Food for winners, survivors of the fittest.

Elephant Polo Tournament
King's Cup Hua Hin
5 September 2011

Last Monday a great spectacle began and Gehandicapten.com was present with a few guests of their wheelchair accessible accommodations to witness the ceremonial opening of the King's Cup Elephant Polo Tournament in Hua Hin. We saw the Parade and the Elephant buffet and were amazed how well trained  these elephants were and how close we could get to make some pictures.

Twelve international teams will compete for the King's Cup. From Tuesday till Sunday matches will be held with the semi-finals on Saturday and the finals on Sunday.  A Royal Representative will handover the King's Cup to the winner. More information about the matches and the rules can be found in this booklet.

The tournament is held on the Somdej Phra 16th Infantry Division Suriyothai Camp in Hua Hin opposite Suan Son Beach. Just follow the road signs after the flyover and you will get their. The entrance is free and it is wheelchair accessible. Only keep in mind that the tournament is held on grass grounds and although it is fairly smooth it can be a bit bumpy to you and your wheelchair. And in case you use a manual wheelchair you might need some assistance.

A few tips. It is an open area fully exposed to the sun and rain. So take at least a hat, sun screen, drinking water and a umbrella with you to see these giant suvivors of the fittest.

Have fun.

Bangkok Pratunam wheelchair accessible shopping

16 July 2011,
Bangkok, Pratunam district

A week ago I went to Bangkok to have my wheelchair fixed. Of this I made a movie and wrote two Blog messages. For a overnight stay I booked a hotel room for disabled at Baiyoke Sky Hotel and had a look at the Pratunam whole sale market.

For this I had to drive my wheelchair into the small streets of Bangkok, Pratunam district. The small alleys are alive at the afternoon and evening. And when you are looking for cheap clothes by the dozen this is the place to go. But in the area are many shops, shopping malls and big stores where almost everything is for sale. MBK, Siam Paragon, Siam Square, Big C, Pratunam, Panthip and even more coming. And all these are wheelchair accessible. Every shopaholic will find what he or she dies for.

And when you are looking for a accessible accommodation in this area search this Blog for a hotel with wheelchair access or write an email to me.

Accessible hotel, restaurant and look out.

July 15, 2011
Baiyoke Sky Hotel, Bangkok

Ever wanted to see Bangkok from the Sky? Then visit the Baiyoke Sky Hotel in the center of Bangkok, close to all shopping malls like Siam Paragon (fashion) and Panthip Plaza (computer, electronics, etc.), in the middle of the wholesale market Pratunam, close to the Airlink Station Ratchaprarop with disabled access and at walking distance of Skytrain station Siam Square.

You can visit this Skycraper of 83 floors for lunch, dinner or overnight stay. But what about the accessibility?

You can enter this building at the right side. Here is a ramp, little bit steep but with some support no problem. The rest is a peace of cake. Big elevators to all floors. No thresholds.

We made reservations by Latestays for a room on the 22nd floor. This is a Superior Suite with one bedroom, a bathroom, a walk in closet and a livingroom. Beautiful views two ways. The doors are wide, the bed is of good height and ample space to move around in my wheelchair. The bathroom is okay. No dropdown shower seat, no roll in shower, but grips at every place you will need. The shower has a threshold of 8cm. So when you are in a wheelchair this might be a problem. The toilet and the wash basin are okay. Their is a bath. With a bath seat some will be able to shower here. Or when you are able to stand up and step over a shower chair will do.

Breakfast, dinner, drinks and look out floor can all be reached by disabled people. At the time we stayed here the view was very clear and we could even see Suvarnabhumi airport and the sea. Remember Bangkok is a city were around 11 million people live.

Do you like to know more. Don't hesitate to write and email. In case you are staying in one of our wheelchair accessible accommodations for holidays in Hua Hin you can take a bath seat or a shower chair with you.

In previous posts more wheelchair accessible hotels are described. We all have tried them personally, so we have a lot of pictures and room numbers of these different hotels.