in Bangkok and “ Wat Benchamabopit” the Marble Temple – representing an outstanding success of combination between Italian marble and classical Thai architecture.

Bangkok Canal Tour

A boat along the legendary Chao Phraya River and some canals on the Thon Buri side is the most pleasant way to explore the city once named “Venice of the East”. The majestic charm of the Chao Phraya adds perspectives to participants’ exploration of the city’s premier attractions. At Floating Market, participants will see the images of people young and old paddling boats laden with fruits, vegetables and other produce. This is the only picture of a way of life in the past which is now diminishing.

Museum Treasures

National Museum of Bangkok is one of the largest and most comprehensive museums in Southeast Asia. The National Museum houses thousands of artifacts ranging from Neolithic time to present Bangkok period. The complex, also began in 1782, consists of several old but beautiful buildings of colorful Thai architectural designs. At the National Museum of the Royal Barges, participants will be able to see the Barges which were used only by the King and the Royal family when they traveled. The ceremony of Royal travel by water has been a tradition since the Ayuttaya period.

Cultural Visit

Enjoy the unique and unforgettable experience of the world-renowned Thai Village Cultural Show. Over 150 performers vividly portray a fascinating Thai culture, heritage and way of life in dances, ceremonies, rituals, sports and pastimes. The 60-minute actionpacked show highlights include the following.           Thai Martial Arts: Thai-style boxing is extremely popular in Thailand. Accompanied by its unique ritual and ceremony, it is an art that demands a high degree of skill and fitness. The boxers dance around with great agility and are permitted to use - elbows, hands, feet, knees. In fact, just about any part of their supple and well-sculpted physique. Sword fighting: A traditional and historical form of combat for both male and female warriors dated back over 600 years.           Thai Wedding Ceremony: Witness a traditional Thai wedding ceremony performed according to ancient Thai customs. It is a ceremony of pageantry, joy and splendor with all the participating friends and relatives of the newly-weds.

Elephants and Crocodiles Shows (Subject to extra charges)

Samphran Elephant Ground and Zoo offers spectacular shows of Crocodile Wrestling between man and crocodiles. It has been acclaimed to have one of the cleanest and most impressive public crocodile displays in the world. Participants also have a chance to see an elephant show complete with dramatic sounds and narration. Be entertained by demonstrations of elephants at work, playing football and dancing. See how elephants are rounded up and used during battles in ancient Thai (Siam), where elephants were once used by Siamese and Burmese armies dressed in full battle gear.

Day at the Beach (Subject to extra charges)

Take a day trip to Pattaya beach, now a world-renowned seaside resort on the eastern shore of the gulf of Thailand. Pattaya is 147 kilometers southest of Bangkok about one and a half hour drive. It is Asia's premier beach, miles upon miles of dazzling white sand and bright blue sea. Pattaya is scuba diving training center, and there is a rich variety of marine life and coral. Major attractions include viewing coral reef from glass bottom boat, snorkeling, scuba diving, wind-surfing, para-sailing, jet-skiing, swimming, sunbathing, etc.

The participants can also enjoy combinations of the above excursions and more by choosing from a set of pre- and post-conference tours details of which to be released later.