Dear ICCE 2011 participants,

    As the recently extensive international news coverage on Thailand flood situation might concern some ICCE2011 participants, I would like to take this opportunity to restate and explain the situation regarding ICCE2011 Conference site - Chiang Mai, Thailand.

    First of all, Chiang Mai city is situated at an elevation of 310 meters (approximation 1000 feet) and *700 km* north of Bangkok. Chiang Mai is clear from the currently reported flooding problem.

    Additionally, ICCE2011 local organizers have confirmed with the staff members at Meridien Hotel, the ICCE2011 Conference venue and several other hotels in Chiang Mai area that the city is still filled with crowded tourists at the present time. As such, those of you who plan to fly in directly to Chiang Mai should expect no problems arisen from the reported flood (Note: there are some countries that you can find direct flights to Chiang Mai, such as Kuala lumper, Singapore, Soeul, Taipei. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiang_Mai_International_Airport).

    Furthermore, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) have confirmed that all airports in Thailand, including Suvarnabhumi Airport (the Bangkok international airport), have not been affected by the floods and are operating normally as usual. With advanced flood-prevention measures, extensive water management, flood prevention and drainage system in place at Suvarnabhumi Airport (for detail, see https://www.bangkokairportonline.com/node/200), disruption in airport operation is unlikely.

    I hope that with the above additional and updated report on Chiang Mai, your concerns and unsettled feelings can be eliminated.

    Hope to see you all soon in Chiang Mai where great fun and sight-seeing spots are abound.

Best regards

ICCE 2011 Local Organizers