Thailand Travelers With Disabilities

Thailand is ill-equipped to accommodate disabled travelers and has a poor record of accepting people with disabilities. Many Thais believe people with physical disabilities were immoral in past lives and are bearers of bad luck. Furthermore, it is also a cultural belief that a person’s physical disabilities are emblematic of other mental and emotional disabilities. Though these attitudes still persist in Thailand, they are slowly changing. The 1997 Constitution and 1998 Declaration on the Rights of Thai People with Disabilities have reflected the government’s attempts to give the issue national attention, as well as to facilitate the participation of people with disabilities in society. In 2001, Thailand received the Franklin D. Roosevelt International Disability Award for its progress toward fulfilling the goals set out by the United Nations World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons. Bold disabled travelers will find many people eager to aid them.

However, hard limitations remain. Hospitals cannot be relied upon to replace broken braces or prostheses. Orthopedic materials, even in Bangkok, are often faulty at best. Most public transportation is completely inaccessible. Rural areas have no sidewalks, and larger cities are packed with curbs and steps.

Those with disabilities should inform airlines and hotels of their disabilities when making reservations; some time may be needed to prepare special accommodations. Call ahead to restaurants, museums, and other facilities to find out if they are wheelchair-accessible. Guide-dog owners should inquire as to the quarantine policies beforehand.

Accessible Journeys, 35 W. Sellers Ave., Ridley Park, USA (☎+1-800-846-4537; www.disabilitytravel.com). Designs tours for wheelchair users and slow walkers. The site has tips and forums for all travelers.
Flying Wheels Travel, 143 W. Bridge St., Owatonna, MN 55060, USA (☎+1-507-451-5005; www.flyingwheelstravel.com). Specializes in escorted trips to Europe for people with physical disabilities; plans custom trips worldwide.
Mobility International USA (MIUSA), P.O. Box 10767, Eugene, OR 97440, USA (☎+1-541-343-1284; www.miusa.org). Provides a variety of books and other publications containing information for travelers with disabilities.
Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality (SATH), 347 5th Ave., Ste. 610, New York, NY 10016, USA (☎+1-212-447-7284; www.sath.org). An advocacy group that publishes free online travel information. Annual membership US$49, students and seniors US$29.