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.

Markets Hua Hin, Cicada Art and Deli Market

February11, 2011
Cicada Market, Nongkea, Hua Hin, Thailand

In 2005 we have visited Hua Hin, Thailand for the first time. During this holiday we have stayed in the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The only thing close to the Hyatt was Sasi cultural dance and dinner show and a litle bar with sixties and seventies live music on the corner. Both are stil there. Next to the hotel was just empty land with a few wooden huts of poor people and some small local shops.

Now the empty land has been changed into Cicada Art and Deli Market. This market offers all kinds of art, theater performances, street dance demonstrations and serves good food for very reasonable prices. The market is open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and starts at 4pm. It is frequently visited by rich Bangkok weekenders and foreigners.

You can easily spend an evening overhere. The market is wheelchair accessible and has a few ramps where needed but most of it has level access. It even has a wheelchair accessible restroom which has ample space for wheelchairs but no grips for a transfer. So when you are disabled and use a scooter or wheelchair you are now able to drink a few beers.

I'm just wondering what happened to the the people of the small wooden huts. I do hope the developer of the project has find new and more healthier living quarters for them. Or even better gave them a job at this market.

Have fun. We had fun and will visit the market again in the future.

Wheelchair accessible van manufacturer Bangkok

January 31, 2011
Bangkok

Since 2005 I have been visiting Thailand for many times. And all these times I have been travelling with a taxi with driver. Thailand doesn't know wheelchair accessible vans. So normaly I take ramps with me, ask a driver to take out a seat and make some space for my wheelchair. No floor fixings for my wheelchair, only the seat in front of me to hold me in case anything happens. This is not the way we are used to in Europe.

The traffic in Thailand is so intense, so dense and dangerous that I don't want to travel on the road anymore with these kind of threats. After 6 years I found a very professional company in Bangkok who is able to fit a wheelchair ramp, wheelchair fixings and removable seats. So now I couldn't resist to buy my own Toyota Commuter Van and get it adapted at the moment I speak. And when this is finished I can take my accessible van and go with friends, fellow wheelchair users or just my beach wheelchair and travel safe on the roads in Thailand.

Do you want to know more? Get in touch with info@gehandicapten.com

Accessible holidays in Amazing Thailand 4

In 2009 when we were decorating our accessible apartment Tira Tiraa we had to stop these activities. We had to leave our apartment for a few days because some tiles had to be replaced. On recommendation of a friend we tried a three star hotel in the center of Hua Hin close to the Sofitel Hotel. Prices vary from 3.350 till 5.500 Baht per room (38m2) inclusive of service charge and breakfast for 2. Exclusive 7% VAT.

This is a nice option we thought. So we booked this hotel for a few nights with an option to extend if neccessary. We took some medical equipment like a small shower wheelchair and ramps with us just in case. And oh boy were we glad. The hotel has a very steep entrance ramp. Everyone needs help to get into the hotel. Jan needed some support to stay up straight, a manual wheelchair user definitely needs a push and others maybe need help to prevent their wheelchair flipping backwards. Once in the lobby you are fine.

The elevator is tight but wheelchairs fit in. The corridors are wide enough to pass. The door into the hotel room is wide enough, but the bathroom door is not. Most shower wheelchairs / commodes won't fit through. The bathroom floor is 15cm down in two steps, no grips, toilet 35 cm high, bathroom door turning into the bathroom. Great. Do you know how hard this is for a care taker? Well I do. I can handle it once. I won't do it twice. There is no restaurant in the hotel. So you have to go out for lunch and dinner. The small swimming pool was not well maintained, the water was blurred. And every day the same breakfast.

Compare this to our accessible apartment Tira Tiraa (2 bedroom, 130 m2 including private terrace) in the center. Price is 167 Euro / 6847 Baht. including VAT, service charge, medical equipment / aids, energy, water, drinking water, cleaning and laundry, breakfast/drinks/snacks for the first day, free wireless internet, tv/dvd/sound system with free movies, books, travel guides and games. This is 3.424 Baht per room or 1742 per person. The building has a big well maintained swimming pool, fitness room, sauna, pool side garden, internet corner, reception area, laundry shop, sunbeds in pool area, 24/7 security, parking space for handicapped people, etc. Supermarket in just 200m.

More info email to info@gehandicapten.com

Accessible holidays in Amazing Thailand 2.

February 2005

Hua Hin, Thailand

In 2005 we have visited Hua Hin for the first time.

Before we bought our plane ticket we had to make sure the hotel we were staying in was wheelchair accessible. Nowerdays it is a lot easier to get information about a hotel then 20 years ago. You write an email and ask them everything you need to know.

Like this we ended up in a hotel in Hua Hin, Thailand. It is a beautiful hotel 4,5 km from Hua Hin center. The hotel has a very beautiful garden situated between the beach and the hotel. The main swimmingpool is located in this garden. There is no wheelchair access ramp to the beach. The hotel has a level access entrance, ramps to the adapted guest rooms on the first floor and accessible elevators to the different floors. Rooms, bathrooms and balconies are spacious. In the room were no grips, no shower seat but the room had a roll in shower. I used my manual wheelchair to shower. Aircon is working perfect. The service is great.Several restaurants serve a perfect breakfast buffet and international quisine at lunch and diner. Drinks, snacks and small meals are served at the swimming pool and the lobby bar. Since we have been here they built a new part with Spa facilitties. We never saw this. So it can be that there are new accessible rooms with better facilities for disabled in this hotel.

The prices have gone up during the past years. From 5.500 in 2005 to 7.500 Baht per night in 2011 excluding 10% service charge and 7.7% tax during high season. With an exchange rate of 40 Baht per Euro this will cost you 222 Euro per night for 2 persons. This excludes breakfast. Conclusion: The price doubled due to price increase and exchange rate. Price per person per night 111 Euro.

Compare this to one of our accommodations. Our wheelchair accessible pool villa Coconut Grove costs 167 Euro per night (maximum of 6 people) including taxes and service charge, including diner and breakfast at the first day, including housekeeper and laundry service, including use of medical equipment like pool hoist, including free drinking water, including free grocery package, including free use of computer and internet. And our pool villa can accommodate 6 people. Price per person per night almost 28 Euro.
This house is only 3,5km from the center. But we can arrange wheelchair accessible transport in Hua Hin, from Hua Hin to Bangkok v.v. and day trips to tourist sites.

Info about the hotel or the villa email to info@gehandicapten.com