Government Implementation of the Standard Rules
As Seen By Member Organizations of
Rehabilitation International - RI

Thailand

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© Dimitris Michailakis 1997

National Council on Social Welfare of Thailand, Thailand
Compare with the following Country Report(s): the Thai Government

General policy

The officially recognized disability policy is expressed in law and in guidelines, adopted by the government. The emphasis in this policy is on prevention, rehabilitation, accessibility measures, individual support, and anti-discrimination law.

Since the adoption of the Rules, the government has conveyed the message of full participation, through various actions (mass media, posters, brochures etc.).

Legislation

The rights of persons with disabilities are protected by a combination of special legislation and general legislation. The judicial mechanism adopted to protect the rights of persons with disabilities is due process (legal remedy through the courts). There are no administrative or other non-judicial bodies.

General legislation applies with respect to persons with different disabilities with respect to education, employment, the right to marriage, the right to parenthood/family, political rights, access to court of law, the right to privacy and property rights. The following benefits are guaranteed by law to persons with disabilities: health and medical care, training, rehabilitation and counselling, financial security, employment, independent living and participation in decisions affecting themselves.

Since the adoption of the Rules, the "Rehabilitation and Disabled Persons Act" has been enacted.

Accessibility

There are rules to ensure the accessibility of the built environment which establish national design standards, requiring that public places are made accessible. Accessibility in the built environment is observed by a "sub-committee for rehabilitation of disabled persons on accessibility". The only measures promoted in order to ensure the accessibility in the built environment marking parking areas and providing financial support for accessibility measures in housing. There are no special transport arrangements. The most difficult obstacles, when planning to build accessible environments are attitudinal factors. There is a disability awareness component incorporated in the training of planners, architects and construction engineers.

Sign language has no officially recognized status. There are government measures to encourage media and other forms of public information to make their services accessible for persons with disabilities. The following services are provided in order to facilitate information and communication between persons with disabilities and others: literature in Braille/tape and sign language interpretation being available for any purpose.

Organizations of persons with disabilities

There is national umbrella organization. There are legal provisions mandating the representatives of persons with disabilities to participate in policy-making and to work with governmental institutions. Disability organizations are always consulted, when laws and regulations with a disability aspect are being prepared. Consultations occur at the national level. The government gives financial support to existing or new organizations of persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities participate to a very limited extent in judiciary, to some extent in government and political parties and to a great extent in legislatures and NGOs. The role of disabled persons organizations is to advocate rights and improved services, identify needs and priorities, mobilize persons with disabilities, participate in the planning, implementation and evaluation of services and measures concerning the lives of persons with disabilities, contribute to public awareness, provide services and promote/organize income generating activities.

Co-ordination of work

The national co-ordinating committee is reporting to the Ministry of Health Highways and Social Services. It includes representatives of many Ministries, of organizations of persons with disabilities and of other NGOs. The government expects the co-ordinating committee to participate in policy development and to perform other tasks. The establishment of the committee has led to improved legislation, improved integration of responsibility, a better dialogue in the disability field, more accurate planning, more effective use of resources and improved promotion of public awareness.

The adoption of the Rules has confirmed that "our policy is on the right track".


The reply sent by the Government of Thailand is identical with that of the National Council of Social Welfare of Thailand.

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Contents of the RI Report | Compare with the following Country Report(s): the Thai Government