Handicapped in Thailand

[Old Patong]

Hi all, newbie here, but resided in Thailand for a decade 1979-1989 on Patong Beach.

Here is my blog from that era: Gary Old Patong | Thai Blogs | Page 14 written about an earlier time in Thailand, but many of the stories could be the same as today. Enjoy, many entries.

My question is about wheelchair users[Farangs or Thais]residing in Thailand today.

The happy decade my wife and I resided in "Old Patong", I could easily get around using fore arm crutches, after my first trip to Siam, I quickly realized that nothing in the entire country was wheelchair accessible and few places even wheelchair friendly.

My situation now is that I've used my strong shoulders and now they are burnt out, so using a wheelchair is my way of life now!

Any wheelchair users in Thailand, I'd certainly like to know your thoughts, ways of coping and doing things while using a wheelchair in Thailand.

We both miss Thailand, it's culture, people and food emensely and have thoughts of re-locating from sunny Arizona to some place that "might" be wheelchair friendly in Thailand, I am now 67, but as a strong paraplegic, i am able to do most things, but greatly find STEPS/STAIRS to be my number one thing to avoid!

Please advise, thanks

Gary "Old Patong" Stamey

USArmy Special Forces Retired

[CharlieH]

No problem in any of the Major cities and Malls etc, but as for smaller towns and villages there is no provision in my experience for disability especially bathrooms etc. even entrance and exits dont have ramps.

Main issue will be moving short distances, you would probably have to be pushed along the road as sidewalks (pavements) are non existent or covered with carts and sellers etc.

Just my observations.

[David48]

I do notice, in the low lying areas in and around Bangkok that many have built up their entrance in-case of flooding.

Easy enough for us to walk over ... but I presume a nightmare for the less enabled.

[wym]

You would need to move into a place designed specifically for this.

Very few public facilities are accessible, no legal requirements here except (maybe) some government facilities.

Very expensive western-oriented places are generally OK due to habits indoctrinated overseas, or perhaps because they don't want to shut themselves out of this very fast-growing market.

So otherwise, to get out and about with any level of freedom, you would need to hire people capable of lifting you, sometimes even carrying you some distance when needed.

And of course an appropriate vehicle.

[rhodie]

Have noticed more and more guys in wheelchairs around the Soi Buakhao area in Pattaya. I am sure you could work a routine where you could get around quite comfortably in that area on a daily basis.

Challenges are what have kept you going but I am sure you would get by.

Good luck. I hope you make it back.

[jocko]

And never never tell anyone you are ex special forces this place is full of them.

[harrry]

No problem in any of the Major cities and Malls etc, but as for smaller towns and villages there is no provision in my experience for disability especially bathrooms etc. even entrance and exits dont have ramps.

Main issue will be moving short distances, you would probably have to be pushed along the road as sidewalks (pavements) are non existent or covered with carts and sellers etc.

Just my observations.

I would not say no problems. No problems if you restrict yourself to the malls. Cities not much sidewalk access if any. kerbs and steps.. some access to some train stations if everything works. Taxis have lpg tanks in the boot (trunk) and have difficulty with a wheelchair.