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Overview of where to go and what to do if you are mobility, sight or hearing impaired - a wheelchair or cane user - and living in or visiting Bangkok. Information on the Thai organisations and facilities.
The vast majority of disabled Thai people live in rural areas. Generally, it is the responsibility of the family to care for and provide for their disabled relatives, and there is very little state help available. Traditionally in Thailand disabled people have been regarded as unemployable, although this attitude is changing. However, there are still few opportunities for disabled people to receive the training necessary to become independent. Although there are many people willing to give aid to disabled people, there is not much help in integrating them fully into Thai society. Travel & Getting AroundThailand is not an easy place to visit for people with reduced mobility or other disabilities. The larger resorts and tourist attractions provide facilities for disabled people but in rural areas public transport is limited and often inaccessible to wheelchair users. Moving around the city can be extremely difficult for disabled people. The streets and pavements are uneven and few buildings provide ramps and handrails to aid disabled access. Guide dogs are rare and there are no audio signals for the blind on traffic crossings. A project has been announced by the Bangkok governor along with the Disabled People International Asia-Pacific Region to ensure that Bangkok pavements are easily navigable for those with reduced mobility. A commitment has also been made to make public transport more accessible. Public transportPublic transport is not usually equipped to facilitate disabled access. Public buses are inaccessible to wheelchair users. Disabled people are usually forced to travel through the cities by taxi. However, few taxi drivers are experienced or trained in helping a wheelchair-bound customer in and out of their cars. Sky Train (BTS) stations in Bangkok are on two levels, with ticketing on the lower level and the trains on the upper, making access difficult for wheelchair users. At the moment only five of the stations provide disabled access. However, there are plans for elevators to be built at the other stations. The national rail network has no special facilities for disabled passengers but assistance will be given to those who ask. The Bangkok underground (Metro) has better disabled access and all of the stations have elevators. Assistance will be given to disabled passengers if requested. On the trains there are locks for wheelchairs. At Suvarnabhumi Airport the lack of elevators and disabled toilet facilities makes it difficult for wheelchair users. Mobility aidsEcobrand supplies mobility scooters and portable three and four wheel mobility scooters. Disability BenefitsThere are few funds available for disabled persons. Registered Thai nationals with disabilities are entitled to free medical rehabilitation services. The primary source of assistance to disabled people in Thailand is through community-based help from Non-Governmental Organisations, but these are generally available for disabled Thai nationals only.
Education For Children with DisabilitiesLegally, all disabled persons are entitled to 12 years of free, basic education. However, the vast majority of schools in Thailand do not cater for disabled children. As a result, a child with a disability attends a special school which caters only to children with similar disabilities. Not many schools cater to disabled children so it is not always easy for children with disabilities to get an education.
Training For Disabled People
National Associations
Regional Associations
Further Information
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