Bangkok Council Reviews Ordinance for Disabled Residents
The Bangkok Metropolitan Council is considering a new ordinance aimed at improving the quality of life for people with disabilities. A council-appointed committee will review the draft proposal over the next 60 days. The measure is intended to advance the rights and address the specific needs of disabled residents in the city.
- The push for a dedicated Bangkok ordinance was initiated by a formal request from the advocacy group Disabilities Thailand, which argued that the city lacks specific, legally-binding legislation, relying instead on executive policies that may not be permanent. - This local proposal builds on the national Persons with Disabilities Empowerment Act of 2007, which legally mandates that public and private organizations hire one disabled person for every 100 employees. - As of November 2024, Bangkok had 105,302 registered persons with disabilities; among those of working age, 60.9% were unemployed, highlighting the economic challenges the ordinance seeks to address. - The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), under Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, has been actively increasing its own hiring of disabled individuals, filling 414 out of 636 required positions (65% of its quota) by March 2025. - The proposed ordinance aims to tackle significant, long-standing accessibility issues; despite improvements in the MRT and Airport Rail Link, many public areas, pavements, and transportation options remain difficult for people with disabilities to navigate, limiting their access to employment and services. - Low educational attainment is a major barrier, with national data showing 94% of disabled individuals have only completed primary school education. - The current council's term ends in 2026, creating a sense of urgency to pass the draft into a formal act to ensure the continuity of disability rights policies.
