Bang Pa In Palace and handcraft centre

March 4, 2011
Bang Pa In, Handcraft centre

It has been a month since we wrote our last post. We have been visiting our wheelchair accessible apartment in France and afterwards our detached bungalow for wheelchair users in Veelence, Hungary. Both accommodations are ready for the new season. so time to write on our Blog about our experiences.

Since we have a wheelchair accessible van for transfers and trips of our guests we have been using it to visit some places. One of these is Bang Pa In Palace and the handcraft center.

The palace is beautiful. It is partly wheelchair accessible but they don't have ramps into the buidlings or an accessible restroom. The staff of the park was so kind to show us the ground floor toilets of the staff, which were accessible with some help. Paths are not always comfortable, but it is worthwhile. Take a look on your way to the temples in Ayutthaya.

Another nice option to visit is the handcraft center in Bang Pa In. A beautiful Thai style building is accommodating a big hand craft shop which sells purses, glassware, fabrics, clothes, furniture, etc., etc. Next this building you will find the workshops where all these items are made. The are open in the front and the artist don't mind you taking a look. On the premises you will also find a aquarium of fresh water fish which can be found in Thai rivers and lakes. And a few big brid cages whith Thai birds. All wheelchair accessible. But don't expect a wheelchair accessible toilet.

In case you depend on a wheelchair accessible toilet you can find one at the exit of the toll way from Bangkok to Bang Pa In and at one of the temples in Ayutthaya. More info about locations of sights on our map.

Accessible hotels Bangkok

March 2, 2011
Accessible Bangkok, Rama Gardens Hotel

Last time we spoke about a hotel situated at the bank of the Chao Praya River and close to a BTS Station. This time we selected a hotel close to the old international airport Don Muang.

Why this hotel? Because it is close to a few nice tourist attractions like Chatuchak weekend market and several big shopping malls. Even Ayutthya is within one hour drive.

The hotel is very good wheelchair accessible. It has ramp access into the hotel and the elavators are wide enough for wheelchairs and scooters. The rooms on the fourth floor are spacious and well adapted with sliding door, roll in shower and grips next to the toilet for a left hand transfer.
The hotel has many facilities and several restaurants where you depend on, because outside the hotel are no food stalls or other restaurants. The quality of the meals is very good for reasonable hotel prices.

The hotel is located near the highway. So easy access by minivan, taxi or car to all directions is garantueed.

For more information contact us by email info@gehandicapten.com

Wheelchair accessible transport in Thailand

Already a week ago we wrote about our wheelchair accessible Toyota Commuter minivan. In a previous post you could have seen a picture of it. And in Hua Hin you sure cannot miss it while it is driving around.
Now we have made a movie with help of a nice Thai lady who take care of Jan in the morning. She is making some shots while I'm driving the car. So have a look up here and see how (powered) wheelchairs can be restraint with the Q-straint system. Also manual wheelchairs and scooters can be transported in this taxi.

Guests of wheelchair accessible Pool villa Coconut Grove and wheelchair accessible apartment Tira Tiraa get a FREE TRANSFER from Bangkok Airport or a Bangkok Hotel to Hua Hin.*
On request our guests can book this car with driver for trips to Bangkok, Cha-am, Pranburi, Damnoen Saduak Floating market, Kanchanaburi / River Kwai, Tiger temple, Rose Garden, etc.

The handicap van can also take bookings of people who stay in other resorts, hotels and/or individuals who are coming to stay in the Hua Hin area and want safe transfers from Bangkok to Hua Hin visa versa.

For booking and / or more information please contact us by email info@gehandicapten.com  

* Conditions apply.

Safe transport for Wheelchair Thailand alias Gehandicapten.com

Hua Hin, 10 Februari 2011
Company car

For many reasons people love to visit Thailand. The most appreciated reasons are the good food, the friendly and helpfull people and the climat in winter.
That and the fact that my muscles are working better is the reason I visit Thailand regurlarly.

Untill now I travelled around in a minivan from a taxi company. They took out a seat and I used my movable ramps to get into the van aware from the danger that the ramps can slip at any time. It happened a few times and the people around were not fast enough to hold me and my wheelchair. And in all these years I didn't feal really safe, because my wheelchair was not secured to the floor and the van had no seat belts for wheelchair users. Just like everyone else in Thailand with a "wheelchair accessible van". Some of them try to fix your wheelchair to the floor but they use suitecase straps and tie your wheelchair to the other seats at just one point.

To travel safe I have bought a Toyota Commuter minivan in October last year. It was delivered in January 2011. Since then we have been to a company in Bangkok who adapted the van for wheelchair transport. Jan has worked for a car adaptation company for 18 years. He guided the staff of the Bangkok company through the process of adaptions. And we have been to @Sticker co in Bangkok who fixed our logo. The logo was designed by a Dutch Company earlier last year.

Now we have a beautiful van in which I can travel safe. The van has fixed ramp access for wheelchairs and scooters imported from Germany. And original Q-straint wheelchair and occupant secure system all according to the latest ADA and European standards.

But not only I will benefit.

We will transfer all our customers for free from Suvarnabhumi Airport or a Bangkok hotel to our accommodations in Hua Hin.*

Why? We don't want people to use the unfitted cars. We want people to travel safe. The Toyota Commuter can accommodate two (powered wheelchairs / scooters) and 6 additional passengers with luggage and medical equipment.

So now safe transfer / transport for disabled is one more good reason to choose for Gehandicapten.com
besides good reasons as location, price, personal service and a lifetime of experience in being a wheelchair user.

In case you have any questions don't hesitate to email to info@gehandicapten.com .

* Conditions apply.

Accessible holidays in Amazing Thailand 3

Accessible hotels in Hua Hin, Thailand are booming business. In the previous post I talked about a beautiful 5 star hotel where we have stayed 5 years ago.

The hotel in this post is new. It opened its doors in winter of 2010. It is located between Petchkasem Road and the beach, opposite Soi 98.

We have visited this hotel once and it is wheelchair accessible till you come to the swimming pool and beach area. The beach cannot be reached and also the beach / swimming pool bar and restaurant is out of reach for wheelchair users. The deck chairs are near the restaurant. So your companions can not have a sun bed.

Never the less it is a beautiful hotel and it has excellent service. The price is around 7.000 Baht for a double room ex breakfast, 7,7% vat and 10% Service charge.

The hotel has no medical equipment and does not offer wheelchair accessible transfers or transport for disabled.

Compare this to the pool villa Coconut Grove.

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.