The Minister of Social Development and Human Security, Mr. Santi Promphat, signed the MOU with Big C Supercenter, which agreed to hire disabled persons to work at its store and food outlets.
Thailand joins the United Nations in observing the United Nations
International Day of Persons with Disabilities, on 3 December each year. The
designated theme for the observance of the 2012 International Day of Persons
with Disabilities is “Removing barriers to create an inclusive and accessible
society for all." The day aims to promote an understanding of disability
issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons
with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived
from the inclusion of persons with disabilities in every aspect of life.
Minister Santi said that the Ministry of Social Development and Human
Security and the Council of Disabled People of Thailand are joining hands in
organizing an event to mark the 2012 International Day of Persons with
Disabilities at Challenger Hall, IMPACT, Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi province
on 3 December.
He said that the Government is well aware of the importance of disabled
persons and intends to develop and promote their rights and opportunities. For
instance, he said, disabled persons have the right to have access to free
medical care and education.
The Government has offered a monthly allowance of 500 baht to people with
disabilities across Thailand. Various workplaces have been urged to provide
facilities and services for disabled persons. A commitment has also been made
to make public transport more accessible for disabled persons.
Thailand has enforced the Regulation on the Employment of Persons with
Disabilities, which mandates public and private organizations to hire persons
with disabilities at a ratio of one disabled person to every 100 regular
employees. The Regulation on the Sign Language Service has also been enforced,
which enables deaf people to ask for the service 24 hours a day for medical and
health services, job applications, lodging complaints, or other services.
Thailand has also benefited from the active leadership of persons with
disabilities, such as Senator Monthian Buntan, who has been elected to the
United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities for the
term 2013-2016.
Around 15 percent of the world’s population, or one billion people, live
with disabilities. Statistics in Thailand show that, out of the Thai population
of 65 million, 1.87 million are disabled persons, accounting for 2.9 percent of
the population.
(thailand.prd.go.th)