It seems like there will be quite a strong Australian presence this year at the World Bamboo Congress in Bangkok, between 16 to 18 September.

If you are going or thinking of going, please use this space to discuss bookings, accomodation, travel itineraries, or anything else concerning the WBC8.

To add your input to this discussion, just reply to this message.

Janne

An option for those planning to go to the congress

Here's a package for $1085 ex Perth to $1215 ex Brisbane. It is valid for departures up to 17 Sept. Looks like it has to be booked by 31 March.

It would suit anyone wanting to go only for the conference - or it is possible (I've checked) to extend the arrival or return date for someone wanting to stay longer. (You can get a 30 day on arrival and extend that by another 5 days or so for a small fee. Longer stays require a visa obtained before departure or a border run to get a new visa on arrival).

The 3 (or 4?) star hotel is in Chinatown which would require travel by metro to the conference centre. I estimate it would be around a 20 minute trip plus some walking at each end. There are stations near Chinatown and the Asok - Sukumvit intersection which is not far from Soi 22.

Actually, further checking indicates that the hotel is around 3k form the metro station near Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong) which would add a 15 to 30 minute or so taxi ride. So it's probably not the best option but a good benchmark for comparing costs. When I checked with Flight Centre about extending beyond 4 days, the woman I spoke with offered to send me more options. I'll post them when they arrive.

More on the hotel here:
www.asiarooms.com/thailand/bangkok/grand...6u-ZgCFZgtpAodWWqHmQ

and the package:
www.flightcentre.com.au/sku/1041795

More on the metro here:
bangkokadvisor.com/Bangkok-Underground-Subway.htm
www.bangkokmetro.co.th/map.aspx?Menu=8&Lang=En

The following is copied from the Flight Centre website:

Grand China Princess Hotel - Bangkok
Set on the Chao Phraya River the city provides plenty to do for weeks but the must dos are within easy reach of most of the city hotels.

INCLUDES Return airfare flying Thai Airways International including prepaid airfare taxes, 4 nights accommodation at the 3-star Grand China Princess Hotel in a Superior Room.
BONUS 1 set menu dinner for 2.
FREE Full breakfast daily.


Travel departing from:
Perth from $1085*
Melbourne from $1195*
Sydney from $1209*
Brisbane from $1215*
Adelaide from $1599*

More on travel/package/accommodation/entertainment options

travel.com.au has fares ex Brisbane starting at:
$992 inclusive with royal Brunei
$1194 Singapore airlines
$1252 Thai international
$1388 if you are want to fly Qantas
Or up to $2482 with Malaysian Airlines (presumably 1st class) if you do not like to do things on the cheap

Here is the only package offer from travel.com.au for departures up to 09 Sept (maybe there will be others coming out later). The hotel is reasonably close to a skytrain station and about 4 stops away from Asok station. It is a 10 minute ride for probably something like 5 to 10 baht on a NO 38 bus.

Indra Regent, Bangkok

stay 4 pay 3 fr.$1259 pp - Ex Brisbane $1386

Please quote deal ref: ASI 11496

Snap up a bargain in Bangkok!

This great value deal includes return flights with THAI and 4 nights accommodation for the price of 3 at the Indra Regent Hotel with breakfast daily and return airport transfers.

But the value doesn't end there! This deal includes a BONUS complimentary Thai dinner and show as well as complimentary late check out to 6pm! Perfect for those late night flights!

Conveniently located on Rajaprarop Road in the heart of bustling downtown Bangkok, Indra Regent Hotel is only a short distance to Bangkok's famous Siam Square entertainment and shopping area, Silom central business district, embassies, and major tourist attractions. At your doorstep is the exotic Pratunam market where you cna pick up some great bargains.

Includes:
Return economy airfare to Bangkok flying THAI
4 nights twin share accommodation for the price of 3 at the Indra Regent Hotel
Breakfast daily
Return seat-in-coach transfers
One complimentary Thai dinner and show
Complimentary late checkout to 6pm
All applicable pre paid taxes and charges

Other accommodation

Good cheap accommodation at around the 1000 Baht mark per night per room (mostly double or twin) is never a problem in BKK or anywhere else in Thailand. Unfortunately the exchange rate is down a lot since I was last there and 1000 Baht is around $44 rather than $33

directrooms.com/thailand/hotels/bangkok-hotels/price1.htm

I am checking out what is available and will post what I find soon. Or look your self for places listed under Sukhumvit (a major road) near Soi 22 (where the conference is being held) anything from around Soi 4 (Nana Plaza entertainment precinct) to around Soi 30 should be easy walking distance. Incidentally, Soi 21, also called Soi Cowboy, is home to another entertainment precinct a bit more upmarket than Nana Plaza. (For those who haven not been to Thailand, soi is a side street off a main road and for entertainment precinct, read go go/hostess bars.)

Tours

I am a bit concerned about the likely cost of tours organised by the congress (Tour 1 Fee: Approx.USD600. (to be confirmed by the time registration opens) and it is likely to cover places some of us have been to on previous visits. So an Aussie alternative appeals to me.

Anyone got any suggestions on places to visit? Hans is talking about going prior to the conference but I am more inclined to think after would be better. That way we could take up on any offers or ideas that might come out of the conference.

One place I would like to look into is: Khao Yai National Park which I understand has lots of boo and, I think, a bamboo research station/farm nearby.

According to www.amazing-thailand.com/Parks.html
This is the oldest national park in Thailand and one of the best in the world. Khao Yai has large areas of rain forest, an abundance of wild life, and over 500 km of hiking trails. The park is located in the north-east 205km from Bangkok and can be reached by bus or train. Accommodation can be arranged with the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

More info at:

www.eoearth.org/article/Dong_Phayayan_Kh...st_Complex,_Thailand


en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khao_Yai_National_Park
www.thaiforestbooking.com/np_home.asp?lg=2&npid=9


PS I am new to posting to this forum and when I look at a preview of what I have written it looks like it is trying to put %u2019 wherever I have put an inverted comma and a few other silly things as well. I have tried to edit out all of these, but if I have missed any thre may still be some gibberish.

Myself and Jeep will be going to Bangkok for the W.B.C are there any other members from W A going?
We think that the Bamboo Park in Prachinburi would be worth a second look .It is about two hours northeast of Bangkok and near the Khao Yai national park which I hear has lots of bamboo (80 species) also.
It was free to get in and unlike other places has some signs with name in Latin and Thai they reacon they have 50 species and I liked the way they had large blooks of each species they seemed well mantaned and I was told that they used labour from a nearby Prison.
Prachinburi is one of the top shoot growing areas with thasands of acreas or rai,s of shoot plantations. We visited a cannery where they used a frontend loader to move around truck loads of shoots for boiling and processing ready for the can.
We grabed a few new plants that went for about 20bart
80cent each so get you permits before you leave home
see you there Kevin

Flight Centre is now offering the following fares which are similar to those available from travel.com.au which I posted around a week back. Looks like you have to make an enquiry to find out which airline

Melbourne to Bangkok from $845.

Other fares available:
Adelaide from $979
Brisbane from $1036
Cairns from $1269
Darwin from $1069
Perth from $959
Sydney from $879

Inclusions
• Return economy class airfare to Bangkok per person.
• Prepaid taxes.
Travel Dates
• Please contact your travel consultant for details.
Conditions
• Prices & taxes are subject to change without notice and may vary depending on departure date.
• This fare may include Economy, Premium Economy, Business, and/or First class sectors.
• Flights may not be direct or operate daily.
• Flights may include domestic on-line segments.
• Itineraries may require a waiting period between flights.
• Advertised price is per person, based on return airfares and prepaid airfare taxes only.
• Fares do not included checked luggage surcharges.
• Additional levies, government charges & other applicable fees may apply & are beyond our control.
• Additional taxes specific to your flight routing may apply (where airfare is included).
• Further conditions may apply please contact your travel consultant for more information.
More info at:
www.flightcentre.com.au/sku/1033382?WT.mc_id=nl00000981

Re Tours

Good to see someone else posting (Kevin and Jeep) and to see that you think the Bamboo Park in Prachinburi near the Khao Yai national park would be worth a visit (and second look in your case).

Anyone else following this?

Any other suggestions for touring?

Kevin and Jeep

John and I are definitely very keen to go. Are you going to take up the package deal, or are you going to stay on for a bit? We would be very happy to tag along with you guys for a bit if that is possible. Obviously we need to have this all in place by end of March, so need to get moving.

Cheers, Irene and John

Hi John and Irene great to hear you are going I am having great trouble deciding over the northern tour as there seems to be a lot of stuff no about bamboo and thats a lot of money in Thailand .
Being a total bambaphillac I don,t want to see an elephant unless its made of bamboo I want bamboo 24/7 but Jeep tells me they have bamboo at the elephant centre I guess we can talk bamboo through the other touristy stuff so I guess the answer to you question is that I am going to take up the package deal the north tour and stay on for a bit.
It been 9 year since the last bamboo event in Thailand and that was wonderful it will be great as the Thais put it to be part of the bamboo family again.
I guess a day off after the tour then a mini bus or two for a couple of days I think that the more people the better and I am hoping there are others interested
all the best Kevin

we're planning a trip this year, looks like this could help decide the destination

Who is this? I don't know who Beach Bamboo is.

Irene

Kevin and Jeep
This trip to Thailand for the congress is something we want to do, and would also like to go on the tour, or at least go with some other people to visit specific places that have bamboo growing. Have other people from WA contacted you with regards to this? Because Jeep is a local I would love to tag along with you if possible, but without being a drag. There does not seem to be much movement or discussion from other people. Are other people interested in going? Have you registered with the organisers to attend the congress yet?
Irene and John

We don't know who you are either Irene!!!
We are in central QLD. Look in 'profile'

As we haven't been into Bamboo for more than 2 years, we haven't looked at attending a conference yet, but this may be a good one to start with.
So we have to register with the event organisers do we?

It would be a good chance to meet up with fellow enthusiasts.
Dave & Steph

Wanati wrote:
Irene, if you click on the username or on the 'profile' tab you will learn more about the member.

It's great to have a topic that is finally getting us all to start learning how to put this forum to use.

Hi everone we have been waiting for a reply to our question to the offical event coordinator as to when they will have packages of accomodation linked to registration of the WBC we recieved a reply today saying that they were sorry for the late reply that their email address is not related to the congress and that the package is ready and will go up on the site very soon.
they have prefererental rates for delegates at the event site hotel (Imperial Queen Park Bangkok) and will send us the reservation link tomorrow so we are still waiting
will keep you posted Kevin

Hi Dave and Steph great to hear you are thinking of going to WBC and we are looking forward to meeting you in Bangkok. I hadn't been into bamboo for very long when I went to the last one in Chang Mai and I had wonderful time hope to see you there
Kevin and Jeep.