But I am back in the west now and every shopping centre has lifts and I know a lot of people don't like Thai Airways, but I will use them again since they have non-stop flights to BKK again starting after 31st of March.
I have the same problems as you I can't walk up steps at all without help. Although I am a couple of years younger than you. I had to take a flight from Perth to BKK with Malaysian Air where I had to change terminals in KL with hardly any time to catch the connecting flight and no lift in sight. I nearly broke another ankle struggling down the elevator.
I do have swollen legs and I wear compression socks; they do nothing for me I do not have arthritis but very sore legs and have Problems walking now. I did have a cheaper one before but did not last very long.