Issues & Problems

Since the spread of COVID-19, wherever we go we see 99% of the general public wear medical or cloth face masks. This is especially true in public transportation systems like the BTS where reminders for the use of face masks are regularly announced resulting in 100% cooperation. The majority have their face masks on correctly but only a few do not.

Our body is susceptible to change. Nothing guarantees that your health today will stay the same tomorrow. ‘Tomorrow you may become a wheelchair user like me’. Imagine yourself in a wheelchair and come across a difference in floor height of just under two inches. I am sure that would cause you trouble.

(Will be translated asap) 1. กฎกระทรวงกำหนดสิ่งอำนวยความสะดวกในอาคารสำหรับผู้พิการหรือทุพพลภาพ และคนชรา (ฉบับที่ 2) 2564 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FPTHqkYUbHUGekzUYaE7sKkTauQEPtIk/ 2. กฏกระทรวง กำหนดสิ่งอำนวยความสะดวกในอาคาร สำหรับผู้พิการหรือทุพพลภาพ และคนชรา พ.ศ. 2548 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mIwx0j_EL62LIvWFf44JcwQ8NnYOiiaT/

The photo speaks for itself. Rewinding back three years: The MRT Purple Line came into operation. We provided lots of information for service improvements to MRT. One of the issues we reported, and was fixed, was the skywalk from MRT/Bangyai Station leading to the entrance of Central Westgate. Back then, we noticed curved gutter covers that were very much like the ones in the photo. We see the same problem at MRT/Taopoon Station although the station has not been in use for that long either.

This was some of my talk for students that touched me heartfully during my special lecture on Inclusive Design at DBTM, Thammasat University. During the lecture, We did an experiment illustrating that what would it look, and feel, like to be a disabled. All students were required to perform like in a particular kind of disability such as being blinded and being on wheelchair.

Days ago I posted this an image with a sole comment “such a dangerous footpath”. Today I’d like to elaborate a little more. The footpath is located right next to the elevator when you step off the BTS Victory Monument station. It’s on the “hospital side” (opposite The Ideo Q Victory condo) of the road. Though newly built, this footpath shows signs of malfunction and quickly deteriorates as the followings:

26 September 2020 At Victory Monument, I brought these young students to the ground to give an interview about the rights and equality in getting access. I also provided personal advice from my firsthand experiences. These youths, I admitted, were heavily vibrant and full of creativity. What a fantastic day.

In recent days I came back to exercise heavily. That made my body fitter and at the same time, however, I began to feel badly strange every time I breathe. Today when I looked out the window, I saw the sky unclear and heavy smog was clouding. I then checked the AirVisual app and so shocked once again what I found out…it came back!😱

One pothole for accessible parking is that there is yet “legal punishment” to legally penalize the wrongdoers. It just stated ‘who’ is eligible to park on. I always address this issue that if you want to dissolve this problem completely, we must holistically cover it in every aspects; supporting, encouraging, and punishing. I give you one small, obvious example of “No-Smoking-on-public” law.

A fellow friend of mine was recently hit a jackpot by having an (necessary) accident while he was about to step down from ill-built pedestrian cross bridge, making his rib broken severely. The district’s authority soon came to repair it, after the incident went viral. I was even more surprised by the quality of work repair. You can compare the before-and-after image. What an awful, careless job.