A group of people with disabilities have called on City Hall to remove a certain type of metal pole from pavements, saying they not only prevent motorcyclists from using the walkways but also obstruct them from gaining access to the public space.
Manit Inthapim, chairman of Transport for All, said the so-called S-Guard poles were only supposed to be installed as a temporary measure.
Mr Manit claims they are an eyesore that inconveniences wheelchair-users, parents with baby strollers, the blind, and people who are overweight.
While they may work in other countries they appear to be more problematic in Bangkok especially at the Asok intersection and on Narathiwat Ratchanakarin Road, he added.
Mr Manit suggested City Hall do away with the poles and focus instead on raising awareness among motorcyclists and pedestrians about the correct use of pavements, as well as the punishments city inspectors can mete out.
The poles, which are about a metre high, are placed in a narrow S-shape to ensure they keep motorcyclists off pavements but remain wide enough to allow pedestrians and wheelchair-users to pass through.
They have been installed in many districts in the capital including Watthana and Din Daeng.
Under the Maintaining Cleanliness and Tidiness of the City Act 1992, motorcyclists are not allowed to use public pavements, which are reserved for pedestrians.
A curve bar rail to keep motorcyclists off a pavement, built by a local school near Thong Lor BTS station, is said to be more practical. (Photo by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)
Boontham Huiprasert, Watthana district office chief, said he backed keeping the S-Guards in place due to their practicality. Wheelchair users can file a complaint with the district office if they find the poles inconvenient, after which officials will inspect the site and adjust the poles if necessary, officials said.
The decision to use the poles is made at a district level rather than being a measure imposed from above by City Hall, said Mr Boontham. They were installed partly to compensate for a shortage of tessakit (city inspectors) in the district office, he said, after the office received a litany of complaints from pedestrians that the pavements were being abused by motorcyclists.