[sustran] Re: Appeal for help from disabled people in Bangkok

[Todd Litman]

I suggest contacting the organization Access Exchange International (email:
globalride-sf at worldnet.att.net) which provides resources for improving
mobility services for physically disabled people throughout the world. They
have done some really creative and helpful work in many developing
countries. Unfortunately, they don't seem to have a website at this time.


Sincerely,

Todd Litman, Director
Victoria Transport Policy Institute
"Efficiency - Equity - Clarity"
1250 Rudlin Street
Victoria, BC, V8V 3R7, Canada
Phone & Fax: 250-360-1560
E-mail:  litman at islandnet.com
Website: http://www.islandnet.com/~litman



>Subject:	Re: Looking for statistics on PWD's. 
>Author:	Topong Kulkhanchit <handipro at loxinfo.co.th> at Internet
>Date:	17/6/99 14:56
>
>
>We, disabled people in Thailand are facing with challenge from Bangkok
>Metropolitan Administration (BMA) , because of the many broken promises.
>On December 5, 1999  the "Bangkok Sky train” the frist mass transit
>system in Thailand will be inaugerated and start operation,
>unfortunately without accessibility for any handicapped passengers
>including disabled people. The usual public transportation, such as bus,
>train, even taxi have not been accessible for us already.  DPI-Thailand
>or the National Council of the Disabled of Thailand and many other
>ncerning organizations have been asking for street level elevator access
>since 1 3, the beginning of construction. While BMA Governor Krissada
>Arunwong declined todo so.
>
>New Governor Bichit Rattakul took officer in 1996 and acknowledged
>because of lackof vision caused improper contraction and foresight in
>design. On November 27, 1995; mass rally of over 400 PWDs was luanched
>in the City of Bangkok which targete to Bangkok City Hall, Government
>HQ, Ministry of Interior and residence of the Prim Minister to demand
>accessible facility in the controversial Skytrain. Immediate tion was
>taken by the Ministry of Interion when an urgent meeting was called upo
>with the combination of representative of all concerns. Negotiation was
>made during the meeting and DPI-Thailand representative stepped backward
>by accepting lift installation at only 5 out of 23 stations with a
>condition that completion must be at the first day of official service
>(December 5, 1999).  At this moment, with only 5 months remains
>installation process has not been initiated yet. We are informed the
>uncertainty if the five station will be ready or not.
>
>Use of sky walks to adjacent privately owned buildings such as shopping
>malls is introduced by the authority instead of lifts.  Whether or not
>these buildings are accessible for the disabled or elderly because of
>stairs or steps, or whether or not these buildings are open during the
>full operating schedule of the “Sky train”, was no taken into
>consideration.
>
>When groups of disabled people ask city officials why the promised
>access, however limited, is not going to be available, these officials hide
>behind vague answers and “bureaucratic”.
>
>We, Thai citizens with various disablilities would like very much,
>indeed, to hear critics from our friends worldwide : “What can we do, and
>what can you do, to have the Governor of Bangkok and/or the Government
>make good on their promises, and make a public facility truly accessible
>to the all of the public”.  All the elderly, pragnants, small kids in
>Thailand will join us to celebrate "equalization of opportunity and full
>participation".
>
>Please send your idea(s) to e-mail addresses below :
>Thai newspapers
>webmaster at thairath.co.th
>Info at Dailynews.co.th
>Webmaster at Khaosodusa.com
>Bangna at nation.nationgroup.com
>webmaster at thannews.th.com
>mati at asianet.co.th
>Webmaster at bangkokpost.net
>     
>Thai Radios
>Webmaster at mcot.or.th
>107FM at infonews.co.th
>FM97 at email.ksc.net
>     
>Bangkok Business
>KT_pol at nation.nationgroup.com
>KT_sport at natoion.nationgroup.com
>KT_jpk at nation.nationgroup.com
>KT_edu at nation.nationgroup.com
>     
>Thai Television
>Internet at tv3.co.th
>Webadmin at galaxy.tv.co.th
>ch7 at asiaweb.co.th
>Webmaster at mcot.or.th
>tv11 at iirt.net, mcic at iirt.net
>hotline at itv.co.th
>prgroup at itv.co.th
>mailto:prgroup at itv.co.th
>     
>With best regards
>Topong Kulkhanchit
>Access Office, DPI-Thailand
>Tel/fax 662-243-6828
>e-mail : dpith at loxinfo.co.th, handipro at loxinfo.co.th
>
>