NationThailand-Sept 19
A project to create a comprehensive database of facilities for everyone in Thailand was launched on Thursday. The “City of Kindness” project, led by five ministries, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, and the United Nations Population Fund, aims to improve accessibility for people with disabilities, the elderly, and others who may require additional assistance when navigating public spaces. The project is supported by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, which also developed the “Muang Jaidee” (Kind City) platform. This platform allows users to “pin” and share information about various facilities, including ramps, restrooms, service centers, and accessible transportation options. The information can be easily accessed by everyone through a Line chatbot (@jaideecity). Wasan Pattara-atikom, acting director of the Digital Innovation Services Unit at the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), emphasised that the project’s focus was on inclusivity. He highlighted the involvement of the disabled community in Bangkok, whose insights were crucial in designing and implementing the project. Partnerships with various government agencies further strengthen the initiative. Each agency plays a specific role: the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security aims to improve the quality of life for the elderly and people with disabilities; the Ministry of Interior plans to work with students to develop accessible cities across Thailand; the Ministry of Education will engage youth in the project; the Ministry of Public Health has committed to ensuring medical facilities participate in the initiative; the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is collaborating on city-wide implementation.Citizens can contribute to the project by “pinning” facilities and adding information on the Line chatbot. This participation is crucial for creating a comprehensive and user-friendly database. Read more at: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40041626
