Disabled Parking

[Big Boy]

I've seen a few disabled parking spaces at Makro and Market Village. Bays are clearly marked, but there are no rules posted that I have seen (haven't looked that hard).

Do Thailand have the equivalent of the Blue Badge? If not, how does somebody qualify to use one of these spaces?

About a year ago I had a significant problem with one of my legs, and for a couple of months I could have benefitted from using one of these spaces to reduce the distance I had to walk. Of course, not knowing the rules, I didn't.

Are there any rules, or are they reserved so that Hi-So Thais don't have to carry their wallets so far?

[Edit] I have absolutely no need to use a disabled space now - just curious.

[dtaai-maai]

how does somebody qualify to use one of these spaces?

About a year ago I had a significant problem with one of my legs, and for a couple of months I could have benefitted from using one of these spaces to reduce the distance I had to walk. Of course, not knowing the rules, I didn't.[/b]

I imagine you qualify by being disabled in some way.
Some years ago, I was in a wheelchair for a while and then using walking sticks. We used such spaces if available without looking for rules and never had a problem.

Stop worrying about rules, BB, you're not in the UK any more...

[Bristolian]

I visit Makro frequently and the disable parking places have a wheeled barrier stopping anyone from parking there without the assistance of the parking attendant. They seem to be used correctly and well managed. I have never seen any disabled stickers on cars so assume that you simply explain the situation to the parking attendant.

[Big Boy]

Stop worrying about rules, BB, you're not in the UK any more...

Unfortunately, if I don't know, I do worry.

I have never seen any disabled stickers on cars so assume that you simply explain the situation to the parking attendant.

That in itself can be traumatic if Thais can't understand my Thai spoken with a Janner accent.

[Nereus]

This shit will land me in goal one day! Yes, there is a sticker with a blue coloured wheelchair symbol, but just where you get one only Budda knows!

I have pretty much given up trying to use them, much better for all concerned if I walk 20 or 30 metres. There was one recently in Bangkok where I did park in one and when I came back to the car some **ick had squeezed in alongside and I could not get in the drivers side. I see this many times in the shopping centres I go to. Another time I came back and found a taxi parked right in front of me that was locked in gear. He needed to go to the panel shop after I did manage to get out.

The so called "attendants" will just stand there and watch it happen. Another just recently tried to stop me from parking in a marked bay, until I got out and after him with my walking stick! He took off and did not come back, but the point is they must know about the stickers, as that is what he was jabbering about.

Ironically enough, just recently there was a Thai guy giving the attendant a bollocking about how the cars were parked, and he said to me, "it is just not right"!

In Oz we get the stickers via a Doctor, and Christ help anybody that gets caught parking in a disabled place without displaying one.

[lomuamart]

I saw a video (Youtube probably) earlier this morning of some able bodied idiot parking his car in a disabled spot at a mall in BKK.
He got out with wife and kid and the attendants stood by as some member of the Thai public gave him a roasting for parking there. It came to pushing and shoving and almost fisticuffs but the driver eventually went on his merry way.
Wish I could find it again. I have looked.

[dtaai-maai]

I think this is what you mean.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/4 ... ed-parking

Its only real interest is the lengths the chap filming it goes to to explain, very reasonably, why this is wrong. Extremely unThai in so many ways, but let's hope the attitude catches on.

Lots of talking, all in Thai and very little action.

Of course, the matter could easily have been resolved with a few blasts on the whistle. Everyone would undoubtedly have cleared off sharpish.

[bsdk1960]

unfortunately it's very common in all society that it's only me,me and my nearest who count,and disrespectfull pricks like these should have their vehicle moved away without a warning and get a big fine and beating in the a.s with a wet morning paper.

[Big Boy]

I've been wondering about it for some time, but that is the same video that prompted my post.

[Bristolian]

I saw a video (Youtube probably) earlier this morning of some able bodied idiot parking his car in a disabled spot at a mall in BKK.
He got out with wife and kid and the attendants stood by as some member of the Thai public gave him a roasting for parking there. It came to pushing and shoving and almost fisticuffs but the driver eventually went on his merry way.
Wish I could find it again. I have looked.

You are right but sometimes you need to be careful in identifying a disabled person. My grandson lives in the UK and has CF. At first glance he looks a perfectly healthy young boy but I can assure you that during his bad periods he becomes breathless in a very short distance and can be left gasping for air. My daughter has the required blue disabled sticker but often is verbally abused by others when she parks in a disabled parking space when to others they both appear normal, fit and well.

[pensorter]

They have a handy section at Tesco Pranburi round the back. Wide disabled spaces clearly marked with big signs, well laid out next to special spaces for mother & kids- Pic of Pram etc. I regularly park there due to badly damaged leg. BUT It's often full of pickups & Thai drivers that have nothing to do with disabled people Or kids, and they are often Delivery vehicles to the Supermarket.
Looks great, but no policing + no thoughtfulness means it's a joke. Even had someone double park on me in a disabled space so it was virtually impossible to get back into my car.
Basically most Thais simply don't give a damn. or act ignorant for convenience.
Glad to hear someone cares in Bangkok!
rant over.

[HHTel]

I agree that the disabled spaces at Makro are well controlled. I use them when my aged mother is in the country and each time I've had to call an attendant to allow us to park.

There are also spaces at the airport and again they are cordoned off so you have to call an attendant to open the space for you. They will check to make sure you're using it ligitimately.

There's been a great improvement in the dozen years I have been here. Back in those days you wouldn't find disabled spaces or disabled toilets. Now, most service stations on the main highways have both.

[hhfarang]

disabled toilets

At La Rumba I saw something I haven't seen here before. It was a drop down arm beside the toilet so that when not needed it was up against the wall, but when needed you could drop it down to provide an arm to help with getting up off the toilet seat! I don't need this yet, but I thought it was interesting as I've never seen one here before.... and I might have needed it if I had a couple of more glasses of wine!