Phuket Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuwan chaired the event, organised by the Phuket office of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.
Joining the event were Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (PPAO) President Rewat Areerob and Busadee Suwannarat, who as the Governor’s wife is currently president of the Phuket chapter of the Red Cross Society of Thailand.
Supipat Anurat, Director of the Phuket Social Development and Human Security office, noted that the United Nations’ International Day of Disabled Persons is commemorated each year on Dec 3.
“For the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, various activities are organised for people with disabilities, so they can participate in social activities and have the opportunity to show their potential to society. This causes society to develop a constructive attitude towards people with disabilities and recognise people with disabilities as valuable resources of society,” he said.
Phuket officials yesterday commemorated the international day since 1995, Mr Supipat said.
Present for the occasion yesterday were an assembly of people with disabilities, along with professional caregivers and volunteers.
Activities at the event included career and job recruitment services by the Phuket Provincial employment Office, free haircuts by the Phuket Provincial Juvenile Observation and Protection Center and Phuket Polytechnic College.
Activity and game booths were also on site for people with disabilities to enjoy, and performances by students of the Baan Sam Kong Municipal School “Samkong Super Dance Band”.
Among the groups represented at the event were people from the Phuket Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office, the Child and Family Home, legal advice professionals and the Phuket Provincial Prosecutor’s Office to explain rights protection and legal assistance, among others that could provide useful information and assistance.
Vice Governor Amnuay said, “The government has given importance to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which is an international human rights convention that promotes and protects rights for people with disabilities. There is collateral in
Rights, freedom, and human dignity for people with disabilities on an equal footing with the general public.
“It is the first United Nations Human Rights Treaty on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the 21st century. The government has assigned the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security to drive policy to raise and develop the quality of life of people with disabilities.
“In the past year, In the year 2024, there has been a reform of the registration of persons with disabilities so that persons with disabilities can receive welfare rights and assistance in a comprehensive and thorough manner.
“A service system for people with disabilities has been developed through the a comprehensive service centre for people with disabilities (One Stop Service), which Phuket Province [the provincial government] has piloted together with Vachira Phuket Hospital, district hospitals and local administrative organisations in the area for the past three years,” he added.
“In addition, there is development and promotion of employment for people with disabilities, to improve the living conditions of people with disabilities and a project to provide foster families for people with disabilities who do not have caregivers. 2024 is considered to be an important year in driving the work of people with disabilities.
“The government will announce the National Action Plan for Improving the Quality of Life of Persons with Disabilities, No. 6 (2023 - 2027), focusing on participation and integration of cooperation among all sectors. This includes creating opportunities to encourage people with disabilities to live their lives based on human dignity, and to promote equality, fairness, thoroughness, equality and true access to benefits from rights,” Mr Amnuay said.