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Published on April 22, 2008

Pennapa Hongthong

pennapa@nationgroup.com

The Nation

It gave me a strong appreciation of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) for providing Braille blocks for the blind.

Unfortunately, the appreciation lasted only for a short time.

The blind man suddenly stopped in front of a tree.

"What's in front of me, sir?" he asked loudly.

I asked whether the markings on the footpath tell him when there are obstacles in front of him.

"No," he said. "The blocks just suddenly ended here. I'm not sure if a tree or crossroad or what is in front me."

I looked at the yellow Braille blocks on the footpath. They abruptly ended there and started again from behind the tree. He said the sudden end of Braille blocks on the footpath was only one factor that makes it hard for blind people to walk around Bangkok.

A big problem is the quality of the footpaths. Many are bumpy and paved with broken bricks. Though there are Braille blocks, it is very difficult for the blind to recognise which is a Braille block and which is a bumpy footpath.

I am certain that the BMA knows of the problem. Last year, it spent huge amounts of money to improve the 1.5-kilometre sidewalks of Rajdamri Road for disabled people. The governor, Apirak Kosayodhin, said the improvement was based on recommendations by disabled people who revealed many problems including sewage covers with grills wide enough for wheelchairs to get stuck in and the lack of warning buttons for the blind at road crossings.

That was BMA's first road improvement step for the disabled. Unfortunately, there has been no second one.

Actually walking in Bangkok is not unpleasant and dangerous only for the disabled. Many footpaths have turned into a market where you can buy everything from food to clothes, from hand-made bags to copycat brand-name products. During rush hour, pedestrians have to share pavements with motorcyclists trying to avoid the traffic. 

I do not think I can hope to have footpath improvements with the current governor. Not only because he is busy fighting a corruption charge, but also because his term will end in a few months.

So I am looking forward to the candidates for the governor's post. I hope some will have policies to take care of pedestrians - disabled or otherwise. I encourage everyone to consider this issue before casting their vote.