Access Issues-Rajdamri

[ooddy]

it's very difficult and almost impossible for elderly and handicapped folks to navigate around Bangkok, by foot.

The sidewalk is narrow and full of obstacles. Street vendors, uneven surface, protuded man-hole covers, electric and telephone poles, discarded tree stumps, dog excrement, etc. Very often, you have to watch out for errant motorcylces running on the sidelwalk, sneaking up from behind.

And the BTS has no respect for the elderly and handicapped people at all. No elevators nor escalators; no ramps, etc, at most station. A very limited number of stations has a token escalator and elevator.

The accessibility provisions should be mandatory for all government projects, no matter whether it's big or small projects. And all buildings should be required to provide effective and safe accessibility for elderly and handicapped folks.

[GWR]

And then it could be promoted to increase tourist numbers; away from the more usual 'sun, sand & sex' obsession of TAT. And there are plenty of local aged & disabled who would also benefit. Ever noticed how popular the major supermarkets have become with disabled because they make life a bit easier (and even lend wheelchairs).

Trouble is, the government hasn't ever even begun to realistically address the handicap faced by millions of its exploited rice farmers.

[ooddy]

Definitely Khun GWR,

It's good business all around. Mr. Tahksin should take notice of our advice.

Good business starts with good design, and people-oriented and user-frindly design.

Urban Design is one of those issues that Thai Government never pay attention to. You don't need mega projects to be one of world-class cities. Start small with attention to details. Better and safe pedestrian area, wider sidewalk, handicapped accessible, more trees, safe street crossings. And above all, do away with cars.. encourage and maintain pedestrian-only streets. Provide more public park to the maximum extent possible. Maximize pedestrain connections to mass transit stations, from parks, entertainment centers, public gathering places, etc.

[ooddy]

I think Bangkok is probably the worst urbanized city in terms of its gross neclect of urban design principle.

I'm not sure what happened to those highly educated Thais, who got master or doctor degrees on something, but no sense of utilizing its knowledge to enhance quality of life in Bangkok.

[jpatokal]

I think Bangkok is probably the worst urbanized city in terms of its gross neclect of urban design principle.
Try visiting Jakarta for some perspective of how badly you can screw up if you really try...

And Kuala Lumpur, while it has some pretty good infrastructure, is also quite a mess from the urban planning perspective. Simple things like crossing the street on foot can be real pain, and the "integration" between systems is terrible -- although this is sloooowly changing thanks to RapidKL.

[Pas]

Urban Design is one of those issues that Thai Government never pay attention to. You don't need mega projects to be one of world-class cities. Start small with attention to details. Better and safe pedestrian area, wider sidewalk, handicapped accessible, more trees, safe street crossings. And above all, do away with cars.. encourage and maintain pedestrian-only streets. Provide more public park to the maximum extent possible. Maximize pedestrain connections to mass transit stations, from parks, entertainment centers, public gathering places, etc.

You've hit the nail on the head there oody! But first lets define what is "urban design". non of my friends and relatives in Thailand seem to know what it is when I told them I study urban design at uni. Is there a Thai word for it?!! :D The govt definitely need to put this matter on the agenda. We should get someone like Ken Livingstone the mayor of London to come and give pep talk!! honestly.

I strongly agree that elderly access is terrible. in fact it's a disgrace.
But I think some of those problems you mentioned should be look at simultaneously as well.. eg widening of footpaths and regulating street vendors. on one hand you make a pleasant footpath on the other hand people losses their source of income. some of these problems aren't always clear cut. it may be easy for us to say but for difficult for those who has to make a decision. The only way forward is to get citizen involve in design projects.. more focus groups, charettes, design enquiries etc etc.. not just for talk fest but actual public forums that can result in implementation.

[White Nancy]

Unfortunately, Thailand (or indeed anywhere else) may find it necessary to pass legislation before any real improvements are seen. In the UK we currently have two pieces designed for this purpose:- the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), which covers ALL aspects of accessability, work, rights etc, and the Rail Vehicle Accessability Regulations (RVAR), which as the name implies is rail specific.

Whilst these are primarily aimed at people with various disabilities, by definition, their implementation assists the elderly as well. These issues have been known about for years, but it wasn't until these acts came into force that real changes were seen. In some cases however, the DDA is high-handed and even worse ambiguous, with heavy penalties for infringement.

You can have focus groups and all that malarkey but in most cases there is no (or a poor) business case for change so legislation is often, unfortunately, the only solution.

[ooddy]

One way to get the leadership of Thai Government, especially Mr. Tahksin and his cronies, to understand the plight and horror of our elderly and handicapped folks is to put them on a wheel-chair for a week. And have them naviagte around the city of Bangkok.

Try to get to work, go shopping, take a bus and/or trains, etc. by using the wheel-chair. And see how they feel.

This has to be honest, realistic test. Not just come in for a photo opt.

And the next phase is to ask them to walk around on the sidewalk of Bangkok. And get some idea what it's like to dodge around obstacles...etc. and survive...

[GWR]

Rajdamri to be made fit for all disabled
Published on August 8, 2007

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will improve the 1.5-kilometre stretch of Rajdamri Road from Rachaprasong intersection to Lumpini Park for use by disabled people in a pilot project to mark His Majesty the King's 80th birthday.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/images/2007/file/roadmap.jpg

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/08/national/images/30044202-01.jpg
[Photo - The Nation - Representatives of the disabled check for trouble spots along Rajdamri Road’s footpath to make recommendations. The BMA yesterday launched a project at the Erawan Hotel to improve the road’s footpaths for the handicapped to celebrate HM the King’s 80th Birthday.]

Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin told a press conference yesterday that the BMA would cooperate with Disabled Peoples' International Asia-Pacific Region (DPI Asia-Pacific), Thai Health Promotion Foundation, Association of the Physically Handicapped of Thailand, Siam CPAC Block Co and others on the project.

The road and the footpath are to be made usable by people with all types of disabilities, especially the blind and those using wheelchairs.

"After the project's completion, we will block the road to celebrate the Day of Disabled Persons on November 11," Apirak said. "This is BMA's first road improvement for the disabled, based on their own survey and report. I think it's good because the city will now know their actual problems," he added.



http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/08/national/national_30044202.php

[GWR]

Makes you wonder whether they have condemned cyclists to the speedway once again!? I can't imagine there being enough room for both:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/121107_front.jpg
[Photo: Bangkok Post - Smooth sailing
Disabled people join a test of the first disabled-friendly sidewalk along Ratchadamri road yesterday. Many were happy with the wider, safer and obstacle-free pavement. — PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD]

Thailand opens first walkway for disabled, aging

BANGKOK, Nov 11 (TNA) - Three Thai government agencies Sunday officially opened Thailand's first footpath for people with disabilities and the aged, aimed at celebrating the 80th birthday of His Majesty the King on December 5.

The footpath was developed by improving the surface of a 1.6-kilometre long section of Rajadamri Road in Bangkok's central business district and is suitable for crippled and aged people, according to Dr. Poldej Pinpratheep, deputy minister of Social Development and Human Security.

Dr. Poldej said there were about registered 1.9 million physically handicapped persons, or 2.9 per cent of Thailand's total population, and more than one million unregistered persons with physical disabilities who are entitled to equal rights from society.

Besides that the number of people aged over 80 who need the same facilities as persons with disabilities is also rising, he said.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration said it planned to expand such services to five other nearby roads next year. (TNA)

General News : Last Update : 15:45:02 11 November 2550 (GMT+7:00)
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