Seriously ill Belgian and for the very last time to Bangkok
Dear readers,
My name is Pat, a 58-year-old from Antwerp. What happened to me in the past year is harrowing, if I do say so myself. As a very healthy, active, sporty and attractive man, I have been affected by a very rare terminal brain disorder, and I now have palliative status.
When I started traveling around 1981, Bangkok was (coincidentally) the first major city I visited. Since then I traveled all over the world, but the dirty, noisy and ugly Bangkok has always remained my favorite city! Of course I also visited the other Thailand, mainly Koh Samui and Chiang Mai.
On February 5, against all medical and friendly advice, I leave with Qatar Airways, with 2 (medical) helpers, for the very last time for 14 days to Bangkok. Then the circle is complete.
Too bad Corona has partly paralyzed this city, but I don't have the time to wait (to postpone)!
Too bad there is no Bangkok sandbox.
I have a few short questions in this regard, and of course your additional information and advice is very welcome:
- Can I rent a mobility scooter in Bangkok and is it not better to rent an apartment than a hotel room for charging?
- Is there a home care shop in Bangkok where I can purchase some aids if necessary?
- Is there such a thing as home care (hotel care) in Bangkok?
- Is good hospital insurance sufficient? Have DMV.
- As a man with disabilities, can I still go somewhere for a massage in Bangkok (at extra cost), I am not yet 100% wheelchair bound and can therefore get on the massage table with the help of my helpers when undressing and dressing?
- Can I (in terms of infrastructure, admission) still participate in the evening life to a limited extent (nightlife is probably at a standstill)?
- How do the generally wonderfully friendly Thai people feel about people with disabilities?
- Is it easy to take a walker and wheelchair on board with Qatar Airways?
- Any suggestions for accommodation near Sukhumvitroad between soi 1 and soi 20 for me and my helpers?
- Does anyone know a salon where I can shave twice a week, soi 2 to soi 1?
I also mention that I will take good care of myself (hygiene, clothing) for the rest of my life.
Please understand that 1 reader cannot provide all the answers and tips, but every answer is appreciated.
Kind regards,
Pat (Be)
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Dear Pat.
First of all, good luck with your situation, first full of life and now in the final phase!
When the time comes to make the journey upwards, look forward to it, it will be the most beautiful moment of your stay here on earth. Many people who have seen the light were sorry to be back on earth.
You now have a problem and I now instruct you to turn this problem around and turn it into something beautiful so that you can still enjoy the rest of your life for 100%. Eg you are an hour late, stress, panic, hurry … stop! Enjoy this! Oh how wonderful, one time late today, great that I am late, all I can do is smile!
.. stress away!
All your questions are also difficult for an outsider to answer, they are questions that you can easily answer yourself, just do it.
My advice is, given that you have enough money as you show, to find a trusted person who will hire you for a fixed amount per month and who can take you anywhere, give you a massage, in short, in all your needs and can bring you some happiness for the rest of your life. I assume in this case you are looking for a female person otherwise I will mediate..
Greetings and strength Martin.
Dear Pat,
First of all, I wish you a lot of strength, and hopefully you can still fully enjoy yourself once in Bangkok.
I don't have an answer to most of your questions, but I do to one. The helpfulness of the Thai people towards the sick and people with disabilities. My experiences how the Thai behave towards farang who (for example) have to move in a wheelchair have only been positive. Usually they are helpfulness itself, and no effort is too much.
I certainly wouldn't worry about that. As for those well-meaning advice, they are just what they are. Only advice.
Unlike the previous commenter, I certainly don't think you come across as a spoiled child, but more like someone who likes to see everything arranged well in advance. After all, it's easy to shout from the sidelines if you're okay.
Finally, this: my oldest brother recently passed away from ALS. He had wanted to give up his right arm to be able to travel to Thailand again, but in recent years he could only lie flat on his bed and wait for the end.
So Pat, just go on vacation. After all, it's your life. Have fun in Bangkok. (I will never forget the first time I settled there myself. It remains a kind of 'coming home'. )
Sincerely,
Lieven.
Thank you, Lieven. Have fun if possible, but definitely enjoy the Bangkok atmosphere!
And no, I'm certainly not a spoiled child, and I don't have much money either.
Pat
PS : my condition is very similar to ALS
Terrible to read, and I wish you one last beautiful journey. But what I don't understand, you say you've been coming to Bangkok for 40 years, then you know most of the answers to your questions roch? Like hotels on Sukhumvit bv??
Sjefke, almost all my questions are related to my condition, so in those 40 years I have not gained any knowledge about facilities for people with a disability.
Hope some of the readers might use a mobility scooter.
My question about accommodation is along the same line: maybe someone knows a hotel or condo that is a bit adapted for people with disabilities (wheelchair friendly, grab bars in the shower, etc).
Have stayed a few times in those 40 years in Ruamchitt hotel and Miami hotel (Sukhumvit), but more in Kaosan road, Silom road and Siam Squair.
Dear Pat,
I wish you a lot of strength and especially that you may enjoy your last time on this earth. I am Belgian myself, from the Geraardsbergen region and have been living permanently in Thailand for many years.
From experience I can tell you that everything you mention can be found in Bangkok and also outside in the larger cities. There is of course a price tag attached to that, but you know that. You can buy just about anything in Thailand.
If it had been in Hua Hin, but that is not the case since you clearly indicate 'Bangkok', then I can help you immediately. A good Belgian friend of mine comes every year with a VERY HEAVY disabled child for 14 days on vacation. He rents a specially adapted villa for this, owned by a Dutchman who is disabled himself and, I can say: it is PERFECT. Every year, the day before his arrival, I go to that villa to prepare everything for them so that when he arrives, he does not have to look for food…. I even prepare adapted food for the child as the child has difficulty swallowing. Also for home care, transport…. can I take care of that.
In Bangkok I have several, very good relations, and I can possibly help you if you wish. However, I cannot make any firm promises as, for this specific case, I first have to address my relations and this offers no guarantee that this will lead to successful information, but the chances are high.
If you wish to make further use of my services, I would ask you to write to me personally via email: [email protected]. My help is free.
Lung addie: 'FARANG HELPDESK CHUMPHON and environs'.
Dear Pat,
Google is helpful though:
following link contains some tips:
https://www.thaizer.com/travel-in-thailand/disabled-travel-guide-to-bangkok-and-other-areas-of-thailand/
en
https://medium.com/@mobilityequipmenthiredirect/wheelchair-taxi-in-bangkok-206c19ac2e68
it seems that they also have access to booking suitable accommodation
and perhaps they can provide further advice on suitable places for nightlife, resources, etc..
insurance: check with DKV to be sure and have it confirmed in writing (e-mail) for your own security. Possibly additional insurance through travel insurance.
Is it also covered in the current Covid-19 situation and any negative travel advice from the government?
massage and shaving: for a little extra money you will usually also be treated at the hotel.
take a good hotel with a lift and close to public transport or a taxi rank.
Have a good trip and a nice stay.
Pat, I understand your wish.
I myself have assisted a sick or disabled person on an individual holiday several times. This will probably also be possible for you, provided that some extra organization is done in advance and on site from your supervisors (who may also be a bit adventurous in addition to medical knowledge, knowledge of traveling in Asia is also a plus)
In be there is a travel agency WETRAVEL2 in Wiekevorst; that organizes (individual) trips for people with disabilities. The owner himself is also an electronic wheelchair 0489 37 47 99 in Wiekevorst. They will probably be able to give you some useful information about traveling by plane, aids, etc.
I myself hope to be able to go back to Thailand on January 1. I have no medical training, but I do have some experience with (electronic) wheelchairs, mobility scooters when traveling.
Would you like to tell me a little more about the way you can move around, or if you can take a few more steps with support, for example. My email address is [email protected]
Then I would like to send you some places that I see that are accessible to you when I am in Thailand (so 2022 because much that can be found on the internet is not fully adapted to the corona situation)
And don't worry: they are very helpful in Thailand.
Greetings from Lieve (Belgian who is in love with Thailand with heart and soul)
Contact Greenwoodtravel https://www.greenwoodtravel.nl/ that is a Thailand specialist and can offer you tailor-made trips.
I just looked on google: https://www.a-hotel.com/thailand/5559-bangkok/?accommodation=disabled
According to the website, there are nearly 2000 hotels in Bangkok that are suitable for people with disabilities.
Dear Pat,
Another addition:
https://www.wheelchairtours.com/
Sincerely,
Ton
Dear Pat
Why a 14 day trip? If you have to be quarantined due to corona, you will lose a few days, then little will remain of your holiday, so maybe book a little longer.