Pattaya City had a bit of good news this week when it won the bronze award for its ability to provide access for disabled users at its offices. The competition was part of a nationwide Thai event geared to put the issue of disabled people back in the limelight. Although the bronze is certainly a respectable result for Pattaya City, its mayor already vowed to do better next year and take home the gold.
The annual competition called the 2008 Friendly Official Location for Disabled People, is organised by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security to raise awareness of the needs of disabled people. Several other businesses and organisations in Pattaya also received awards from the competition for providing good access.
The Hard Rock Hotel took second nationwide in the accommodation category, while the Alangkarn Theater took home third place in the tourist destination category. Pattaya Underwater World, Royal Cliff Beach Hotel, Diana Garden Resort, Best Western Pattaya and Marriot Resort and Spa in Pattaya all won consolation prizes in the hotel establishment category.
This year, 109 government and private organisations throughout Thailand took part in the competition. Judging was divided into various categories, including hotels, tourist destinations, government buildings, educational buildings, hospitals, shopping centres and even gas stations.
Pattaya’s mayor commented “the prize is a positive beginning and our city now plans to ensure that facilities such as sanitation, roads and public ramps at both private and government organizations cater well for the disabled wherever possible.â€
For more on Pattaya, check out The Pattaya Mail