Speaking in the weekly program “Yingluck Government Meets
the People” on 23 February 2013, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra cited the
care for the disabled, the elderly, women, and children as part of the
Government’s policy to tackle social disparity.
The Prime Minister stated that she wanted to see serious
campaigns to make travel easier and more convenient not only for people with
disabilities but also for older persons. Since Thailand is becoming an ageing
country because of the growing number of older persons, she stressed the need
to prepare facilities for them.
In this regard, the Prime Minister called on all agencies
to act in accordance with a ministerial regulation, stipulating that all public
facilities, including buildings, transportation, and other services must be
made accessible for people with disabilities. Without public facilities
suitable for them, disabled persons will face difficulties when traveling to
various places for learning, working, or social activities.
The Prime Minister said that she was informed by many
disabled persons that they had to rely on taxis for transportation, which is
expensive. All relevant agencies must join hands in modifying the public
transport system and pavements to make them more suitable for the disabled.
Pregnant women would also benefit from the facilities. She said that society
should not regard disabled and older persons as burdens. This group of people
should be empowered, so that they will be able to live happily with others.
The Government wanted to see all ministries work with the
private sector in order to provide disabled persons with more facilities and
employment opportunities. Although many companies have given good cooperation,
the Government wanted to step up the campaigns on this matter. Altogether, 17
agencies would be called for a meeting to accelerate the translation of the
ministerial regulation into action.
She pointed out that various areas at Government House
would be modified, so that people on wheelchairs would be able to move in and
out easily. The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security has already
adjusted rules and regulations on facilities and services for disabled persons.
All government agencies should start first, since people often come for
official contact. So certain facilities should be modified for the
accessibility of people with disabilities, and the modification is unlikely to
require high costs.
The Prime Minister said that she had learned from the
Association of the Physically Handicapped of Thailand that a “universal design”
had been introduced, which was suitable for the disabled, and that this design
could be adjusted for the use of everyone. She said that the Government would
like to see Thailand become a center for the development of such a design for
both disabled and older persons.
The Government also wanted to develop tourism for people
with disabilities and older persons by removing barriers that prevent them from
enjoying travel. Making tourism accessible to this group of people from various
countries would make Thailand better known in the world at large.
(thailand.prd.go.th)