Sunday 31 October 2010

Patpong night market; child care in resorts necessary.

October 1, 2010
Patpong night market, Silom, Bangkok

Before you go and visit this night marktet make sure your children are well taking care of in the resort or hotel where you are staying. Because this night market where you can buy a imitation of almost everything is not the place to be for young children. But that is of course my Western opinion.

Patpong night market is wheelchair accessible and wellknown for its bars and girls. It is the famous red light district in Bangkok. Is this red light district in Bangkok accesible for wheelchairs? Don't worry. You can walk safe here. The people outside the bars try to lure you in. And it is up to you if you want.Only the menu of the "restaurant" is a little bit different. The first course is "Pussy Pingpong". But in case you like to watch people strolling by take a beer or soda on one of the terraces. It is fun to look what is happening in these streets and see that even small Thai children are present together with their parents who run a shop, market stall or work in one of the many bars.

Patpong night market can be reached with BTS Skytrain. You have to get out at the for wheelchairs adapted station Chong Nonsi or MRT Subway leaving at station Silom with access for handicapped. For more information about this public transport read this post with Google map.

Thursday 28 October 2010

Bangkok BTS Skytrain MRT Subway Airlink to Airport Suvarnabhumi

October 2, 2010
Bangkok, Raillink Suvarnabhumi to Phaya Thai.

Last time when we were visiting Bangkok we had to pick up a friend at the Airport Suvarnabhumi. We like to explore public transport in Bangkok. Why? For one we don't have a car. For two in a car you are always caught up in traffic. And three it is a challenge. We travel in and with an powered wheelchair. We already have discovered that the MRT Subway is wheelchair accessible and some BTS Skytrain stations also.

But now we know and can tell everyone the Airlink / Raillink to Bangkok airport Suvarnabhumi has access for wheelchairs too. Perfect. Within no time you are in the center of Bangkok. Price 15 Baht one way.

And down here you can find all the stations. When you click on one particular station you will get access info. Sometimes I have add a picture, some nice sights or shopping malls within walking distance of the stations.


View Wheelchair access BTS Skytrain MRT Subway Airlink Raillink Airport in a larger map

Saturday 23 October 2010

Taxi for wheelchair in Thailand

2 October 2010,
Bangkok Airport Suvarnabhumi
Driver Keang, Jan and his friend Fred.

Guests of our wheelchair accommodations in Hua Hin often ask for airport transfer in adapated taxis. Where they can book these transfers, if we have addresses where they can get information, etc.

We always answer in the same way. We offer this service for a reasonable price. And our guests don't pay us for this transfer but directly to the driver. So we don't make money on this service. The company gets paid instantly and the driver gets a tip, hopefully. Price at this moment 3.500 Baht one way.

So here is how we help our guests. We make arrangements for your taxi together with our staff in Thailand. The driver drives to our villa or apartment to pick up our ramps, drives from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport Bangkok, waits at Arrivals, helps with the luggage, helps with getting into the car and then drives our guests to the accommodation of their choice. On his way to Hua Hin the driver will stop at a gas station for a sanitary stop, to buy some drinks and/or food. And most of the time you can even find an ATM.

Are you looking for a wheelchair accessible taxi transfer from the Suvarnabhumi Airport to Hua Hin then send an email to info@gehandicapten.com . Provide us with name and address of your destiny and we will arrange your transfer.










Sunday 17 October 2010

Accessible restaurants in Hua Hin

September 24, 2010.
Hua Hin Center.

Downtown Hua Hin many good seafood restaurants are located on Naresdamri Road. The restaurant in the picture is Sangthai Seafood. One out of two restaurants which are frequently visited by Thai, foreigners, falang and tourists.

They have great seafood. We like the fried sun dried squid, the charcoal grilled tiger prawn, steamed fish in lemon sauce, fish fillet in curry, etc.

The service is good. The waiters and waitresses keep an eye on you and your table. They refill your glass, they serve complementary fruit at the end and the people are friendly.

The accessibility of the restaurant is perfect. And since a little while they even have a wheelchair accessible restroom. The first restaurant in this street who saw the potential of more customers. And for this they deserve at least one visit of every wheelchair using person.

Where to find Sangthai Seafood? Coming from Tira Tiraa wheelchair accessible apartment you walk, 100 meters, towards Soi 70. Turn left onto Soi 70 and walk down to Petchkasem road, 160 meter. Cross the road and continue walking on Soi 55. All the way down to the sea, 350 meter. You will see Sangthai seafood in front of you.

There are more wheelchair accessible restaurants. You can have a look at the pictures of these restaurants and even see where they are located.

Have a nice diner.

Saturday 16 October 2010

Tira Tiraa - Hua Hin - apartment for rent

Studio74
February 2010

Do you like this little dog? Do you want it to see this Thai art in person? Then come and stay in Studio74. Well decorated with Art from Thai artists whome we met personally. All amenities are available in Studio74. And it is conveniently located in the center of Hua Hin.

Studio 74 is for rent and can accommodate 2  persons. This accommodation can be rented seperately but also in combination with the wheelchair accessible apartment Tira Tiraa on the grondfloor.

So Studio74 is ideal for individual travelling tourists, but also for family members, care takers, travel companions of wheelchair users. And moreover we give a very nice discount when our cusomers rent both accommodations at the same time.

Guests of both accommodations can use the facilities of the condominium building like swimming pool, fitness room, sauna, computers, etc.

Friday 15 October 2010

Wheelchair accessible hotels Bangkok Thailand

October 2, 2010

Sofitel Hotel, Silom, Bangkok

Like we already have proved before we always try a different hotel. Why? Because we want to tell our customers and fellow wheelchair users who want to visit Bangkok which hotel is accessible to them.
Well this time we made a reservaton in the Sofitel Hotel Silom in Bangkok. Why do we want to stay here? It is Silom. Very alive at night, nice shopping, nightmarket Patpong, and accessible public transport all   within walking distance.

But what a disappointment for a wheelchair user like me. At the time of booking the promised me they had an accessible geust room. When I arrived they didn't have a room like this. The bedroom was okay after moving some furniture. But he bathroom was completely inaccessible. Two small 30cm doors turning outwards into the already narrow hallway. So turning into the bathroom in your wheelchair was absolutely impossible. The door into the shower was even smaller. No grip near the toilet. A built in wash basin with no space underneath for my knees. And for wheelchair users a horrible useless bathtub. So for one night my wife and I managed.

But the second surprise came the morning after. The breakfast restaurant had two steps. And like we all know a powered wheelchair is to heavy to lift. So we had to make a complaint at the front desk. Two options were open. Breakfast at the 27th floor or room service. Well we had breakfast like we expected, but the relaxing stay we had hoped for was gone.








Wednesday 13 October 2010

Accommodations Wheelchair Thailand mapped

Google Earth is a great way to show where our holiday homes are located.

Wheelchair Thailand rents out 6 different wheelchair accessible holiday homes for disabled people. These accommodations are located in France, Hungary, The Netherlands and Thailand. The adapted houses in Hua Hin, Thailand are mapped. Other location of Wheelchair Thailand / Gehandicapten.com will follow. So everyone can see that our holiday homes are located conveniently in comparison with our competition. Within walking / rolling distance you always will find restaurants, shops, supermarket, markets, grocery stores, beach, sea/lake, etc.

You can navigate on this map. Arrows left, right, up and down. Plus and minus to zoom in and out. You can even drag with your mouse.
Yellow house signs are the accommodations of Wheelchair Thailand. And green signs of the competition. The red triangle is Soi Bintabaht, the red light district, in the center of Hua Hin across the Hilton Hotel. Click on these signs and you will get more information.


Sunday 10 October 2010

Airlink Skytrain BTS Subway MRT wheelchair accessible Bangkok

October 2, 2010
Airport Rail link Cityline, Bangkok

Yes, we did it again. After we heave heard about the airlink from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the city center of Bangkok and our experiences with BTS Skytrain and MRT Subway we just had to try it.

Since we were going to pick up a good friend from the airport we started the day two hours earlier to explore the Airlink with cityline and expressline. Just like we promised on many different Weblogs.

We have explored the route on the airport from the arrival terminal to the airport link concourse. We ask about the accessibility at the information desk. And after buying tickets (15 Baht each one way) we took of. At every station we have tried to make pictures, looked for elevators and wheelchair signes. We stayed in the train till Phaya Thai, got out and bought a return tickets. And made a picture of the wheelchair accessible restroom. Yeah, they really understand it now. I'm so happy. There is also an accessible restroom at the Makkasan station according to the leaflet.

We don't want to withold you the pictures so take a look at my Picasa webalbum of Airlink. You can zoom in if you want.

When you are at Phaya Thai it is just a short walk to the shopping district Siam Square, Siam Paragon, MBK, Panthip Plaza, Big C, etc. This is shoppers delight. Have fun.

Tell your experience here in a comment.

Saturday 9 October 2010

Scams and sweet talk in Hua Hin, Thailand

When you visit Hua Hin regularly like we do you get to know people and they get to know you. So wherever you go you will meet them once in a while.

Sales people in the streets of Hua Hin sell everything. Food, drinks, clothes, souvenirs, etc. The women in traditional clothes walk the streets every night all year round. We meet them every time when we are in Hua Hin. They sweet talk you into buying souvenirs. Our good friend Fred bought 4 necklaces, 3 bracelets and a fake tiger tooth. They try to charge him 2000 Baht. At last he paid 1000 and got one bracelet for free after the deal. And so did I. So no scams here.



The video was shot in Soi Bintabaht, the red light district of Hua Hin. The ladies / women, even young girls are working in the bars to support their family. The women try to lure you into the bar to have a drink. Some bars are wheelchair accessible. When you buy a drink they expect you to buy one for them too. And after a few drinks they tell me: "I can take care of you, mister". A wheelchair is just a minor obstacle. So be careful. Take a set amount of money and leave your credit card at home. And the second warning. When you take a woman to your house or hotel make sure you have save sex. Take you shots before coming to Thailand. And have a checkup after your holiday. Because sexual transmitted diseases are not the kind of souvenir you want to take home.

Friday 8 October 2010

Last minute Accessible Pool Villa, Hua Hin, Thailand

Pool Villa,
Hua Hin, Thailand

Welcome to our wheelchair accessible poolvilla, Hua Hin, Thailand.

This villa is adapted for people in wheelchairs. My wife and I rent out this house to fellow disabled and their families and care takers. The villa is suitable for up to 7 people. Housekeeper Audom will perform all household duties. Our administrator Pannida V. will welcome you.

Today we have an offer you cannot refuse. We give 20% discount on the regular price per night when you book for at least 10 nights between 16 November and 6 December 2010.

This price includes rental fee, housekeeper service, laundry service, water, drinking water, energy up to 40kWh/day, free use of computer and internet, free use of aids/medical equipment, free use of bed/bath/beach and kitchen linen, free diner at night of arrival, free grocery package for first breakfast and cold drinks.

Airport transfer for 3.500 Baht / +/- 83 Euro.

For availability click here.

Hope to meet you in Hua Hin.

For reservation please email to info@gehandicapten.com

FACEBOOK, here we come

October 8,2010

Today we have started to use our facebook account WheelchairThailand Hua Hin.

Discounts, news, updates, offers and items for free will be published here. Keep on track and you can benefit.

Sunday 3 October 2010

Wheelchair accessible holidays homes

Where can you find our holidays homes?
Who are we?
What do we do?
And why are we doing this?

Sometimes people ask how many holiday homes we have. We always answer them truthfully. We have 6 houses. And when we are talking about these houses we are feeling lucky we were able to start these wheelchair accessible houses with help of our family. And in this way we like to thank them for their support and their trust.

For those people who don't know where these houses are located we wrote down a summary.

1 Velence, Hungary, bungalow for 6 people near Lake Velence at 45 km of Budapest. Administrator Misi M.
2 France, Canet en Roussillon, Ground floor apartment for 6 people. Administrators Johanna and Theo d B.
3 Coconut Grove, Hua Hin, Thailand, Wheelchair accessible villa in Thailand for 6 people with housekeeper Audom. Administrator Pannida Visser V, nickname Peanut.
4 Tira Tiraa, Hua Hin, Thailand, groundfloor apartment for 4 people. Cleaning lady Fon, she speaks English. Pannida V, nickname Peanut, welcomes our guests.
5 Studio74, Hua Hin, Thailand, studio, not wheelchair accessible, for 2 people/care takers, cleaning lady Fon, she speaks English. Pannida V, nickname Peanut, welcomes our guests.
6 Almere, The Netherlands, groundfloor apartment Almere for 2 persons next to our own bungalow. Wheelchair accessible. Cleaning lady Sonja V. Administrator Johanna F.

Who are we?
I'm Hanneke Fronik. Take a look at our profile picture. We are in the picture. We have nothing to hide.

What do we do?
We rent out these houses. Nothing more, nothing less.
We are taking pride in what we do.

Sometimes people try to copy our houses, our website, our name. We know of one guy, Michel S., in Hua Hin who was telling a Norwegian women that he is Jan and that he owns an apartment in the South of France. Within three hours after posting this guy called and threaten to make trouble.
Sometimes people think we are in the real estate business too. Absolutely not. We don't sell houses, we don't develop projects and we don't own holiday resorts. And neither does our staff.
Together with her Dutch girlfriend GvdR our previous housekeeper P sold us out to three falang home owners JS, CR and AV.
So what does this prove? We are good, very good in what we do and they want to get better using our knowledge and our good reputation to get there.

And why are we doing this?
Because it is difficult to find a really well accessible holiday home? We guarantee people our houses can be used by wheelchair users and mobility impaired people. And we guarantee these houses are conveniently located.

In case you have questions or remarks about us, our houses or our staff at these locations don't hesitate to email.