Are we truly equal?

A few days back, I was doing a field survey at ground level under the MRT Tha-phra station. There, it was a major intersection with wide road and busy traffic. The crosswalk colour was obvious, but not every crossing connected with footpath ramp. Yet the worse is still to come as traffic system provided ‘Left turn on red’, and rarely one would stop for pedestrians to cross safely. This complex intersection was also right under the (elevated) train station so it looked a bit dim, especially at night. In addition, after the station completion, there was a brand-new skywalk, replacing the old one.

So what do you see?

“Skywalk” has STAIRS. It’s perfectly wonderful for healthy abled people. They can go up to cross this busy street safely with a chill, protected by the sunroof, and have a chance to take a nice view down there.

But the same is not true for less-abled people such as the disabled, the elderly, the wheelchair user like myself, the pregnant, or a fatty guy. These folks cannot get up to the skywalk and need to use the normal crosswalk down there, taking their life in their hands, this is too risky.

It might not sound convincing to you. I know and truly understand. But I’m certainly sure that you would feel by heart when one day you, or your loved one, experience some kinds of less-abled conditions or have to sit on a wheelchair your entire life, like me.

Please share this real-life story. It is happening now and it’s going on.
But YOU can stop it and change this city for the better, for a more equitable society!

THANKS!