Back to Thailand with wheelchair (reader's entry)
My wife walks badly. That was not yet the case in 2013 when we moved back to the Netherlands from Thailand. Here we have always adapted our behavior to my wife's declining (figuratively) walking capacity. A round of the supermarket is still possible, there is not much more to it.
This year we decided to go to Thailand again for the first time since our departure, to visit family and as tourists. Booked tickets with KLM and applied for a visa for 60 days, which we received the next day. When booking the tickets we requested a wheelchair. After collecting the boarding passes, we were directed to another desk where wheelchairs were waiting. A while later, a lady who acted as a wheelchair driver appeared and took us through the security check, passport control and temperature measurement to our gate at the end of the pier.
At one point our fellow travelers disappeared and when we consulted the monitor it turned out that our flight had been moved to a different gate. From the end of one pier to the end of another pier. Quite a distance, much too far for my wife to walk and no means of transport available. I went looking and found a friendly lady from KLM and explained the problem to her. After many calls, without any result, an open van came by and took us to the new gate on time. The reason for the gate change was the lack of staff to load the suitcases. No one imagined that there was a passenger who had to use a wheelchair. Everything is in the computer, but apparently no attention was paid to this. Incidentally, it would have been elegant if an employee of Schiphol or KLM had gone to the original gate to see if there were any stragglers. But that is no longer possible today.
After a smooth flight we arrived in Bangkok. We got off the plane and after a few steps saw a sign with my wife's name. Underneath stood a young man in a wheelchair. Here, too, people with wheelchairs and fellow travelers were given priority at passport control and taken to the waiting taxis via the baggage carousel.
Photo: Naya Residence Bangkok
In Nonthaburi, where we used to live, we had booked a hotel located on the Chao Phraya river. The hotel is located in a former residential tower, the apartments of which have been converted into very spacious hotel suites. Some 70 apartments have recently been converted into senior apartments that are preferably rented out on a monthly basis, although shorter periods are also possible. These Naya Residence apartments have one or two bedrooms and are fully equipped and furnished. The floor is completely flat and is shock-absorbing, the apartment is wheelchair-friendly, has wifi and cable television. Hotel staff takes care of the cleaning. A registered nurse is always available 24/7. Many activities for seniors are held in the many facilities Naya has to offer. As far as I know, this is the only complex that offers this service and we can highly recommend it, especially for wintering.
There are several videos on YouTube under “Naya Residence” that give a good impression of the apartments and the options offered to seniors, including those with a disability. For any questions I can be reached by email: [email protected]
The hotels we stayed in all had ramps and wheelchairs were available. The large shopping centers in Thailand almost all have a reception desk with wheelchairs that can be used by visitors. No driver available, this is left to the attendant. But great service.
Submitted by Albert
Annoying when this happened but fortunately ended well. Now it is the case that not KLM helps the needy passengers to and from the aircraft, but Axxicom a service that falls under Schiphol. They usually help the passenger into the seat. Perhaps a lack of personnel at Axxicom has also led to this situation and should not occur. I'll make an inquiry.
The wheelchair service is highly appreciated and as Mr. Kees de Jong indicates, this may be due to staff shortages. On the return journey, shortly before landing, we were given a note that the wheelchair had been arranged, for ourselves and for two fellow travelers. After getting out, however, there was no wheelchair to be seen. The KLM people have done their utmost to arrange wheelchairs. After waiting for three quarters of an hour in a deserted corridor, a train came along and took us to a room with wheelchairs. No one there to help us further. The very helpful chaffeuse of the train then took us to the baggage carousel via passport control. An hour and three quarters of an hour after getting out we were outside. The staff present does their utmost to help passengers and to keep Schiphol running. But we have missed the good organization of the past.
Albert
Due to circumstances I also needed a wheelchair Las Vegas perfect for transfer Vancouver super was actually not walkable to catch a flight to Edmonton.
Upon arrival at Schiphol, a wheelchair was also ordered, had to wait a while now that it was waiting
1 hour and XNUMX minutes someone comes and says don't take you I don't feel safe why? Hadn't spoken a word to her herself but stumbled to the exit escalator malfunction and elevator sucks.
A complaint lodged at home has yet to receive a response.
Think it's because it's outsourced and no one knows what. That's why all praise for Canada and the people in America a super treatment they can learn something from in the Netherlands.
Hope not to use it on our next flight. But you will only have a handicap that will not make you happy.