Be part of the change
…
Articles
-
Entertainment venues: Who is responsible for oversight and inspection?
Last night, a fire broke out at a brewery in front of Lat Phrao, killing at least 27 people and injuring over 60. Governor Chadchart confirmed the venue had a valid permit, but fire exits were blocked by merchandise tables. Most victims were found in bathrooms and hallways — exits that were sealed shut. He also said smoke was the primary cause of death. PM Anutin added that many victims fled to the back and hid in the bathroom. This is not the first time. In 2009, the Santika Pub fire killed 67 and injured 222; the venue had no…
-
Personal Assistant Systems for People With Disabilities: What Other Countries Do
I’ve been hearing a lot of discussion about personal assistants (PAs) and seeing different perspectives exchanged. I got curious—what are other countries doing? Sweden’s LSS law, in place since 1993, makes personal assistance a legally enforceable right with full government funding. People with disabilities choose and train their own assistants with no certification required. PA is a recognized occupation with union-negotiated wages around SEK 140-160 per hour (about 500-570 baht). About 16,000 people receive state-funded PA, but budget cuts since 2015 have tightened approvals. Family members can be PAs, though restrictions increased in 2023. Japan has the strictest system. All…
-
Why Doesn’t Japan Have Wrong-Way Driving?
[Japan 🇯🇵] In Thailand, wrong-way driving has become almost normal. We see police chasing them, but they never catch them all. But in Japan, almost no one drives the wrong way — whether car or motorcycle. Why? The answer is serious enforcement with real consequences. Japan takes traffic laws seriously with a graduated penalty system — warnings, on-the-spot fines, license suspension, imprisonment — so no one dares challenge rules. Wrong-way driving on expressways makes this clear: about 200 cases annually (224 in 2023), with 17% leading to accidents. That’s low compared to Thailand, but Japan didn’t wait for numbers to…
-
3 Essential Sidewalk Standards That Are Non-Negotiable
[Good Sidewalk Standards 🚶♿👨🦯🏃] When I step out of my home, the first thing my feet touch is the sidewalk. Many people think sidewalk standards are a distant concept, but really, they’re the first thing that lets everyone travel safely. A sidewalk should meet these minimum requirements: 1️⃣ Width The sidewalk must be wide enough for a wheelchair to pass or for two people to walk past each other without one having to step onto the road or wait for the other to move. 2️⃣ Slope and Surface The sidewalk must have no steps or broken, potholed surfaces that cause…