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Published on December 12, 2007

They took part in the "Political parties social policies" programme, hosted by Krissana Chaiyarat.

People Power Party's Leelawadee Watcharobol said her party would use the media. "The media can communicate to the public concerns about the problems of disabled people," she said. Leelawadee cited the television show "Joh Jai", which produced a reality show about a blind person.

"People learned the life of a blind person from the media; the gap between others and disabled people will be reduced and it can destroy inequality in social," she said.

She said the party would offer tax incentives to companies that employed the physically disabled.

Democrat Buranat Samutarak said helping the disabled was on its agenda and it would seek to ensure their access to education.

Nikorn Chamnong of Chart Thai said the disabled had equal rights and the party would work to ensure their right to employment. He said the state had to work to reduce accidents that caused many injuries, too.

Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana will reduce taxes for families looking after disabled relatives. Vocational training schools for the disabled will be a priority, explained representative Bhichit Rattakul.

According to Juthamas Siriwan of Puea Pandin, it would improve facilities for the disabled within a year. It will rely on volunteers to coordinate this work and to get to the bottom of problems facing the disabled.

Matchima Thipataya's Thanakorn Wangboonkong-chana said it would pay a Bt1,500-a-month allowance to the disabled. He denied this was populist, saying it was "social welfare". "Some disabled people cannot take care of themselves. The allowance is important for their living," he said.

They agreed in principle money could come from the government two- and three-digit lottery.

Sucheera Pinijparakarn

 The Nation