I love my city. But I still wish to see its administrator, City Hall, improving things to make Bangkok more liveable and navigable for all, especially disabled people.
But the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has disappointed them. It has failed to equip all 23 skytrain stations with necessary facilities for people with disabilities within a year from the Supreme Administrative Court ordering it to do so in January 2015.
On Tuesday, the Civil Court delayed its decision about whether the BMA needed to pay 1.4 million baht in compensation to each of the 98 disabled people who filed a lawsuit against the BMA for failing to provide the facilities within a year.
The amount was calculated taking into account the inconvenience caused and higher transportation costs over the period.
Sirinya Wattanasukchai is an assistant news editor, the Bangkok Post.
Unfortunately, the plaintiffs still have to wait for some time for a ruling as the court has transferred the case to the Appeal Court to rule over its jurisdiction.
In January 2015, disabled people rejoiced when the Supreme Administrative Court ruled in their favour and ordered City Hall to install lifts at all skytrain stations within one year. At the time of the ruling, lifts existed at only five stations, including Mor Chit.
But their hopes were dashed after a year when City Hall failed to meet the deadline of January 2016.
Their lives, which were supposed to have been made easier if the BMA had been compassionate towards the people they had forgotten and strictly followed the court's order, didn't change.
Two years after the court's ruling, additional lifts are still being built, with more lame excuses from City Hall.
Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang only managed to boast about the launch of three new lifts each at three stations -- Ratchadamri, Phrom Phong and Thong Lor -- and one additional lift installed at On Nut earlier this month.
Unfortunately, these lifts don't function fully; some were reportedly closed without an explanation just a day after their launch when the governor held a photo-op for the media, while others only connect to the ticket offices and don't go all the way up to the platforms.
Why can't every commuter in this city be provided with equal access to public transportation? Why did the BMA postpone access for those who deserve it?
The cover story in our Life section yesterday portrayed the struggle faced by a disabled person in the City of Angels.
Like countless disabled commuters, Nalutporn Krairiksh experiences a great deal of difficulty travelling around the city. But unlike many others, she is fortunate enough to be able to afford to travel in private cars and taxis (if the taxi drivers agree to take her).
According to the report, Ms Nalutporn suffers from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) which causes a weakening of her muscles.
But like many other disabled people who travel by electronic wheelchairs, the upper part of her body is still able enough to help her get around by herself -- but that's only if facilities allow her to do so.
When using the skytrain, instead of pressing the lift buttons herself and entering the station and train like millions of other passengers, Ms Nalutporn is "pampered" by security guards. The BTS requires people like her be escorted by a few guards, which draws unwanted attention from other passengers.
Worse, the cover photo shows Ms Nalutporn seated in her electronic wheelchair being lifted by two guards onto the escalator to go up to the platform. She also received help getting on the train.
This is a common scene that I've seen with many other disabled passengers.
I can imagine why Ms Nalutporn who lives in Ekamai and works in Huai Khwang prefers not to use the skytrain.
Nobody, especially people with disabilities who only want to be treated like everyone else, wants to be the centre of such an embarrassing situation twice a day.
Why can't the BMA simply provide equal access for all, regardless of their physical state, education, or social status?
Even though I am not disabled, I sometimes find it inconvenient when taking the train while carrying luggage or my folding bike.
Not only is it difficult to move my belongings up and down, but it is also quite a challenge to make sure they don't bump into other passengers.
I remember several years ago when some foreigners asked me why there were so few disabled people in the streets of Bangkok, or all of Thailand. Having grown up in Thailand, I know only too well that it is simply because the practical facilities are not adequate for them.