Requesting your support for making new International Airport accessible

Dear Sir/Madam:

We need your sincere support. 

First of all, please allow me to explain why we are sending this letter to you.  As you might already know, the new Bangkok International Airport, Suvanarbhumi International Airport, will be open on 20 June, 2006.  However, it is very sad to inform you that this airport ignored barrier-free design to people with different type of needs despite the fact that it will serve as one of the major international airports in the Asia-Pacific Region. 

Disabled People's International (DPI) is a world cross-disability, self-help, human rights organizations of persons with disabilities established in 1981.  We have been promoting full-participation and equalization of opportunity of persons with disabilities by delivering a voice of our own.  We hold special consultative status for the United Nations and have collaborated with many other international agencies as well.  Disabled Peoples' International Asia-Pacific Regional Office has been playing an important role in the disability movement of Asia-Pacific Region. 

DPI Asia-Pacific Regional Office is very much concerned about the new international airport where we found that there were many inappropriate features lacking of international standard as of our allowed visit to the airport on 27^th of December, 2005. 

Unsatisfactory points are such as;

1. The material of the floor is very slippery that may cause accidents for wheel-users (luggage carts, wheelchairs, strollers, and all others who carry heavy things), especially where it is not leveled like ramps.  The slippery floor is very dangerous for seniors and those who use canes/crutches or artificial prosthesis.  
2. There are two types of unfriendly doors, rotating doors and heavy manual doors, which were not accessible to people in wheelchairs and those whose hands were occupied. 
3. At the entrances, there is a fence but no safety wall(s) along with see-through like floor design.   People with acrophobia may experience panic, and it may result in child accident if they climb up. 
4. The restrooms designed for people with special needs are not spacious enough for wheelchair users.  The grab-bars were installed inappropriate locations therefore not useful.  The toilet seat is too high for them and for boys as well.
5. The elevators do not equip information in Braille, therefore it prevents the use of people who are blind and visual impaired. 
6. Visual alarm system is not installed in the elevators and the restrooms, which is dangerous for people who are deaf and hearing impaired.  

Thailand is the center and focal point in various aspects regionally and internationally.  Many international agencies including the United Nations are located to execute their functions; international non-governmental organizations typically located in Metropolitan Bangkok area to serve countries in Asia-Pacific region; there are many active business sectors; and Thailand has also been flourished with tourism.  Needless to say, Survanarbhumi International Airport should follow the universal standard. 

We have a very good example, which is recently-opened Chubu International Airport, Nagoya, Japan.  Disabled People's International Japan and its affiliated disabled people"s organizations made a contract with Japanese government for the airport’s accessibility design and evaluation.  The persons with disabilities took an initiative utilizing their own personal experiences.  More than 1,000 of those with different types of disabilities in total were participated in this process.  It is said that Chubu International Airport is now the most barrier-free airport to all people with different type of needs at international level with Universal Design concept.

We, Disabled Peoples’ International Asia-Pacific Region, have resources, information and disabilities, to advocate bringing Universal Design into the new airport.  However; the door has been closed for us to discuss this issue with Royal Thai Government in spite of our approaching them by submitting a letter to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.  Our effort alone does not seem enough.  Your corporation is most needed. 

[How you can support]

Please send the letter or fax to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to show your support and ask him to set up a special committee on barrier-free design of Suvanarbhumi International Airport.  The example letter was attached for your reference. 

Sincerely yours,
Shoji Nakanishi
Regional Chairperson
Disabled Peoples' International Asia-Pacific Region

[sample letter/fax to Prime Minister]

                                      (seal of your organization)

27 January, 2006

Prime Minister’s Place
Address of Prime Minister’s Place

Dear Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra:

We are regrettably submitting this letter to you to know that new Suvanabhumi International Airport is not designed barrier-free, which may result in preventing regional and international activities in various sectors.

From media and disabled people’s organization, we understand that there are several features in the airport that ignored universal standard such as;

1. The material of the floor is very slippery that may cause accidents for wheel-users (luggage carts, wheelchairs, strollers, and all others who carry heavy things), especially where it is not leveled like ramps.  The slippery floor is very dangerous for seniors and those who use canes/crutches or artificial prosthesis. 
2. There are two types of unfriendly doors, rotating doors and heavy manual doors, which were not accessible to people in wheelchairs and those whose hands were occupied. 
3. At the entrances, there is a fence but no safety wall(s) along with see-through like floor design.   People with acrophobia may experience panic, and it may result in child accident if they climb up. 
4. The restrooms designed for people with special needs are not spacious enough for wheelchair users.  The grab-bars were installed inappropriate locations therefore not useful.  The toilet seat is too high for them and for boys as well.
5. The elevators do not equip information in Braille, therefore it prevents the use of people who are blind and visual impaired. 
6. Visual alarm system is not installed in the elevators and the restrooms, which is dangerous for people who are deaf and hearing impaired.  

We understand that Thailand is the center and focal point in various aspects regionally and internationally.  Many international agencies, business offices, and humanitarian aid agencies are located in Metropolitan Bangkok Area.  Many tourists visit Thailand through the airport.  We believe that Thailand continues to grow and contribute to international society furthermore.  Needless to say, the Suvarnabhumi International Airport correct inappropriate design and must equip the advanced quality features as a gate of Thailand.

Bearing these things into consideration, here we request you to set up the special committee on barrier-free design of Suvanabhumi International Airport with an initiation of people with different types of disabilities, immediately in order to open the airport as planned.

Sincerely yours,
(your signature)
(your title)
(your organization/address)

[addresses]

The Office of the Secretariat of the Prime Minister
#1 Pitsanulok Rd., Dusit
Bangkok 10300
Thailand
Tel. 662-2803000   
E-mail:  prommin@thaigov.go.th or preecha@thaigov.go.th
Website http://spm.thaigov.go.th

2006-04-04 00:00:00

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