Wheelchair accessible beach in Canet Plage, France

This time I want to show you the wheelchair access to the beaches in Canet en Roussillon at the Mediterranean Sea in France. This stretch of beach in Canet Plage, as big as Copacabana Beach or Ipanema Beach in Brazil, is wheelchair accessible. And with the beach wheelchairs available for free and the Mobimat to the waterline you can even go for a swim.
Here is our video of this wonderful beach in the Languedoc-Roussillon, France made bij Gehandicapten.com.

Medical equipment for free in Hua Hin, Thailand

Since 2007 Wheelchair Thailand Hua Hin alias Gehandicapten.com let holiday homes for disabled people in wheelchairs. These wheelchair accessible holiday homes in Hua Hin, Thailand are equipped with medical equipment. Aids which offer extra comfort to people with a reduced mobility. This saves you the trouble of taking them with you on your flight. And prevents damage to your equipment during the storage in the plane.

Guest of our adapted pool villas and apartment with wheelchair acces can use these medical aids for free except the mobility scooters and wheelchair accessible Toyota Commuter. Our local staff will put them in up on arrival in the accessible accommodations of your choice.
To see what equipment is available take a look at our photo album.

Medical equipment and adaptations in wheelchair accessible accommodations in Hua Hin, Thailand.

The mobility scooter are for rent. The private wheelchair accessible minivan with driver is available for airport transfer and tours and trips.

More information. Email to info@gehandicapten.com 

WheelchairThailand Hua Hin, see man or woman?

 

An half year ago Jan and I were looking for some entertainment at night in Bangkok. Wherever you stay you can find entertainment. Bars, puppet show, dance and dinner show, cultural show, girls and lady boys, etc. We wanted to see a show and went to the Asia Hotel in Phaya Thai, Bangkok. Sadly enough this theater was not wheelchair accessible.

This time we had a look in our travel guide book of Bangkok. Found a name of a show and looked it up at internet. And yes the show has moved to another location and the location, Asiatique, and the theater, Calypso, is wheelchair accessible. So we booked tickets online and drove there early saturday evening. Staff took great care of us and guided us to the elevator and the theater to our seats. Access for wheelchairs and people with recuded mobility is assured.

 

And what a night we had. Lots of international restaurants to choose from, many shops with beautiful and classy merchandise, bars with live music, boulevard along the Chao Praya River and the Calypso theater. We had a great time. We can recommend the show and ask you now: "Did you see men or women?"

Hua Hin Events for wheelchairs

Held on Hua Hin Beach with wheelchair access.

From 10-12 June 2012 the next Hua Hin Jazz FEstival will take place. Where? Always on the beach in front of the Sofitel Hotel and in front of the Intercontinental Hotel. The sponsor is Heineken, the Dutch premium beer from The Netherlands.

You can access the beach using the ramps made for motorbikes and cars, but also for wheelchairs. With a little bit of help you pass easily the few meters soft sand till you reach the firm sand where you can drive independently your scoot or handbike.

Close to the beach we let our wheelchair accessible pool villa. This holiday home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, fully equipped kitchen and living room with computer and internet access.
This holiday accommodation can accommodate 6 adults and is still available during the Hua Hin Jazz Festival 2012.
Have a look around. Click here.
For a description of the holiday home, availability and prices click here.

Pool villas Coconut Grove - Thailand

July 9, 2011
Hua Hin, Thailand
Pool villa Coconut Grove renovation.

Four years on a row we have been letting our wheelchair accessible pool villa to all kinds of disabled people coming from different parts of the world. So it was time to do some renovation and get the house painted.

We have started four weeks ago and last week everything was finished. It has become very beautiful and bright. Somewhat different from the rest of the houses but very recognizable.

We were terrified when we saw the painters climbing on this scaffold. But the Thai people are so slim and limber that for them it is a piece of cake. I'm just glad nothing happened while they were working at our place.

But now as always this wheelchair accessible house is ready again to welcome our guests. We keep continue to let our pool villa to handicapped people in wheelchairs. And together with our English and Thai speaking staff we do our utmost to make your accessible holiday memorable in a good way. And don't forget everyone who books this pool villa for at least 14 nights will get a free transfer in our wheelchair accessible minivan with wheelchair and occupant restraint system from Bangkok airport to Hua Hin.

Do you want more information have a look at our website http://www.wheelchairaccessibleholidayhomesfordisabledpeople.com/Thailand/disabled.htm or just email to info@gehandicapten.com

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Holidays and summer holiday.

Disabled friendly transport for night game drive.

13 November 2010
Sunset Game Drive Kruger Park, Skukuza Camp, South Africa

This morning we get up early again. You would expect people to get grumpy. But only our care taker / nurse from Thailand, Asia got up on the wrong side of the bed. After tea and teeth breaking biscuits we leave for a morning game drive of three hours. The scenery, the wildlife, the atmosphere is overwhelming and puts our mind to ease. The peace and quit when they shut down the engine of the car can not be found in The Netherlands. At night when we go to bed with the windows open we only hear the sound of nature.

After breakfast we go for a walk over the camp, some shopping, checking email and checking out the game drive vehicle we go back to our wheelchair accessible cottage. We have to prepare for our sunset game drive.

Around 5 pm we are present at the safari vehicle. It has a wide entrance but no lift or ramp. Alfie is using the lift of his truck to bring the wheelchairs to the same level as the game drive vehicle. Some disabled people can move over, others have to be lifted. Let the fun begin. At the start the sun is still shining but is going down in one hour. When it is dark we have lights to look at the scenery and hopefully we will spot some game. And yes we are succesful. We see lions, wild dogs, hyena, warthols, antilopes, etc. And here are the pictures.
During the drive Jan's back is hurting. He is not sitting in his own wheelchair but on a normal car seat. With the humps and bumps this is not very comfortable. He also has trouble to look to the sides. And his legs can not touch the floor. So this game drive is very tiring. Therefore he decides not to join another night game drive.

Around 8 pm we are back. Aflie helps everyone out of the truck and Charles is preparing diner. We talk about our experiences during diner and slowly another day comes to an end. So far so good. Tomorrow we leave for one of the next accessible resorts.

To be continued.

Wheelchair Thailand in Hotel Willow Park

November 11, 2011
Hotel Willow Park, Johannesburg, South Africa

Late at night we arrived at Hotel Willow Park in Johannesburg after a short drive in Alfie's wheelchair accessible safari truck. After the access ramp into the hotel we noticed Jan could drive in his wheelchair through the hotel without any steps to be taken. The ground floor room has a spacious bathroom with hand rails near the toilet and a roll in shower with hand rails. Perfect for a wheelchair user for the first two nights. We went to sleep immediately.

The first morning we started with breakfast in the restaurant. The hotel has a breakfast buffet with a small choice in eggs, bacon, cereal, milk, yochurt, fruit, coffee, etc.
 
After breakfast we walked around in the Park. And here we saw our first wildlife, a few skoorsteenveeer (South African). Looks like a stork. Beautiful to see them walking around on the grass early in the morning looking for food. Took a few pictures. One of these pictures can be seen in my webalbum. Click here to go to this album. We found two swimming pools, the bar and the reception area with wireless internet as well. So we fetched our laptop and checked out our email. And surprise, surprise, we had a online reservation for our apartment in France for mobility reduced people in wheelchairs, a returning guest. A quick answer and a shut down and of we go to enjoy our holiday again. We went for lunch in the restaurant, also a buffet with a variety of dishes for a reasonable price.

In the afternoon we went shopping with Alfie and 4 British able bodied tour members in Johannesburg. We had to buy plugs for the South African outlets to be able to charge Jan's powered wheelchair. After buying plugs, some sandwiches for tonight and some snacks and drinks for tomorrow during the day we went back to the hotel.

Around 5 pm we met the other members of the Krugerpark tour in the bar. The group consisted of 4 British able bodied persons, one disabled British woman with girl friend, one Dutch wheelchair user with two teens (arriving tonight) and the two of us. We order a drink like everyone else and listen to Alfie who tells us about the tour and also that we are leaving around 6.30 am. Is this holiday?

So Krugerpark here we come. We are looking forward to it.

To be continued.

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.

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

Wheelchair tours, part two

February 4, 2010.
Floating Market, Damnoen Saduak, Thailand.

For location look at our map for tours and trips.

This wheelchair tour starts early in the morning. The distance to this market is about 150 km from our accommodations in Hua Hin and the market starts and ends early. Around 11 am everything is finished and closed.

Years ago we have made this trip for the first time. We didn't know where to go but the driver did. This time we visited this market together with family and took a boat to float around. It was very busy. Maybe even worse than the traffic jam in Bangkok everyday.

This is a nice tour for wheelchair users and their company. Both can watch the hustle and bustle of the market either in their wheelchairs on the quay or in a boat. Or you can shop for souvenirs, have a bite (try the noodle soup) or a drink, buy some fruit and watch people going in and out the boats. Have a nice trip.

Animal holiday homes for clothes

February 28, 2005

Rashnee Thai Silk Village
181 Naebkhehars Rd, Hua Hin

Many countries in Asia are well known for tailor made clothes. So is Thailand. And therefor you can find many tailors in Hua Hin. Different material can be used. Wool, silk and all kind of combinations.

One of these tailor shops is next to Rashnee Thai Silk Village. An exhibition, hand craft shop, where you can see how silk is made. From the butterfly to her eggs, to the caterpillar, to the cocoon ( caterpillar holiday home ), and so on. Here you can watch how the fiber is woven to cloths.

This part is level and wheelchair accessible. It has some step stones which can make it a little bit difficult for manual wheelchairs. But I didn't check the last time. Maybe they improved their sight.

Afterwards you can have a look at the tailor shop and buy some clothes made to order. When I remember well this shop is not wheelchair accessible except when you have ramps with you.

This hand craft exhibition is in walking distance of Tira Tiraa apartment, which is adapted to disabled people and has wheelchair access.

Accessdisabled, Thailand Trains

February 22, 2005.
Hua Hin train station.

The first time we were in Thailand we have visited Hua Hin Train station and the Royal Waiting Room. And every time we have visitors we show them the station. When you see pictures of Hua Hin you will always see this waiting room. Hua Hin is famous for this sight. Lovely to see. Back in time. And although wheelchair users can access the station the access to the trains is disabled.

We always tell people they have to take a look at the sign which points out where the wheelchair accessible toilet / restroom is. And the western world is debating the correct word for people in wheelchairs, impaired, etc. What is in a name?

Wheelchairs and more disabled stuff

February 13, 2006

Wheelchair brake down. It can happen all the time everywhere. Wether you are at home, at work, at school or travelling the world. And when this happen you are really handicapped.

Just a flat tire is a small disappointment and will take a little bit of effort to get it fixed.

But what to do when the frame of your wheelchair is broken? Even then you can go to a local motorbike shop. Some of them are able to weld your frame back together again.

And when the electronics of your chair are failing. What then? Then you are in big trouble. You have to find a dealer of powered wheelchairs. Searching on Google won't give you what you are looking for. Because the websites are in Thai. Only insiders know where to find this information. Luckely we can provide you with some addresses of dealers and repairmen. Don't expect them to be in Hua Hin. Find here the adresses of these dealers. Some owners are disabled themselves. We hope you never will need them.

1 Dealer of wheelchairs.

2 Wheelchairs and aids / medical equipment.

In the meantime hire a wheelchair in Hua Hin. There is a shop in Market Village which is renting out manual wheelchairs.
And another suggestion. In case you know what is wrong phone your own dealer and have the parts send to Thailand and change it yourself.

Accessible vineyard and wines in Hua Hin

When people think of wine they think of France and the worlds most famous wines. No one is thinking of wines produced and bottled in Hua Hin, Thailand. But since 2003 Hua Hin Hills Vineyard is growing grapes and producing wine near Hua Hin. This vineyard is located 35km west of Hua Hin.

After a visit to Wat Huay Mongkol you can drive 16km more west to enjoy a vineyard tour on a elephant, fine Thai tapas and of course their delicious wines. On the terrace of the sala surrounded by vineyards you can spend a laisy afternoon doing nothing. Don't forget to buy some wine to take home.

The restaurant / sala has an access ramp and the terrace is wheelchair accessible. So handicapped people and their travel companions can enjoy this holiday trip together.

The wines are also for sale in their shop on the second floor of Market Village, a big shopping mall in Hua Hin.