A trip to Phitsanulok province’s Thung Salaeng Luang National Park, 400 kilometers north of Bangkok, was the first recreational visit 51-year-old Somporn Rodmanee had made in over 20 years.
Relaxing in the cool and refreshing morning chill, 500 meters above sea level, Somporn quietly enjoyed the impressive view, featuring mountainous terrain and lush pine forest.
“I’m just so happy to have been given the chance to come here,” said Somporn, who has had to cope with a disability for the past twenty years after being struck by a drunk driver.
Somporn was paralyzed from the waist down when he was only 31, and is confined to a wheelchair. He says he had never traveled for recreational purposes since the accident due to the physical challenges and financial limitations.
But in late February, Somporn got the chance to visit the park along with 19 other people with disabilities under a free trip organized by television production house Positive Creation, with the cooperation and sponsorship of energy firm PTT and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
A family member, friend, or personal assistant accompanied each member of the group, which included wheelchair-bound adults and children, partially mobile people with disabilities, blind and partially-sighted people, people with mental disabilities, and several people with other physical disabilities. The group stayed overnight at some hillside cottages belonging to the park.
The visit had been specially designed for people with disabilities, and 10 people had been specially recruited to help out on the day of the trip. Several physically fit and strong men helped with lifting when wheelchair-bound guests encountered physical hurdles along the way, such as curbs or other steps and bumps. This team was carefully briefed beforehand to ensure they fully understood their duties and the nature of the work.
In addition to this, a group of locals had also dedicated their time to helping out, volunteering to transport participants around the park in their four-wheel-drive vehicles.
A role model
Petchnumpnong Srivardhana, 36, is managing director of Positive Creation and hosts her own short travel show on television called “Puendernthang”.
Puendernthang means “travel mates”.
She said the idea of organizing the travel trips for people with disabilities came from an influx of calls from viewers of her TV show, who sought her travel advice for people with disabilities.
Petchnumpnong has a disability herself, having become paralyzed in a road accident when she was just 17. This hasn’t stopped her from producing between two and six travel programs per year over the past five years.
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Among these televised trips were: an astrological visit to Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Pran Buri district; a trip by air to Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Ao Manao; and a trek in Phetchaburi’s Keang Krachan National Park. The trips were sponsored by both the government and private sectors.
“I’d like to see people with disabilities on TV as often as possible. I hope more able-bodied people get to see us and then learn that we don’t only ‘exist’, we are also more than capable of traveling, and are doing so right now,” she said.
Petchnumpnong, who holds a master’s degree in counseling for people with disabilities, said each of the trips that Positive Creation organizes is carefully planned to ensure the height of convenience and safety for participants. For example, during a journey by road, drivers need to be aware of gas stations that have toilet facilities in their restrooms for people with disabilities.
Thirty-nine-year-old Orachun Umlerksathaporn, a blind man who works as a telephone operator for a government agency, thoroughly enjoyed his experience.
“I feel very comfortable and relaxed. It’s a great way to learn about other people facing physical limitations,” he said. ”This has helped me to face the reality and face it calmly.”
Orachun, whose (partially-sighted) wife Walailak accompanied him on the trip, said he enjoyed the cool breeze, as well as the natural smells and sounds out in the country.
Able-bodied participants on the trip also seemed to enjoy the experience hugely.
Supatra Ullapathon, whose daughter “Pim” is a wheelchair-bound student, said she felt comfortable throughout the trip.
While she tries her best to take Nong Pim out to experience as many activities as able-bodied kids, often members of the public seem to treat them differently, or stare at them as though they were strange.
“Out here there’s none of that. Being part of this wonderful group means that we’re all ‘normal’,” she said.
Supatra said she would like to see other concerned organization arrange more travel opportunities for people with disabilities, while pointing out that more public facilities should be provided for people with disabilities.
Petchnumpnong praised all her employees and casual members of staff for helping to arrange the trip and for being so kind hearted. The participants left with big smiles on their faces, so the objective had clearly been reached.
“We [people with disabilities] don’t want ordinary people to feel pity for us. We’d like them to share their kindness, however, and we’d like them to just think of us as other important members of society,” she said.
Petchnumpnong said Positive Creation would continue to organize the travel programs as long as she could find the necessary level of support and financial sponsors.
“Puendernthang” airs on Channel 5 every Wednesday at 11.00-11.05 am.
Positive Creation organizes a new trip every few months. For further information, please call Tel: +66 (0)2 931 3006-7, or send an email to
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