Hua Hin Markets with wheelchair access

February 2010, 25
Chatchai Freshmarket Hua Hin

In the middle of Hua Hin just 200 meters from this accessible apartment you will find this fresh market. Shopping for vegetables, fruit, fish and all kinds of preapred food has never been more fun.

See how locals try to earn a living, what kind of food they eat and don't forget try some yourself.  We often buy fruit here, drink Coconut juice and eat Thai snacks. And most important we have never ever been sick from the Thai food, the snacks or the drinks.

So visit this market. It is wheelchair accessible. The best time is very early in the morning or around 11am. In between it will be very crowded with local people. Also nice to see but in a wheelchair it can be a little bit difficult to move around.

Have fun.  And in case you are in a wheelchair and spot me, tell me that you have read this post and I will treat you on a coconut juice. See you there.

Accessible shopping Hua Hin Nadpob market

February 24, 2011
Hua Hin Nadpob market

Some people are not amused in place the new shopping mall on Satukarn Square. But wheelchair users like me are happy. The old shops were not wheelchair accessible. High steps into shops, high curbs, no ramps, no adapted toilet, etc.

Last year I already wrote a Blogpost about this market / shoppingmall telling everyone it would be wheelchair accessible. In February during my last stay I have visited this mall and I can confirm the accessibility. An access ramp to overcome the curve close to the entrance of the garage, access ramps into the shopping mall, elevator with ample space for wheelchairs and scooters, accessible restroom for wheelchair users and nice shops.

So they made an effort to make this mall accessible. Let us show them that we appreciate this effort and visit them.

Wheelchair accessible pool villa on Youtube

May 21, 2011
Our Hungarian wheelchair accessible pool villa.

During our visit in April 2011 I made videoshots of our holiday accommodation in Velence, Hungary. Jan has edit these shots and put them together. The video is accompanied by Hungarian Dance nr. 5 originally compost by Brahms, but now remixed by Adya. So have a look.

This self catering holiday home can accommodate up to 6 people. Bedrooms, bathroom, living room and kitchen are all situated on the ground floor. The floor is completely tiled and level. Medical equipment is available and guests can use these for free.

The holiday house is located 100 meter from Lake Velence. Handicapped can use the foot and bicycle path around the Lake and enjoy the scenery, nature and all kind of actiivities. All facilities are within walking distance. Budapest and the airport is only 45 km ride. Wheelchair accessible transport is available at the international airport Ferihegy.

Free holiday gift in wheelchair accessible holiday accommodation

May 5, 2011
Velence, Hungary

In 2002 Gehandicapten.com began to let accessible holidays homes to disabled people. At first with one adapted holiday home in Velence, Hungary. At that is why we celebrate our 10th anniversary with gifts for our guests in 2011.

In Hungary we give guests free tickets to the accessible Spa en Wellness center in Velence which was opened last year. It  has several swimming pools, termal pools, sauna's, restaurant and kids adventure pool. They offer massage and all kind of beauty treatments.

Outdoors they have a stream and a big swimming pool. The view from the terrace and the lakeside is stunning and very relaxing. They also have sun beds and a childrens play ground.

This center is wheelchair accessible. It has ramp access, parking places for disabled, one dressing room and one restroom with access for people in wheelchairs. They don't have a pool hoist. But they do have elavators to the second floor where more sauna's, steam rooms and termal pools are waiting for you.

And when you are looking for an adapted holiday accommodation within walking distance of this center, shops, restaurants and Lake Velence. Here is my newest video of a wheelchair accessible holiday home.

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.

Waterfestival Songkran

April 13, 2009
Hua Hin, Apartment Tira Tiraa
Songkran

Every year on April 13 it is Thai New Year. All shops are closed and people are celebrating. A bog procession of monks in cars with music and a lot of happy people drive and walk through the streets.

Originally people splashed a few drops of water on each other. Sometimes with a nice fragrance in it. Presently it became a water throwing festival. The best description of what to expect is: A mixture of South American Carnaval, kids playing with super soakers and chalk solved in water.

Happy people gently wishing you Happy New Year, rub very carefully your face with chalk and then let you go. The more dary ones throw water, sometimes chilled with ice cubes. Sometimes very carefully a little bit and sometimes buckets full. The picture shows the result of one walk through town. So see here the result. Soaking wet, white like ghost and dripping on the terrace of our apartment where people are celebrating just outside the front door of the condominium building.

Come and experience this festival. Stay with us in Tira Tiraa wheelchair accessible apartment in the center of Hua Hin.

And for all the poeple in Thailand who are reading this post. We are wishing you a Happy New Year, a good health and good luck in 2554.

Thailand accessible holidays, hotels in Bangkok

February 6, 2011
Bangkok, Nana

Another wheelchair accessible hotel from the same chain of hotels as the Riverside described in a previous post. The Ibis Nana hotel is accessible for wheelchairs and scooters.

It has a few adapted rooms. We have stayed in room 305. This room has a roll in shower and grips near toilet, wash basin and shower. Soap, shampoo and towels are present upon arrival. It has ample space to turn your wheelchair around. TV, alarm clock, safe aircon and kettle are the amenities in the room.

The hotel is located in the Nana district. A red light neighbourhood with bars, girls and katoey. Just for a chat or more in case you want. It has a restaurant where a buffet breakfast is served, a coffee/cocktail bar and internet corner. Wireless internet is availale for free.

The hotel is within walking distance of the Nana and Asok BTS station (good wheelchair access) and close to Sukhumvit MRT station with accessibility for wheelchairs.

Our driver can take you to this hotel in our company car with wheelchair and occupant restraint system for a safe trip.

Accessible restaurants Hua Hin Thailand

February 3, 2011
Hua Hin, Sakura Restaurant

During this holiday we have tried several new restaurants. One of them is the restaurant in the picture, Sakura. The owner is an old employee of the Hyatt Regency hotel and he recognized us immediately and was happy to see us. He could remember in that time we were looking for house. Of course he wanted to know if we succeeded. So we told him that we bought a house on Coconut Grove, Soi 102.

After this chat we ordered our food. Jan ordered  Salmon Teriyaki and I ordered a Sushi Roll with shrimp. And for drinks two soda water. The waiters brought the food within a reasonable time and both plates together. The food was delicious and fresh made.
The restaurant has a big terrace which is has level access. In case of rain you can sit inside after taking one step. The restaurants does not have a wheelchair accessible restroom.

Sakura on Soi 94 is convenient located between the center of Hua Hin and Soi 102. The distance from our wheelchair accessible pool villa to this restaurant is 1,7km and from our apartment Tira Tiraa for disabled is 2,2km.

So come and join us and we will drive you to this restaurant in our adapted Toyota Commuter.

Airlink Bangkok Makkasan Station

Airlink, Suvarnabhumi Airport to Phaya Thai, Bangkok

February 7, 2011
Bangkok Makkasan

A few months ago we have updated you with information about the Airlink. We wrote about our trip from Suvarabhumi Airport to Phaya Thai Station. We took pictures to show the accessibility of the Airlink and published these pictures in our Picasa Webalbum.

This time we took a close look at the Makkasan Airlink Station. Here you can take both lines, the city line and the express line to Suvarnabhumi Airport. This station also has check-in facilities for every flight leavig from Suvarnabhumi Bangkok Airport. We saw just one person checking in. So no lines and no waiting here. And they also have an Oversized luggage counter where you can check-in your powered wheelchair or your golf clubs.
When you take the express train you will arrive within 15 minutes at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Makkasan Station is two stations before the end of the line. It is close to Petchaburi MRT Station. And when you have read our messages in this Blog about the subway you already know that the MRT subway is wheelchair accessible. This gives lot of possibilities. The MRT can bring you from Petchaburi to Sukhumvit where you can change to the Skytrain station Asok. From Asok you can travel to Siam Square.

Like this many hotels and tourist attractions are within reach of disabled people. Even wheelchair users can travel without a minivan in Bangkok. And we like it.

But in case you need a taxi with a ramp to bring you to Hua Hin look at this Youtube video of a taxi with wheelchair and occupant restraint system according to ADA and European disability standards.

Hua Hin Markets, wheelchair accessible?

February 23, 2011
Hua Hin Floating Market

A few weeks ago we came accross a road sign to the floating market. Not the wellknown floating market Damnoen Saduak near Bangkok but the on on Soi 112 in Hua Hin.

Following the sign we had to drive for about 6 km in our wheelchair accessible minivan along this road. We found the place where they are buidling this market and the sign telling they have a website.
It is in the middle of nowhere, 11 km out of the center of Hua Hin. The only thing what is near the Arrow wood factory and showroom where the furniture of our wheelchair accessible apartment Tira Tiraa in Hua Hin was made.

We still don't know anything about the accessibility. But what we have seen on their website it is not very promising. We keep you updated.