Issues & Problems

The accessible parking is one of the basic rights that is frequently violated by normal people. It also can indicate the quality of life of the PWDs in the particular society. Everyone should be reminded of the social consciousness and responsibility as they reside in the society. A lack of it is the root cause of so many social problems, as we’ve seen.

Bangsaen beach, Thailand: I was waiting patiently for this car’s owner. Not too long, a young girl walk back to get something in the car. I asked nicely, “Hello, is there any disabled people or someone in special need that really have to use this accessible parking?” She replied, “Nope.”

การเลือกอุปกรณ์เพื่อทดแทนสิ่งอำนวยความสะดวกพื้นฐาน (ตามกฏหมาย) ต้องละเอียดอ่อนและต้องระมัดระวัง ต้องมองผลกระทบรอบด้าน ต้องเป็นอุปกรณ์ที่ใช้งานได้โดยสะดวกและปลอดภัยใช้ได้กับคนหมู่มาก และที่สำคัญที่สุดต้องส่งเสริมให้ทุกคนมีความเป็นอิสระในการดำเนินชีวิตได้ด้วยตัวเอง ลิฟท์เกาะราวบันได ถูกเลือกใช้เพียงเพราะ ถูกและติดตั้งง่าย แต่ผลคือใช้ได้เพียงบางคน และที่สำคัญอัตรายถึงชีวิต คนพิการเองก็ต้องระมัดระวัง มองรอบด้านให้มากที่สุดนะครับ

20 September 2019   Subject: Requesting to dismiss the stairlift, and asking to conduct a field survey regarding accessible facilities Dear Samyan Mitrtown’s Management Team Since its grand opening today, I have acknowledged the application of stairlift at the underground passage which connects between the mall and MRT Samyan station. First of all, I would like to express my appreciation for your attempt to provide accessible facilities for people with disabilities. However, the stairlift device is, in fact, inappropriate and fatally dangerous in many ways. Thus, I would like to request as the followings:

We previously issued an open letter to Lactasoy in regard to the misuse of priority parking by one of its driver. And in just a matter of hours, Lactasoy promptly replied us with a very clear and precise argument. I have attached the file so you can review it. In a nutshell it states that “On behalf of the company, the incident is utterly unacceptable and is considered a serious lack of responsibility, conducted by a personal judgment. The company has examined the involved driver and decided to make a punishment, and put the driver on probation. Nevertheless, the company …

<On Editing> Anyone who is a regular user of public transports, whether BTS, MRT, or BRT, you might often recognise a mechanical device equipped beside the staircase. That device is called “stairlift,” or “platform lift.” The purpose of this device serves as a substitution of an elevator. It’s much easier for installation and less costly to facilitate people with disabilities. I first saw the use of stairlift in practice when I travelled in Japan. I later encountered it in Singapore and then realised that it is in use in many countries. “Hey, they provided it for you. Just getting access …

20 September 2019 Subject : The abuse of Lactasoy’s mini cargo truck on priority parking Dear Lactasoy Co., Ltd. On September 19, 2019, at 12:32 p.m., this mini cargo truck, which belongs to your company, have illegally parked on priority parking at Airport Rail Link’s Hua Mak Station, as evident on the video clip below.

I was waiting there patiently until the car owner’s back. I greeted her and asked politely, “Mam, you park your car on top of the line, making it harder for PWDs getting in and off.” She’s still a decent lady, her hands were up to pay respect to me and apologized for what she did. Many of our social problems begin by an act of ignorance and neglecting tiny, yet impactful, things like this. It gradually spoils this careless behavior until it inflicts as part of our culture. Thus, this initially-tiny social problem expands to become a national issue. I …

It’s been so long that I quite convincing myself to get inside a places with difficult access, just because I feel quite annoyed by being helped. I just didn’t want to bother other people and be lifted like an object. So I always ended up giving a pass and just waited outside.

An incoming call from an unknown number striking my phone on the table nearby. “Hello, is that Mr. Saba?”, asked a caller. “Yes, it’s me. Whom am I speaking with?”, I responded back to an unknown number. “Well, I came across to watch your video about a stairlift. I think it’s really good and I’d like to ask more for your opinions…” The caller stated his want and unveiled that he’s a manager at the Stock Exchange of Thailand Building. The place was currently trying to upgrade accessible facilities and also looking for suitable stairlift options.