Public Transportation

Bangkok, Thailand: The first minute meeting between me and T4A, Traffic and Transportation Department (of Bangkok Government), BTS and related organisations (since 03/16/2018)

BTS Sam-rong Station Bangkok, Thailand. BTS Sam-rong station, the metro electric train has just recently opened for service. After 3 years of intensive collaboration a group of activists had provided to authorities who were in charge of this project. I’m going to have a deliberate look on it with firsthand experience. To see whether is there any improved accessibility comparing to the old layout & design.

After the Administrative Court has ordered in one year timeframe of providing of accessible infrastructure on all 23 BTS stations. Three years has passed and the project is still unfinished with numerous spots found inaccessible.

Bangkok, Thailand: Soon after the Administrative Court has issued the order: To completion within a year the installation of elevators and all accessible facilities constructed strictly by law, on all connections from the ground up to the platform floor of the BTS stations.

00:02:00 My today working report 00:08:13 National Stadium BTS station & platform lift survey and story. 00:21:14 Pa-tum-wan the new skywalk, it was built with ‘for everyone concept?’ A quick survey P1, found that some exist we got step down to the road. (Speaking language:Thai, Closed caption:None) Link: https://www.facebook.com/AccessibilityIsFreedom/videos/1565482433474396/

The case could be dated back to 2007 when a group of PWDs sued BTS for their lack of accessibility, by law. Until now that the Supreme Court delivered decision that BTS must successfully and completely provide elevators, and other necessary accessibilities, at its 23 stations within 1 year (due 20 January 2016.) But, BTS failed to make it completely during the timeframe

Accessibility Is Freedom and Transportation For All member (T4A) https://www.facebook.com/Transportation4all/ including Khun Supawat and Khun Sawang whose contributions are astonishing, had a great opportunity to get collaboration in providing useful information about accessibility in Thailand’s public transportations at the event “JICA & DPI African PWDs Training 2017”

As Accessibility Is Freedom, is a member of Transportation For All (T4A https://www.facebook.com/Transportation4all/), has a wonderful opportunity to get involvement in collaboration with DPIAP in a magnificent project called, African Training 2017. Our job is to provide information of Bangkok’s transportation accessibilities. We will work together for two days. Today is the first day and our team took them to have a ride at BTS and MRT, a major sky train and subway system in Bangkok, to test their functionality and accessibility.

Accessible & SafetyWe got a good news from Singapore is testing the stroller restraint on public bus (Link ref : https://goo.gl/35kdPL). I, as a wheelchair user was extremely affected by an impractical layout design on public bus, which had mostly lower safety standard. And thought that this issue should be brought to the front line as one of priority concerns. After my trial abroad on public transportation in countries, I would like to share my opinions:

Please Help MeThis morning, I got a call soon after I woke up. It appeared to be a very hotline asking for help from Jeab, and her team. They were going to Phit-sa-nu-lok for trip by AirAsia airline. One of her team member was an powered wheelchair user. The airline didn’t allow bringing his battery, necessary forpowered wheelchair, on board. So I suggested her to call any other hotlines for help, as possible as they could find, at the very intense moment.