Tourist attractions and hotels were urged to make their facilities more accessible to the disabled as a way to turn Pattaya into a good example of what is possible in the attempt to create “tourism for all”.
About 250 hoteliers and tourism industry executives attended the July 19 seminar organized by the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration at the Redemptorist School for Persons with Disabilities. The workshop focused on both accessible public transport and tourist attractions.
Chumkhet Sawaengcharoen, head of Thammasat University’s Environmental Design for All Center, said Pattaya can become a model for accessibility. Pattaya should focus on lowering its carbon footprint by building more public-transport that is usable by all, he said.
Kritsana Lalai, president of the Universal Design for All Foundation, urged hotels, guesthouses, theme parks, service centers, government and private offices to care more about disabled people, pregnant women and the elderly.
“We should lay a first strong footstep on the road to equality,” he said. “Concerns over a friendly design architecture need to be solved and accomplished by all under the same standard and Pattaya will become a tangible midpoint for a pleasant and more livable place.”
Diana Group Managing Director Sopin Thappajug said the Diana Garden Resort is a good example of what is possible. The hotel has accessible bathrooms, golf, swimming pool, lobby and rooms.
