PHOTOS

12 SEP 2012

Being disabled in Bangkok

Although Thailand is among the signatories to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities that meet in New York today, life for the disabled in its capital city remains a challenge. Photos by Toto Lozano.

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Being disabled in Bangkok — A visually-impaired man plays a clarinet on Silom Road. According to the International Labour Organisation, productive and decent work enables people with disabilities to realise their aspirations.

Being disabled in Bangkok — A university student crosses a footpath marked with "detectable warning surfaces" along Phloenchit Road. Detectable warning surfaces, or tactile paving, enable the visually-impaired to detect surfaces and hazardous points on the pavement, such as pedestrian crossings.

Being disabled in Bangkok — The space afforded to detectable warning surfaces along the pavement near Nana BTS Station has been taken over by street vendors, making it difficult for the visually-impaired to navigate this area of town.

Being disabled in Bangkok — A visually-impaired man uses a white cane as he walks along an elevated footpath near Victory Monument. There are around 80,000 visually-impaired people in Thailand.

Being disabled in Bangkok — A member of the MRT staff assists a physically-challenged woman to use an elevator. While most subway and skytrain stations are accessible to the disabled, the same can't be said for other forms of public transport such as buses and boats.

Being disabled in Bangkok — A pick-up truck occupies a disabled space at a shopping centre on Rama IV Road. The Building Control Act 2522 (1979) contains guidelines for buildings to be equipped with assistive devices for the elderly and the disabled.

Being disabled in Bangkok — A physically-challenged man rides a modified tricycle along Ratchawithi Road that enables him to pedal with his hands.