Facilities for the disabled in the commercial districts of Bangkok--are they adequate?

ABSTRACT

Equal rights for the disabled are widely accepted, at least in principle. Basic public facilities for these people are minimum requirements. We performed a cross-sectional descriptive survey of three basic facilities (wheelchair ramps, elevators and modified toilet) in public buildings, of more than 5 floors in the Silom and Siam business areas of Bangkok. Of a total of 62 buildings surveyed, no building had all three facilities. The slope ramps, elevators and modified toilets were found in 26, 49, and 1 buildings respectively. Facilities for the disabled in this area of Bangkok were inadequate. All public buildings should provide appropriate facilities special legislation may be warranted.