To dear media folks

I am glad to see Naew Na's front page story about dangerous spots in Suvannabhumi airport. Even though we realise our concern may fall on deaf ears, we still have the duty to speak out. Since the last government, we have brought to the attention of all parties, a couple of grave concern for the safety of the disabled. We only hope all authorised people listen to our alarm and act accordingly before it's too late, because we "can't unring a bell."

Of particular concern is the long ramp to the boarding gate for international flights. The ramps' metallic floor is prone to slippery. Wheelchair users- the elderly, patients, the disabled or small children - have to wheel or be assisted through three sections of the ramp, with no resting areas. According to disability legislation standards, any ramp longer than 6 metres must be equipped with the resting area of at least 1.5 metres. 

Other passengers need only walk down the first section of the ramp, then use the stair to descend to the level floor to board the aircraft. This stairway locates at the end of the first section of the ramp - a very dangerous structure. No one with safety consciousness would design such a location. If wheelchair users lose control over it, they could be thrown out from the ramp through this stair to hit the floor. The consequence is likely to be fatal.

I have submitted a letter to Admiral Bannawit Kengrien, Gen Saprang Kalayanamitr and Transport Minister Gen Thira Haocharoen, urging them to immediately remove the stair to the side of the ramps. Nothing happens.

I am also thinking about appealing to Chief-of-Staff ‘U' (Gen Lertrat Rattanawanit) of the Bureau of the National Safety Council of Thailand, if his office can do something.

Lt. Col Torpong Kulkanchit

Head of the Office of the Disable Peoples' International for Asia-Pacific

29/486 Moo 9 Soi 12 Muang Thong Thani, Pakkred, Nonthaburi 11120

Tel/Fax 02-503-4268-9 mobile 081-636-7726

e-mail [email protected]

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Management of environmental conditions is a tall order. The task needs all parties concerned (in the development of the disabled people) to be well aware and take part in the monitoring of any state project, if we want to see the change for the better. It is insufficient to just wait for the intervention of the central administration, or a good law and policy; equally important is the monitoring of law enforcement. With supporting environment and facilities, more disabled people will come out. Gradually, this will change people's attitude for the better with regards to employment, education, and social integration of people with disability.

In the past few years, both the government and the local administrative organisations have largely spent their budget on construction building and promoting tourist attractions. Most of these works are under the related ministerial rules of the Public Work Department, lacking, however, sufficient monitoring by the organisation of the disabled to ensure their access is available to all.

Indeed, what we need to promote is "Tourism for All," or "Barrier-free Tourism," which emphasises the provision of facilities for people with special needs including the disabled and the elderly.

According to the (Interior) Ministerial B.E 2548 on the provision of the disabled facilities in the building for the disabled, the handicapped and the elderly;

3)  The following buildings and places must provide facilities for the disabled, the handicapped and the elderly in the same areas as that set for other people;

(1)   Hospital, care centres, health care services centre, health centres, government buildings, state enterprise buildings and building of other state organisations, educational institutes, libraries, public museums, airport, railway stations, bus stations, and piers.

The requirement for the provision of the facilities for the disabled, the handicapped and the elderly applies to the above mentioned places that have areas over 300 square metres opening to services for the general public.

(2)   Office buildings, theatres, hotels, meeting halls, stadiums, shopping centres,

department stores of any kinds with servicing areas over 2,000 square metres.

 The Ministerial Rule B.E 2542 also regulates types of buildings, places, transport vehicles and other public services that must provide facilities for the disabled.    

Translated by Mukdawan Sakboon