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To celebrate the 76th birthday anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Botanic Garden Organization in cooperation with the Committee of Firefly in Thailand Project under HM Queen Sirikit’s Initiative is organizing an International Symposium on Diversity and Conservation of Fireflies. HM Queen Sirikit has contributed tremendously towards natural resources and environmental conservation in the country. The Project on Study of Firefly in Thailand, started in 1997, is one good example revealing HM the Queen’s interests and initiatives.
The Project has demonstrated a great number of fireflies and their distribution throughout the country. However, information on species identification remains scattered, and conservation of fireflies and their habitats is a true challenge.
It is expected that this symposium will be the assembly of an international group of experts to share research results which will hopefully lead to useful recommendations for policies or practices toward conservation of fireflies and their habitats. Moreover, the symposium will be a venue for individuals who are involved in firefly studies and research to form a network at the regional and international level.
Objectives:
♣ To celebrate the 76th birthday anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit
♣ To assemble an international group of firefly experts for information sharing and discussion
♣ To promote research on firefly studies which lead to conservation effectiveness
♣ To develop a Firefly Network at regional and international level
Language: The official language of the Symposium is English.
Venue: The Botanic Resort, Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, Mae Rim, Chiang Mai.
Website: http://www.botanicchiangmai.com
Registration fee: 100 USD (We also accept Thai baht)
Inclusive of
♣ Accommodation during the symposium (26 - 28 Aug 08)
♣ Coffee Breaks and meals during the symposium
♣ Transportation between Chiang Mai International Airport and Botanic Resort, QSBG
♣ Materials for the symposium
Student registration fee: 500 THB (covers only admission to the techical sessions, coffec breaks, and lunches)
Accommodation:
Located directly across from Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, the Botanic Resort offers 60 deluxe rooms furnished in a blend of modern Thai designs, equipped with a large free-form outdoor swimming pool.
Deadlines:
20 June 2008 |
for pre-registration to attend the Symposium |
30 June 2008 |
for submission of abstract |
31 July 2008 |
for submission of full paper |
8 Aug 2008 |
for registration (Symposium and Excursion) |
Equipment: Overhead, LCD, and slide projectors will be available.
Thai Visa: http://www.thaiembdc.org/forms/visa.pdf
Currency and rate of exchange: Bank of Thailand
Arrival/Departure:
Suggested arrival dates in Chiang Mai: Sunday 24 or Monday 25 August 2008
Important notes on Airports and Airlines: Most airlines operate their International flights via the Suvarnabhumi International Airport (Code: BKK). While the Thai Airways (TG) operates its domestic flights via both Suvarnabhumi International Airport, and the Don Mueng International Airport (Code: DMK). China Airlines, and Silk Air have direct flights to Chiang Mai International Airport (Code: CNX), from Taipei and Singapore, respectively.
Arrival in Chiang Mai: Staff with workshop banners will be present in the arrival exit area. Transportation from Chiang Mai International Airport to the Botanic Resort, Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden will be provided.
Pick-up schedules are as follows:
Pick-up Time |
For Thai Airways Flights
From Don Mueng ( DMK) |
For Thai Airways Flights
From Suvarnabhumi (BKK) |
09:00 a.m. |
TG 1106 |
TG 102 |
12:00 a.m. |
- |
TG 104 |
14:00 p.m. |
- |
TG 616 and TG 110 |
16:30 p.m. |
TG 1116 |
TG 114 |
18:30 p.m. |
- |
TG 116 |
20:30 p.m. |
- |
TG 126 |
23:00 p.m. |
TG 1124 |
- |
Note: Should you miss the arranged transport, taxis are available at the airport. The taxi fare to Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden is around 700 baht.
* Important Note: Overseas participants, who will participate in the excursion at Samut Songkram on 29th August, please take a careful look at our suggestion on the flight number for the return domestic ticket here below.
Departure from Chiang Mai:
Since the excursion to see mangroves fireflies in Samut Songkram requires traveling from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, overseas participants are recommended to have their return flight (domestic) to the Suvarnabhumi International Airport arranged to be on Friday 29 August 2008 with Thai Airways flight TG 103 (depart CNX at 09:45 a.m.).
For participants who fly directly to Chiang Mai from Taiwan or Singapore, if you would like to join the excursion in Samut Songkram, please buy a roundtrip domestic flight with the arrival date in Bangkok to be on Friday 29 August 2008 with Thai Airways flight TG 103 (depart CNX at 09:45 a.m.). And arrange for the return date to Chiang Mai as you wish.
After the excursion, transportation will be provided to KU Home (Kasetsart University Hotel) for participants who stay overnight in Bangkok.
For those who have connecting flights back home from Suvarnabhumi International Airport on Saturday 30 August, or Sunday 31 August, transportation from KU Home to the Suvarnabhumi International Airport will be arranged free of charge.
| Monday 25 August 2008: |
Tour of Doi Suthep Temple, and shopping at Chiang Mai Night Bazaar. |
| 09:00 a.m. |
Leaving the Botanic Resort by rented vans. |
| Fee: |
200 THB person for transportation cost. |
| Early Registration and Poster Preparation: 10:00-17:00 h, Monday 25 Aug in the hotel lobby. |
Tuesday 26 Aug 2008 |
| Morning (Day 1) |
08:00-09:00 |
Registration in front of conference room |
09:00-09:30 |
Welcoming address: Dr Weerachai NANAKORN, BGO Director
Report to Chairperson: Secretary, Royal Initiative Commettee on the Study of Fireflies in Thailand
Opening address: Minister of Natural Resources and Environment
Photo Session
|
9:30-10:00 |
Tea/Coffee Break, Press Interview |
Session I |
Diversity of Species and Habitats |
10:00-10:30 |
Reminiscence of Firefly Study in Thailand: Dr Banpot NAPOMPETH (Member, Royal Initiative Committee on the Study of Firefly in Thailand) |
10:30-11:00 |
Species diversity of fireflies in Southern Province Sri Lanka: Dr Chitra BOGAHAWATTE (University of Ruhuna Matara, Sri Lanka) |
11:00-11:30 |
Firefly Diversity in Payao Province: Ms.Warakorn PINKANTAYONG (Naresuan University, Payao Campus, Thailand) |
| 11:30-12:00 |
Environmental impacts on the Seasonal Abundance of Lampyrids in Southern Sri Lanka: Dr Hemantha WEGIRIYA (U of Ruhuna Matara, Sri Lanka) |
12:00-12:30 |
Luciola aquatilis , a new species of aquatic firefly from Thailand: Dr Anchana TANCHAREN (Kasetsart University, Thailand) |
12:30-13:30 |
Lunch |
Afternoon (Day 1)
Session II: |
Taxonomic and Phylogenetic Studies |
13:30-14:00 |
A comprehensive phylogeny and systematics of Lampyridae: Dr Ming-Luen JENG (University of Kansas, USA). |
14:00-14:30 |
Embryo genesis of firefly-phylogenetic implication: Dr Hirobumi SUZUKI (Olympus Corporation, Japan) |
14:30-15:00 |
Using firefly fossils to date the origin of bioluminescence in the family Lampyridae: Dr Marc BRANHAM (University of Florida, USA) |
15:00-15:30 |
TBA : Mr Adam SOUTH (Tufts University, MA, USA) |
15:30-17:00 |
Tea/Coffee Break, Poster session/discussion |
18:30-21:00 |
Reception dinner at Botanic Resort |
Wednesday 27 Aug 2008 |
| Morning (Day 2) |
Session III: |
Biology and Behavior |
08:30-09:00 |
The Role of Nuptial Gifts in North American Photinus Fireflies: Dr Sara LEWIS (Tufts University, USA) |
9:00-9:30 |
Sexual selection, allometry and courtship in fireflies: Dr Fredric VENCL
(Stony Brook University and Smithsonian Institution) |
9:30-10:00 |
Patterns of flash signal preference in North American Photinus and Photuris fireflies and their implications for natural and sexual selection: Dr Cratsley CHRISTOPHER (Fitchburg State College, USA) |
10:00-10:30 |
Tea/Coffee Break |
10:30-11:00 |
Defensive behavior of aquatic firefly Luciola leii : Assoc Prof Xinhua FU (Huazhong Agricultural University, People Republic of China) |
11:00-11:30 |
The Mating Behavior of Black-winged Firefly, Luciola cerata Olivier (Lampyridae: Coleoptera): Mr Chiahsiung WU (National Taiwan University, Taiwan) |
11:30-12:00 |
TBA : Mr René SPIERLING (University of Oldenburg, Germany) |
12:00-13:00 |
Lunch |
Afternoon (Day 2)
13:00-13:30 |
Rearing of some terrestrial fireflyspecies: Mr Wirat SOMMITR (Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, Thailand) |
13:30-14:00 |
A new rearing method and self-designed apparatus for pupation in aquatic firefly, Luciola ficta: Dr Jen-Zon HO (Taiwan Endemic Species Research Institute, Taiwan) |
14:00-14:30 |
TBA : |
14:30-15:00 |
Tea/Coffee Break |
15:00-17:00 |
Tour of QSBG and Entomology Lab |
17:30-18:30 |
Dinner |
18:30-21:00 |
Firefly Excursion in the Garden |
Thursday 28 Aug 2008 |
| Morning (Day 3) |
Session IV: |
Tourism and Conservation |
08:30-09:00 |
The Synchronous firefly ( Photinus carolinus ) of the Great Smoky
Mountains National Park: Ms Lynn Frierson FAUST (Firefly Enthusiast, USA) |
9:00-9:30 |
Firefly conservation and awareness in Malaysia: An NGO perspective: Mr Sonny WONG (Malaysia) |
9:30-10:00 |
How fireflies in the arts can save natural fireflies: Cooperation between artists, naturalists and environmentalists in the Swiss Glowworm Project: Mr Stefan INEICHEN (Glowworm Project, Switzerland) |
10:00-10:30 |
Tea/Coffee Break |
10:30-11:00 |
Local community participationin ecotourism and conservation of fireflies at Kloong-Chantaburi: Mr Sommai SABHAKOON (Mangrove Research Station, Chantaburi, Thailand) |
11:00-11:30 |
Conservation efforts for the synchronous fireflies of Selangor River in Malaysia: Ms Nada BADRUDDIN (Forest Research Institute Malaysia) |
11:30-12:00 |
Introduction of the excursion site (Samut Songkram) and its diversity of firefly: Ms Sommai CHOENRAM (Committee Member, Firefly in Thailand Project under HM the Queen Initiatives) |
12:00-13:00 |
Lunch |
Afternoon (Day 3)
13:00-16:00 |
Second Firefly International Network Meeting
In association with: Parque Biologico de Gaia (PBG), Porto, Portugal
and the Belgian Firefly Survey (www.fireflies.tk) |
17:00 |
Closing |
18:00-21:00 |
City Tour (200 THB/person for transportation fee) |
Excursion: Samut Songkhram Province to see mangroves fireflies
Excursion fee:
Option 1: 100 USD (1 nights in Samut Songkhram)
Option 2: 150 USD (2 nights in Samut Songkhram + 1 night in Bangkok)
Inclusive of
♥ Accommodation during the excursion
♥ Meals
♥ Transportation (by bus and boat during excursion)
Not including
♥ Domestic Airfare (Chiang Mai-Bangkok)
Friday 29 Aug 2008 |
Program |
07:30 |
Leave QSBG for Chiang Mai International Airport |
09:45 |
Depart Chiang Mai by TG 103 for Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) |
11:30 |
Picked-up at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) |
13:00-14:00 |
Lunch on the way. Arrive at Samut Songkram, check in at the accommodation |
18:00-21:00 |
Dinner at the local village. Excursion by paddle boats along the river |
|
Overnight in Samut Songkhram |
Saturday 30 Aug 2008 |
|
06:00-08:00 |
Morning Floating Market |
09:00-10:00 |
Visit the local chinaware factory |
| 10:00-16:30 |
Return to Bangkok and sightseeing along the route.
Lunch on the way
Arrive at Suvarnabhumi International Airport at 16:30 h (optional)
Arrvie at KU Home at 18:00 h |
| Overnight in Bangkok at KU Home (option 2) |
Sunday 31 August 2008
13:00 |
Departure of Participants. Transportation will be arranged free of charge for the Suvarnabhumi International Airport at 13:00 h. |
Weather : August is in the rainy season in Thailand. During the rainy season, the maximum temperature in Chiang Mai is over 30o C. For Bangkok and its vicinity such as Samut Songkhram (the excursion site), August is a fine month and has less rain than in the North.
Thai Meteorological Department: http://www.tmd.go.th
Payment : For International Bank Transfer option. please see the information as follows:
Bank Name (Beneficiary's Bank) |
Krunk Thai Bank |
Branch |
Mae Rim |
Bank Address |
Krung Thai Bank Public Company Limited
Mae Rim, Chiang Mai 50180
THAILAND |
Beneficiary's Account No. |
515 - 0 - 05829 - 7 |
Beneficiary's Name |
The Royal Initiative Project on the Study of Fireflies in Thailand |
SWIFT Code |
KRTHTHBK |
Routing |
021000018 |
Please email the receipt to vessabutr@yahoo.com, or present the receipt on the Opening Day to receive Symposium materials.
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