Mrs_D

My husband has MS and although not wheelchair bound does use a battery operated sit on seat for distances. We would like to be able to use the Skytrain - does anyone know where there are lifts or escalators to the stations?

Shade22182

No, at least not at the ones we saw. And I never saw anyone in a wheelchair or other assisted device on the metro. Unfortunately, Bangkok is not a very convenient place for the disabled.

Shade

jkgourmet

I'd also question recharging the battery. The manufacturer may not warranty this.

MaryW

A lot of the skytrain stations have excalators at least for the up side but not for the down. Most of the higher ones also have a small lift but it is locked and you have to get assistance. All very well but in practice there is always difficulty finding someone to unlock the lift. We were travelling on the skytrain last year and saw a family with a child in a wheel chair. When we got out so did they and were trying to find a way down. We showed them the lift but couldn't find help to get it unlock so in the end we had to lift the chair down the stairs - not easy in a crowd and steep high stairs.

The pavements are very very irregular and can be difficult for a fully able person. There are now a couple of walkways under parts of the skytrain (between Siam and Chitlom for instance) that are excellent and free from the crowds and traffic but you have to be able to get up the steps to them. Again there will be some up escalators and sometimes down ones where the walk joins a shopping centre.

rhkkmk

many skytrain stops now have an elevator and most have at least one escalator, but not all....the problem would be getting to them....they would always be on the wrong side of the street for you, i would guess...some curbstones are as much as 18 inches high too so the chair would not work...

some street like silom would be ok, but you can never rely on the pavement always being consistent and the curbs...

my answer would be to always have a car and driver or use taxis everywhere....taxis are cheap...it sounds like a lot but if you are willing to pay a bit you will be fine...

there must be a thai handicapped association that could assist you....maybe jamesA has some ideas...???

JamesA

Over the years I have seen this question come up so many times, and Bob / MrsD I can tell you that there is very little ( if anything ) to help as far as websites go, it would be great for someone to compile such information.
I would suggest perhaps sticking with taxis place to place, and if it's a help to know Thais are very forthcoming to help or assist and are not reserved about it in any way, apart from the Skytrain issue you you will find help ( if needed ) readily forthcoming.

Guenmai

There are a few stations with escalators. I can't remember off the top of my head which ones... a couple were near shopping malls, but there wasn't one at Emporium Mall's skytrain station...that I do remember since I walked the three steep flights of stairs nearly every day for three weeks. I've never seen an elevator. Week before last saw a man ,who had had a stroke, try to struggle down the stairs at the skytrain. By the time I got over to his area to offer help, he'd already made it down. Bangkok is not an easy city for the diabled or elderly.Singapore is the place equipped for such. Happy Travels!