Every year on Dec 3 we mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), an opportunity to highlight the challenges people with disabilities face in their everyday life and the services and efforts government and other partners need to make to ensure their meaningful inclusion. Because it is critical to realise that disability inclusion is essential to upholding human rights, which is central and a pre-condition towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its principle of leaving no one behind.

November 22nd, 2021 In cooperation with Accelerator Lab, UNDP Thailand, “Bangkok Accessibility Journey” project finally took place yesterday. It was an honor to have Mr. Jyri Järviaho, the Finnish Ambassador to Thailand and Cambodia, along with Mr. Renaud Meyer, UNDP Resident Representative to Thailand.

28 October 2021 In the morning, I was honored to join the opening announcement of the gentrification of the Chong Non Si River held in Sathorn, the financial district of Bangkok. I went there on behalf of the Disabilities Thailand, a people with disability, a representative of T4A, and the Accessibility Is Freedom organization. After lunch we rushed to see firsthand the renovation of toilets inside the Airport Rail Link (ARL).

10 August 2021 We had the opportunity to welcome the Deputy Governor in the stability department of Nong Bua Lamphu Colonel Phuttiwat Siripong. This is a part of his job is to visit the people, and our network in the local area heard that I was staying at Punsook Farmily, so they organized a meeting for us.

I have gotten 2 shots of the vaccines (Sn+Az). Recently, I found out that many people are being called to get A THIRD SHOT!. We all knew, the third shot is only for healthcare workers and people who are in the front line facing the Coronavirus.

In Thailand, the number of people who are infected with COVID-19 is still not decreasing and the healthcare workers in hospitals right now are almost overloaded. One of the main problems that I encountered is that people around me once they realize they are risky, they do not quarantine themselves and do not report their risks. They still travel and continue their life normally until they finally get tested and know the result. Consequently, the risk of getting infected is really high, especially for people who are around these individuals.

Yesterday, I went to Villa Market at Paradise Park. I saw three foreign girls picking out things to buy and talking passionately. One of them pulled her mask down under her chin. I waited reluctantly for a while because I needed to get something from that area. The girls continued their conversation and didn’t seem like they were going to move any time soon, so I moved closer and decided to speak.

If I see someone walk with NO MASK on the public space please together give a hand report to the authority https://www.facebook.com/informationcovid19 – – – – – Covid19 Regulation  (Thai & English) : https://www.krisdika.go.th/regulation – The latest announcement: https://www.facebook.com/106036604348006/posts/325733792378285/ x

In one of my recent fieldworks, I mentioned to the (city development) team the issues with crosswalk that tarnishes and wears out quickly. Most likely from all the pollutants such as dust and dirt. The amount of traffic and the multiple ongoing construction projects are the likely culprit. So I asked them if they could do something about it and keep the crosswalk clean.

Lessons and learn from the city development project at Asoke intersection. As part of working team, today I’m going to share with you the physical gentrification at Asoke intersection.

30 Dec 2020 Site visited at Asok intersection and here are pictures updated. Check out detail on this link: https://www.accessibilityisfreedom.org/en/asoke-intersection-soon-welcome-people-for-all-with-unprecedented-convenience-safety-and-equality/

9 January 2021 “Accessibility Is Freedom” and “Infrastructure Thailand”, as civilian participants, joined with Bangkok Metropolitan Administrator (BMA) spearheaded by its young and visionary spokesman, Khun Earth (Mr. Pongsakorn Kwanmuang). We explored by foots throughout the vibrant Asoke Intersection, the heart and busiest part of this area. The agenda was how to design streets so that people of all ages and physical conditions could make a perfectly safe and convenient crossing. Asoke Intersection has been a place of our movements for many times. So we quite have an insights and practical recommendations to share. Detail what we’ve done plan:

A quick recap and an urgent call for improvement to make the new electric-boat service on Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem accessible to all: 1. Footpath >> needs to be widened and to have curb ramps to comply with standards. Obstructions such as poles should be relocated. Connectivity with other transportation modes and to/from major locations needs to be looked at. Park and ride facilities are recommended.

I have been to Japan twice. One of the amazing things I noticed was that their rivers and canals were clean —I repeat, very clean! I remember waiting on one side of Kawaguchiko Lake to take a photo of Mt.Fuji and seeing waste water running into the lake through gutters from various places, but the water was visibly CLEAR. In many traveling attractions, they even kept fish —- you could see them swimming!!!

  Your Excellency the Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Subject: Promoting Three Whale Rock as a Major Tourist Attraction and Landmark   I have seen numerous delightful posts and Facebook feeds from friends following their visits to Three Whale Rock. I have seen the rock formation for the first time recently and what I saw resonates with the words I repeat over and over again about Thailand so precisely. We have so much to offer. Thailand has many tourist attraction wonders but we are somewhat reluctant to fully appreciate what we have and we are seemingly too tardy to give …

9 November 2020 The survey was led by the deputy director of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Department of Public Works and joined by relevant agencies and organisations including Accessibility Is Freedom, T4A, FD and Bangkok Bus Club. We examined a distance of 1Km of footpath between Rama IX and Thiam Ruam Mit intersections. Issues found are common for Bangkok footpaths,

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.

This is my first ever visit to Bang Pho district by using public transportation. To optimise the occasion, I headed for Bang Pho Pier to see what changes have taken place since my last long time. Back then, accessing and using the pier in a wheelchair was simply a struggle. My first impression of the same pier this time? JUST WOW!!, I happily rate accessibility improvements seen as highly satisfactory with one recommendation for further work:

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:

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!😱