Issues & Problems

There is a rule of thumb on the use of sidewalk and the Governor of Bangkok is trying to implement the law enforcement toward those wrongdoers. The misuse of sidewalk has become a hazardous social problem as we can always see from the mainstream and in real life such as riding a motorcycle on the sidewalk. Seen from higher perspective, this selfish and undisciplined behavior of the driver reflects a problematic system, not just individual level.

08/22/2018 10:00pm Bangkok, Thailand. I visited FoodLand Sri-na-ka-rin for my late dinner sawing this black car already parked on a priority parking. I asked to check CCTV whether if the driver is eligible, after clearly proved, I waited patiently at the exit.

Yesterday, we had a chance to show those international reporters both the MRT and BTS stations. I started our conversations with “I am concerned about Thailand’s big picture” and gave a scenario “Mr. Sam who is in a wheelchair and came to Thailand and faced several inconveniences due to the lack of facilities for disabled people. What impressions would he convey back home, about Thailand?” We started our journey from Su-wan-na-phum Thailand International Airport by taking the ARL, then the MRT and finished the journey at A-sok Train Station which is in Bangkok’s Central Business District.

28 May 2018 As a chairman, on behalf of Rail System / Transportation For All (T4A) leading by Mr. Theerayuth, to discuss on accessibility problems and plausible solutions regarding the extension of BTS Green Line (Bearing – Sa-mut Pra-karn). Mr. Jeerasak Sripamma, Deputy Director of Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, was the guest of honor who performed as a chairman. The meeting involved other relevant parties as well.

9 May 2018 A group of PWDs activist, Transportation For All (T4A), is gathering with other groups of PWDs networks to proceed prosecuting Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) for failure to completely install all BTS elevators and infrastructure. This inability to comply is against the order from the Supreme Court which had issued the mandate previously. The group also claimed that the incidence has terribly costed the estimated damage of 1,436 million Baht.

Days ago, I visited a shopping mall and got to see this car parking on a priority parking with the obviously healthy driver. I then went to question the driver to ensure that he’s eligible. As you later can see on the video, he did a very good job on lying to me before getting in the mall. But at the moment I had no proof. With curiosity and a sense of something gone wrong, I insisted to wait there until eventually the driver returned. I rushed to him and tried to have a conversation about why he did that. …

PWDs Sue Against City Hall Transportation For All (T4A), Disabilities Thailand, and Person with disabilities (PWDs) networks will, once again, make a gathering marching to sue against the Bangkok City Hall  and demand for reasonable compensations from their failure to meet the Administrative Court’s order to install newly elevators and accessible facilities at all the original 23 BTS stations, giving it one year implementation and it is now three years passed. At Administrative Court, Chang-Wat-ta-na road.

The image was taken last night while I was returning to my car. Sadly, we all might get used to this kind of incident. I’m just speechless to say anything. Let alone the image itself explains Thai society. This problem is prevalent all from the top level to the bottom line. It always makes me feel depressed and hopeless. Anyway, the depressing and sense of giving up don’t make anything better, only action does. Stand up once again and let’s get things better by ourselves. That’s what we can do.

“Hey, I know you. The one who smashed the elevator. WELL DONE!”

Section 15: “Determination of policies, rules, regulations, measures, projects or practices of the governmental agencies, private entities or individuals that cause discrimination or injustice on persons with disabilities shall be prohibited.” —Empowerment of Persons With Disabilities Act, 2007