Guide dogs are now welcome in metro Bangkok’s parks, medical facilities, government buildings and shopping centers the governor announced yesterday in a bid to better serve those with disabilities.
Gov. Aswin Kwanmuang said that he had coordinated with relevant agencies to see the rules changed after it became a cause celebre raised to public attention by a woman campaigner.
In accordance with Thai disability rights law, Aswin said the city would officially welcome guide dogs that are well-trained and certified. He also announced that City Hall would work with the Police K-9 Training Center to start a regulated training program for guide dogs. The proposed training center will provide certificates for those fur-friends to pass training.
The issue was propelled to the spotlight earlier this month by a visually impaired 22-year-old woman and her canine companion. Kirin “Sai” Techawongtham drew wide attention after she started an online campaign in June to raise awareness about guide dogs by educating people online about Luther, her 3-year-old black labrador.
Kirin said she lost her sight at 13 due to a brain tumor. While attending university in the American state of Arkansas two years ago, she received Luther from Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a nonprofit in New York. Since graduating in May and moving back home to Thailand, she discovered how unwelcoming the kingdom can be for people with disabilities.
Kirin declined a request for an interview.
“Because Thailand currently does not have any service animals, and most Thai people do not understand what a service animal or a guide dog is, we have run into many obstacles while taking Luther to various public places,” she wrote online.
Kirin and Luther have since become the face of a move to raise awareness. Both were present at yesterday’s meeting with Aswin.
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