You Don't Realise Until You Need

[DipStick]

Please stay with me, a trifle long winded.

i am now 70 years old, always been very active and up to a year ago could hold my own on the squash court, then the misery started, six months ago I fell and landed on the top angle of a concrete step, damaging my spinal cord. This has left me semi disabled and in severe trouble.

i live and operate two businesses in Dongguan, South China, the city is known as the factory capital of China, and through a friend was introduced to a Taiwanese owner of a factory manufacturing the latest form of electric disability scooters and I purchased one.a very good decision.

it is totally useless to me here in Dongguan as the city is not wheelchair friendly, but I found a month ago, and much to my surprise, Bangkok is relatively accessible, of course I am not talking about downtown.

my wife and I own a small but comfortable condo on the 27th floor in Pakkret near MTT. In our block there are no steps anywhere but ramps, both to the multi level car parks and onto the main road. Being sceptical, my wife and I decided to tour our local shopping areas on Charing Wattana, I was surprised as everywhere we went we "discovered" how much easier it was to get around, than we envisaged.

all of the large outlets, whether Tesco, Big C or Homepro all had wheelchair access, with ramps not steps and elevators or walkways all of which when living here previously I had never noticed as I had no need,the Central Department Store on CW can only be given 10/10 as it had everything ramps, disabled parking as well as special lifts for wheelchairs, manoeuvring around it was effort and stress less .

i was also greatly impressed by the Thai people, they to a T were polite, understanding and helpful, even nudging myself and wife asIde to help load the scooter in and out of our SUV, this happened every single time and without being asked, I doubt those concerned will be reading this, but if they are, I would publicly like to say a huge thank you.

so, as I started, you just don't realise what's available until you need something different.

[Kwasaki]

18 minutes ago, DipStick said:

i was also greatly impressed by the Thai people, they to a T were polite, understanding and helpful, even nudging myself and wife asIde to help load the scooter in and out of our SUV, this happened every single time and without being asked,

[Toknarok]

        You're lucky. I too am wheelchair bound and use a mobility scooter. I live in rural Issan and the local town is sadly lacking in facilities for the disabled. It's OK travelling on the roads, I use the lane on the far left for motor cycles with few problems, it's another matter when I get to town.

       For example of the dozen or so ATM machines in town there is only one that I can access with my scooter. Last year the local Agriculture Bank was closed for several months whilst they completely renovated the front of the building. It must have cost millions of bahtwith brand new ATM machines---and yes you've guessed it, to get to them you have to climb bloody steps! When I complained I was met with a 'Sorry' and a shrug.

     Same applies to cafes and shops, hardly any have wheelchair access, but I will admit that a couple of pubs that I used to frequent before my accident have put in a ramp to accommodate me - bless 'em.

[Old Croc]

Good posts.

I'm currently thinking of buying one of these scooters to enable me to become more mobile.

 I'm interested in what types are available (I would need a heavy duty machine), and where to buy in Thailand. Cost not of great concern.There doesn't seem to be any suppliers in Phuket. Also laws and requirements pertaining to use of these machines on public roads

I would appreciate any feedback, thankyou.

[Toknarok]

        There is a shop in Buriram that sells these machines. Several types ranging in price from 35K to 55K. PM me if you want to know more.

         As for the regulations concerning these machines on the roads I don't think there are any. The local police don't know of any but I admit I haven't enquired of the traffic Highway Police. One friend stated that the Thai legislature had not addressed the matter of electric vehicles on Thai roads and that there were no laws or regulations pertaining thereto.

        I ride around here quite happily, no insurance, no helmet, no licence etc. The police see me all the time and apart from the occasional wave and smile they do nothing. It may be different in the cities.

       Colinneil from Khon Kaen I know you ride one of these machines, have you had any problems?

[DipStick]

29 minutes ago, Old Croc said:

Good posts.

I'm currently thinking of buying one of these scooters to enable me to become more mobile.

 I'm interested in what types are available (I would need a heavy duty machine), and where to buy in Thailand. Cost not of great concern.There doesn't seem to be any suppliers in Phuket. Also laws and requirements pertaining to use of these machines on public roads

I would appreciate any feedback, thankyou.

From my experience , one has to be quite selective when purchasing, I note your comments on a heavy duty, which would mean probably a heavier and bulkier unit that's would likely be very difficult to get into a car.

Todays technology allows lighter scooters with very good capabilities, for example my scooter folds and unfolds automatically using a key fob,, it has a top speed of around 4 Kmh and a battery range of 14 KM I have ridden it around Zhenzhen airport, Beijing, Hong Kong and BKK airports, it's able to be ridden to the aircraft door (jetway) folded and put in the aircraft forward hold, and is waiting for me at the jetway when I disembark, with a heavy duty unit I feel that these abilities could be compromised.

if you want to know more google SOLAX DISABILITY SCOOTERS

[Andrew Dwyer]

Good thread !
I’m not on target for buying a disability scooter just yet ( fingers crossed ) but you never know what might happen in the near future.
Just happy to see TVF members helping each other with some excellent advice ,keep it up guys.

[Old Croc]

14 minutes ago, DipStick said:

From my experience , one has to be quite selective when purchasing, I note your comments on a heavy duty, which would mean probably a heavier and bulkier unit that's would likely be very difficult to get into a car.

Todays technology allows lighter scooters with very good capabilities, for example my scooter folds and unfolds automatically using a key fob,, it has a top speed of around 4 Kmh and a battery range of 14 KM I have ridden it around Zhenzhen airport, Beijing, Hong Kong and BKK airports, it's able to be ridden to the aircraft door (jetway) folded and put in the aircraft forward hold, and is waiting for me at the jetway when I disembark, with a heavy duty unit I feel that these abilities could be compromised.

if you want to know more google SOLAX DISABILITY SCOOTERS

Thanks for the quick reply. Interesting videos on that web site

I can see the advantages of this portable, folding scooter. However, I'm looking more for something to travel from home to local area shopping, restaurants, etc.

Something like a 3 or 4 wheeled scooter as in these links.

 

https://www.daily.com.au/scooters/scooters-gophers.html

http://www.udamotor.co.th/index.php

 

Thanks Tonarok for your experiences with the legalities of electric vehicles.

[wanderluster]

FYI - there is a good company in bkk that does mobility conversions on cars and has a electric "box' for the top of your car with a crane inside. it swings sideways opens and releases or picks up the chair. my friend bought this a couple of yrs ago and it gave him great independance. for those times and locations when a friendly thai in not around. PM me if this is something you would like more info on.

 

also see now that you are looking for a specialty scooter, if anyone in bkk has it this place would be the one i think

 

siam nissin 024541340.

 

if the mods delete no. PM me

[keithpa]

Google Travelscoot and Luggie scooter. The Luggie, $3200 in Bangkok, $2200 in Singapor. Lith Ion batteries. OK to take batteries on aircraft, in cabin. DO NOT, repeat DO NOT apply breaks when going backwards, eg. in reverse down a ramp as the PMD  will do a back flip and you will land on the back of your skull with the scooter on top of you. Done it twice. (rear brakes only). These are not for severely disabled. PM me if you want to.

[metisdead]

An unhelpful troll post with the intent to denigrate disabled people has been removed as well as the well pointed out reply.  

 

A nonsense post commenting on moderation has been removed.  A grammar police post was removed as well. 

[cyberfarang]

21 hours ago, DipStick said:

From my experience , one has to be quite selective when purchasing, I note your comments on a heavy duty, which would mean probably a heavier and bulkier unit that's would likely be very difficult to get into a car.

Todays technology allows lighter scooters with very good capabilities, for example my scooter folds and unfolds automatically using a key fob,, it has a top speed of around 4 Kmh and a battery range of 14 KM I have ridden it around Zhenzhen airport, Beijing, Hong Kong and BKK airports, it's able to be ridden to the aircraft door (jetway) folded and put in the aircraft forward hold, and is waiting for me at the jetway when I disembark, with a heavy duty unit I feel that these abilities could be compromised.

if you want to know more google SOLAX DISABILITY SCOOTERS

Sorry to read that after your accident you now have to rely on a wheelchair to get around. Have you been to any sort of physio, is there any hope of making a recovery whereas you can at least walk again without the aid of a wheelchair?

[DipStick]

On 11/26/2017 at 9:20 AM, cyberfarang said:

Sorry to read that after your accident you now have to rely on a wheelchair to get around. Have you been to any sort of physio, is there any hope of making a recovery whereas you can at least walk again without the aid of a wheelchair?

Thanks for your concern, much appreciated, however in my OP, I did state I was left semi disabled, with great difficulty I am able to "hobble" around, but my balance has been badly affected, leaving me when walking resembling a drunkard ! I fear falling in public, hence the scooter.

As for Physio, I have talked to one here, he is American and is the full time pro physio for the professional Dongguan basketball team, he is however reluctant to treat me as my injury stems from a spinal cord event.

[thequietman]

Couple of older guys in my area bought used golf carts and use them to get around. Police don't seem to care. 

Just an option maybe. Good luck.

[DipStick]

I started this thread to help show that being disabled is not the end of the world, and life can go on, albeit with a few extra difficulties.

I must admit at being pleasantly surprised by the response comments and the number of "likes" received.

There was only one idiotic comment that was removed very quickly by the power to be, so all in all, what I hoped would be a helpful post turned out to be just that.

[Toknarok]

On 11/27/2017 at 8:23 PM, thequietman said:

Couple of older guys in my area bought used golf carts and use them to get around. Police don't seem to care. 

Just an option maybe. Good luck.

           Trouble with golf carts is they are just that. Vehicles for slowly trundling around the course. They don't have any lights and no horn. In addition their tyres are not designed to be driven on metallic roads, they are for driving on grass, and quickly wear out on road surfaces.