Accommodation:
Because of the university’s location outside of the city of Nakhon Ratchasima, we strongly recommend staying at the university hotel (“Surasammanakhan”). The hotel’s standard rooms feature twin beds, and costs are about US$45.- per night, single or double occupancy.
We have pre-reserved a limited number of rooms at the university hotel at a special rate of 1100 Thai Baht per night (approx. US$ 34.- or Euro €30.-) which must be reserved through the conference registration process and secured by payment of the registration fee no later than the regular registration date of 15. December 2018.
After this date, rooms and room rates cannot be guaranteed.
The following are just a few of the many alternative accommodations that can be booked by participants themselves through online reservation services. Please be aware that travel to and from these hotels to the conference site may be difficult, and we therefore strongly advise to stay at the conference university hotel:
- Thorfun Guesthouse (basic standard, 2.5km distance)
- Sata House Boutique Resort (basic standard, 4km distance)
- Kantary Hotel and Serviced Apartments, Korat (4 stars, downtown, 10km distance)
- Sima Thani Hotel (4 stars, downtown, 10km distance)
Transportation to the conference site:
Bangkok is Thailand’s main port of entry. Its main airport (“Suvarnabhumi”, BKK) is served by major international airlines while its secondary airport (“Don Mueang”, DMK) is served by Asian low cost airlines. January is high season for international travel to Thailand; thus early airline reservation is advised.
Because Bangkok is located only 250km away, there are no scheduled flights to Nakhon Ratchasima. There will be a conference van service from Bangkok’s main airport (BKK) to the conference hotel on Sunday, 13 January at 800 Baht (US$25.-) per seat. Travel time will be about 4 hours. Seats must be reserved ahead of time through the registration process. Tentative departure times from the airport are at 13.00hrs and 17.00hrs, but may change depending on the needs. Considering the time required to travel from the airport to the conference site, it is thus advisable to book a flight that arrives into Bangkok before 16.00hrs on Sunday, 13 January 2019.
Participants arriving at different dates or times will need to make their own travel arrangements:
- Simplest method. Charter a public taxi from the arrival hall (Level 1, see here.) There are official counters outside of the terminal building where one queues up for a taxi. The official fare to Nakhon Ratchasima is about 3,600 baht (US$120.-), and the fare meter will not be used.
- Travel by long distance bus. Take a public taxi as outlined in 1. above to Bangkok’s Northeastern bus terminal (also called Mochit bus terminal - หมอชิตใหม่-กําแพงเพชร 2). The fare meter will be used, the fare should be about 300Baht + airport taxi surcharge of 50Baht + accumulated expressway toll fees of about 100 Baht.
There are 4 bus companies servicing the Bangkok - Nakhon Ratchasima route (bus route 21 to Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) New Bus Station - สถานีขนส่งนครราชสีมาใหม่) at least hourly. As of time of writing, tickets are sold at the following ticket booths inside the Bangkok Northeastern bus terminal building:
- Booths 41, 49 : Ratchasima Tour
- Booth 50 : Suranaree Air
- Booths 52, 53: Air Korat Pattana
- Booth 65 : Nakhonchai 21
Buses of these four companies depart from different platforms on the bus station’s ground floor (this information is subject to change !)
- Platform No. 68 : Nakhonchai 21
- Platforms No. 77, 79 : Air Korat Pattana
- Platform No. 76 : Suranaree Air
- Platforms No 72, 74 : Ratchasima Tour
The bus fare is approximately 200 Baht.
After arriving at Nakhon Ratchasima New Bus Station, charter a taxi to Suranaree University o Technology (มหาวิทยาลัยเทคโนโลยีสุรนารี (มทส.)) The taxi fare is about 300 Baht and needs to be negotiated before boarding as the fare meter will not be used.
Thus, total travel costs should come to about 1000 Baht (32US$)
Return transportation from the conference site to Bangkok airport:
As there is a 24-hour bus service between Nakhon Ratchasima and Bangkok with hourly departures, participants may leave the conference site any time for their return trip. Travel by public transportation from the conference site to Bangkok's airports takes approximately 6 hours. Taking a safety buffer and the necessary check-in time int account, participants should leave the conference site at least 8 hours before plane departure.
Should there be sufficient demand, we may organize a van service to assist with return travel to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi (BKK) airport at a nominal fee. Details will be finalized during the conference.
Currency:
The official Thai currency is the Thai Baht. Approximate exchange rates (subject to change) are as follows:
| 1 US Dollar: | 32 Baht |
| 1 Euro: | 37 Baht |
There are two commercial banks at the conference site providing currency exchange during usual banking hours (8.30-15.30 on weekdays) as well as international ATM services. (There is a local service charge for international ATM withdrawals, in addition to any fee which the foreign bank may charge.) US Dollar and Euro bank notes are easily exchanged at favorable exchange rates, but bank notes of other currencies may receive very unfavorable exchange rates. (See this site for up-to-date exchange rates; local rates may differ) Major credit cards (Visa and MasterCard) are widely accepted in shopping malls, restaurants and hotels, but may possibly not be accepted in food stalls, taxis and long-distance buses.
There are two money exchange booths located in the basement level of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport – near the entrance to the Bangkok Airport Link trains – that provide currency exchange of lesser traded currencies (e.g. Russian Rubles, South African Rand) at relatively advantageous exchange rates during daytime hours. One of these is posting its rates, although airport rates may differ.
About the conference site:
Suranaree University of Technology was founded in 1989 as the first Thai public university under autonomous administration. Located about 20km from the center of the city of Nakhon Ratchasima, it focuses on graduate and undergraduate programs in engineering, medicine and health science, agriculture and the sciences. The campus houses Thailand’s Synchrotron Light Research Institute and the Regional Observatory.
The province of Nakhon Ratchasima with its capital of the same name is located about 250km to the northeast of Bangkok. It is a busy merchant town well connected by road to Bangkok and the country’s main seaports, and thus is the main gateway to the northeast of Thailand. While agriculture and the processing of agricultural products are still the mainstay of its economy, a substantial number of international companies have set up manufacturing facilities in the province during the last two decades. A large area of the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex – A UNESCO World Heritage Site consisting of four national parks and a wildlife reverse – covers the southern part of the province.
Further travel information of interest:
- Climate: The climate during the month of January is dry, sunny and moderately hot. January daytime highs are in the 28C-34C range, while nightly lows are mostly in the 15C-20C range.
- Electricity: Thailand uses 220V/50Hz electrical power. Most power outlets accept 2 and 3-pronged North American type plugs (Types A and B) as well as 2-pronged European type plugs (Types E and F).
- Telephone Service: Prepaid Telephone and Internet SIMs for tourists can be purchased in the arrival halls of the Bangkok airports at low cost (200Baht-400Baht), after passing customs but before leaving the restricted zone. There are three major carriers:
- True Move H (red-colored booth)
- AIS (green-colored booth).
- DTAC (blue-colored booth).
- Wifi Service: Many restaurants, hotels, shopping malls and coffee shops provide Wifi services free of charge. The Wifi password is either printed on the purchase receipt, or will be communicated by a sales clerk.
- Medical Services: Medical service standards in urban areas are good to excellent. The university’s hospital provides 24-hours emergency medical services. While there are no tropical diseases to be wary of in urban areas, it is nevertheless advised to purchase medical travel insurance.
- Local Travel: Long-distance travel within Thailand is most convenient by bus, as there are high-frequency bus routes between all major provincial capitals and district centers at low fares. More recently, the larger provincial capitals have begun to be connected to Bangkok by low-cost airlines. On the other hand, public transportation at the local level tends to be of poor standard and it is better to charter a motorized tricycle (“Tuk-Tuk”) or a taxi.
- Visa Requirements: Nationals from a list 57 countries may enter Thailand visa-free for a period of 14 or 28 days. These include most (but not all !) European and American countries as well as Russia and South Africa. Nationals from another 21 countries may obtain a visa upon arrival at the airport. These include Cyprus, India, Kazakhstan, the People’s Republic of China and Ukraine. See for example Wikipedia for further information.
- Travel to Angkor Wat: We have received inquiries into travel to Angkor Wat in Cambodia. With only a few exceptions, travelers from most countries require a visa to enter Cambodia. This visa can usually be obtained either online, or upon arrival at a border checkpoint or airport. There are several airlines servicing the Bangkok (BKK and DMK airports) to Siam Reap route, which is the city where Angor Wat is located. There is also a bus service from Bangkok’s Mochit bus terminal to Siam Reap (departure at 8.00, travel time about 7 hours). It is possible to travel from Nakhon Ratchasima to Siam Reap by public transport although there is no direct bus service; travel time is 7 hours. Please note that Angkor Wat is extremely popular during the month of January, and one should plan to stay for several days.
How to contact us:
The local conference website http://math.sut.ac.th/conference/ will be updated regularly to reflect the latest developments. For inquiries, or to submit your abstract, please send e-mail to symmetry.2019@gmail.com.
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School of Mathematics |
สาขาวิชาคณิตศาสตร์ |
You may reach us by phone at:
08-6875-6424 (Sergey Meleshko)
08-2379-0375 (Eckart Schulz)
