About this Short Film
A Day With The Blinds, by Bunyanut Yodchak (Thailand, 2026), follows a citizen journalist’s inquiry into how accessible Bangkok’s public transport is for people with disability, especially those with vision impairment, blending expert commentary on policy and infrastructure with first‑hand accounts from people who travel daily. The film’s tone is practical and measured, outlining clear barriers—stairs, missing ramps and curb cuts, inconsistent signage—and the incremental steps officials describe, such as lifts, redesigned footpaths and staff assistance on electric trains, while also noting service gaps like under‑resourced boat and bus experiences. Valuable for advocates, planners and young adults curious about inclusive cities, it offers a grounded, person‑centred contribution to Focus on Ability’s conversations about transport and inclusion.
Film Details
Country:
Thailand
Category:
International Documentaries
Genre:
Informational
Festival Year:
2026
Filmmaker:
Bunyanut Yodchak
Film Transcript
How accessible is Thailand's public transport system for people with disabilities?
The public transport system needs to be considered as a whole. In Bangkok, where the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is responsible, most of the support comes from government policy. We act as a supplementary unit: we will improve footpaths and create connecting routes, and all of this must take people with disabilities into account. There are standards and laws governing disability issues, such as access for people with disabilities and related facilities.
Okay. Is there anything you would like to add or improve to facilitate people with disabilities?
In my view, regarding accessibility, we need lifts for people with disabilities and consistent standards for signage and symbols. At present, many people find it difficult to access mass transit. Several stations are inaccessible because they have stairs. For roads and crossings, we need push-button pedestrian signals. We must develop curb cuts on footpaths and ramps, because our footpath curbs often lack the lowered sections; that is a problem. Bangkok is gradually developing these to make access more comprehensive.
From the director's perspective, what do you think are the main obstacles for transport users in Bangkok?
The main obstacles are physical. The physical environment does not help to promote access.
Does Bangkok have any long-term plans to develop infrastructure to improve coverage of services?
According to policy, the aim is to enable good travel for everyone, not just people with disabilities. They focus on universal access so everyone can reach public facilities. Footpaths are being redesigned in a new format; ramps and signals are being upgraded, and defects at all the points that people with disabilities have commented on are being fixed. Skywalks are being developed without steps and lifts are being added at stations such as Victory Monument as an example of what we are doing. We are trying to develop other points to raise the level of access to mass transit for disability organisations.
Thank you very much.
Next, we hear opinions from people with visual impairments: Ms Patcharat and Ms Folsasika Lertsak, a business owner.
Do you use public transport often, and which services do you use?
I use it every day. The transport I use is mostly the electric trains. Occasionally I use buses or similar services.
Which transport service do you like or are most impressed with?
I would say the electric trains. First, as a person with a disability I can ride for free. Second, there is safety: if a person with a disability boards the BTS, security staff will escort us and guide us.
Are you dissatisfied with anything or would you like any changes or additions to transport services?
No, not at all. All transport is designed with Universal Design in mind.
Do you use public transport often and which services?
Actually I use it very often, even since high school. I use various types of public vehicles a lot.
Which service do you like best?
Probably the BTS and other electric trains, because there are staff who look after us.
Are there any transport services you think need improvement?
I think the boat services need improvement. There seem to be too few attendants or staff watching over passengers, so it doesn't feel very safe.
Have you ever experienced anything that made you feel unhappy with a service?
Once on a bus I was travelling with a friend, and the bus left before my friend had finished getting off. That was very dangerous.
And that is all the opinions from people with visual impairments about the public transport system in Bangkok, along with comments from experts about infrastructure development in Bangkok. I am Ms Passadi Phathong reporting the situation from Bangkok. Thank you.
Filmmaker
Bunyanut Yodchak is the filmmaker behind this entry. See every Focus on Ability entry from Bunyanut Yodchak.
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