BMA sued over lack of lifts for handicapped at Skytrain stations

[rooster59]

BMA sued over lack of lifts for handicapped at Skytrain stations

By Pratch Rujivanarom,
Thanatpon Khongsai
The Nation

 

 

A CIVIL RIGHTS group for the handicapped filed a civil lawsuit against Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (the BMA) yesterday for failing to install lifts in all BTS Skytrain stations, which they say violates their right for equal access to public transport.

 

The group, some in wheelchairs, gathered at four MRT subway stations yesterday before taking the subway to the Civil Court to file the suit against the BMA. They claim that city officials failed to comply with an Administrative Court judgement to build lifts for handicapped people and those who need special help in all Skytrain stations.

 

They are seeking compensation of Bt1,000 per person per day.

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30304566

 

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-01-21

[yellowboat]

They only need to look back to when the BTS was being built as well as compare to systems in other countries.   The BTS started life ignoring the needs of the disabled. 

[gk10002000]

I agree that there should be disabled access lifts, but that doesn't mean that Thai Law, demands or asserts that such a lift is required.  Of course I doubt there is a firm consensus on what the Thai law is now with the Coup leaders in charge, a constitution thrown away, a charter voted on, etc.,

[Chip Allen]

BRAVO!!!  I am hopeful that Thailand can benefit from judicial activism as America has. The next step should be lawsuits aimed at easing overcrowding in prisons and forcing humane treatment for inmates. If Thailand is serious about moving into the 21st century, it is imperative that the courts act on issues that move a country from third world to first world status.

[rkidlad]

Good luck. Hope they win and we see much better access for disabled people in these so-called modern day infrastructure projects. Ignoring the size of the MRT, it's very modern, clean and relatively well run. But not having proper wheelchair access, etc, really does show there's still lots of room for development. A developed country doesn't just have shiny modern buildings. There's more to it than that. 

[outsider]

There are lifts at the BTS stations. Maybe not all, I'm not sure. There is definitely one at the Chongnonsi station (two, if I want to be pedantic about it. One on each side of Narathiwas road). But that lift is situated on a traffic island in the middle of Narathiwas road. Like right smack in the middle with traffic running on either side of it. How does one expect a diabled/wheelchair-bound person to cross this busy road, get onto the shoulder and use the lift? I actually experienced the stupidity of this once, when I escorted my uncle (who used a walking stick and would be very exhausted if he had to climb the stairs up to the station) to the middle of the road, walked right up to the lift, pressed the button to call for assistance, and nothing happened. No replies. I'm not even sure the buzzer or whatever it was at the other end, sounded. I was so furious and the only thing that stopped me from going up to the station and giving these frigging idiots an earful is the thought of leaving my uncle alone on the ground level. It really boggles my mind why whoever designed it thought it was a good idea to put it where it is. I really wish I could meet that one person and smack him/her on the head. Hard. And while I'm at it, this particular station has four access points. Each access point has two staircases feeding it from the ground level, so that makes eight staircases. Out of these eight staircases, there is only ONE escalator. ONE! Located next to the entrance to Narathiwas Soi 3.

 

Honestly, this station is the perfect subject if someone wants to study the epitome of stupid. I am only focussing on the Chongnonsi station because I use it almost everyday and I am very familiar with the area.

 

Here's a picture of the lift access, so those not familiar with this station knows what I'm on about (pic screen-captured from Google map).

 

 

Edited January 21, 2017 by outsider

[gsinter]

In my opinion, the BTS is only interested in making profits, they don't even open the newly build elevators which they were required to build, and are now ready to use for quite some time! like the one at Surasak station.

Yes they were required to build them (the one in Surasak took a ridiculus two years to build and still not operating) but aparantly  there is no law which requires them to run them.

[zorro1]

Several years ago I hurt my knee and stairs were not an option.. Boy it really hit home how disadvantaged the permanently disabled and the elderly are.
What the fools thinking about when they built the BTS, Were they trying to save money or what?

[SaintLouisBlues]

8 minutes ago, zorro1 said:

Several years ago I hurt my knee and stairs were not an option.. Boy it really hit home how disadvantaged the permanently disabled and the elderly are.
What the fools thinking about when they built the BTS, Were they trying to save money or what?

You don't understand the Thai mentality. Material possessions show off your importance in the social hierarchy. Cars show the importance of their owners who are much more important than motorcycle drivers and way, way more important than pedestrians. Anyone who tries to cross the road in Bangkok knows that. Where does a BTS user come in the social scale? And then of course handicapped. They're that way you realize because of their karma from a previous life. No-one quite says it out loud.

[MaxLee]

BTS, are you talking about that small scale year by year overcrowded crap???


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[zorro1]

BTS, are you talking about that small scale year by year overcrowded crap???


Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect

Avoid using it during peak hours.
Not rocket science

[MaxLee]

46 minutes ago, zorro1 said:

Avoid using it during peak hours.
Not rocket science

I gotta go home from work somehow, "any alterantive suggestions"???? Lol

[harrry]

4 minutes ago, MaxLee said:

I gotta go home from work somehow, "any alterantive suggestions"???? Lol

buy a wheelchair

 

[Baerboxer]

2 hours ago, SaintLouisBlues said:

You don't understand the Thai mentality. Material possessions show off your importance in the social hierarchy. Cars show the importance of their owners who are much more important than motorcycle drivers and way, way more important than pedestrians. Anyone who tries to cross the road in Bangkok knows that. Where does a BTS user come in the social scale? And then of course handicapped. They're that way you realize because of their karma from a previous life. No-one quite says it out loud.

 

When we told my M-i-L that her grandson was disabled she announced that it was because his mother hadn't been a good daughter, didn't give her all she asked for and more! Thainess, something to behold.

 

Good to see the disabled associations getting more active.

 

On a plus side, the security staff at The Promenade, Fashion Island, Central Eastville, Zpel, Future Park, Central World and Newamin Night Market are all very helpful and friendly in finding a vacant disabled parking bay. Notice they do check on drivers parking in these spaces now too. 

 

 

[Baerboxer]

1 hour ago, harrry said:

buy a wheelchair

 

 

Inane.

[harrry]

12 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Inane.

You would not think so if you had to use one all the time.  A little of it may teacch him the difficulties faced by many everyday and he may get home but may have to wheel it the whole way.

[Baerboxer]

1 hour ago, harrry said:

You would not think so if you had to use one all the time.  A little of it may teacch him the difficulties faced by many everyday and he may get home but may have to wheel it the whole way.

 

No, it was his idea of humor I was referring to. My son has always and always will be a wheel chair user. Some who aren't seem to think they can crack jokes at other's expense. Usually based on lack of knowledge, lack of intelligence, and minimal if any empathy.

Edited January 21, 2017 by Baerboxer

[zorro1]

I gotta go home from work somehow, "any alterantive suggestions"???? Lol

Get a 2 hour massage after work and then go find a bar for beers

By 10pm the crowds would have dissipated [emoji108]

[Bluespunk]

2 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Inane.

You are being far too polite.