Suporntum Mongkolsawadi
(seated right) and his committee presents flowers to Chatchart Sitthipan
from the Ministry of Transport.
Phasakorn Channgam
The Transport Ministry plans to rush action on a proposal to add 3,000
public buses nationwide dedicated to moving the disabled.
Suporntum Mongkolsawadi, secretary for the Redemptorist Foundation for
People with Disabilities, led a group of disabled group’s representatives to
meet with Transport Ministry official Chatchart Sitthipan Nov. 16 in
Bangkok.
While the conversation covered all modes of accessible transportation for
the disabled, the discussed centered on a proposal to provide 3,000 buses
nationwide to shuttle those in wheelchairs and suffering other disabilities
around their communities.
Suporntum noted that in addition to the vehicles
themselves, the government might also need to provide training for drivers
and attendants.
Chatchart said he planned to brief all relevant agencies on the idea within
a week in hopes of speeding implementation.
Disabled groups would then get an opportunity to make presentations on the
proposal next month, followed by drafting of legislative language to be
delivered to the Cabinet for consideration.
“The increase of 3,000 buses that will accommodate the disabled transport
must undergo a careful discussion by investigating appropriate routes which
may require the need of experts to manage and monitor the results,”
Chatchart said. “In this regard, there will be a hotline service and message
to facilitate the deaf.”
