Web gallery. Here you can see some picture from my life in Hua Hin.

Web gallery 1.
From my first time in thailand

Web gallery 2.
4 months stay 2009/2010

Web gallery 3
Mixed picture of me in Thailand

We had rented a house on the outskirts of Hua Hin (about 6 miles from the city center). It was a lovely place with fine for the disabled. Even with a lift at the pool and spa.

I was a little bit shocked at how much traffic there was in town, so it was a little scary having to drive around with hand bike on 3-lane roads and left side driving. But I went in to it on the second day and it went really well.

It was a fantastic experience to be there, and I soon found out that I could do with only half of the medicine I eat in Denmark, because of the climate. And I feel much better than I do in Denmark.

I was a bit concerned about having to travel all the way to Thailand, because I had no idea about it was possible to get around by wheelchair. But it turned out that could easily be done and absolute not more difficult than travel in south Europe. And Thai people are very friendly to help if you are going up some steps, or you have other problems.

Trips I've been on:
Big Buddha, about 20 kilometers from Hua Hin. Temple with a giant Buddha. In the temple you can get insight into the monks' lives, and you can see how Thai people act to their religion.
100 % wheelchair suitable.

Bridge on the River Kwai. The famous bridge in Kantanaburi which was bombed during 2nd World War. I was on train trip across the bridge and out through the jungle and mountains. A trip that gave a little to think about, when the railway was built by war prisoners  and forced work, and there died more than 100,000 people in the inhuman working conditions they had in the jungle, with over 40 degree humid heat. At the museum in Kantanaburi we could see everything about the railway construction, and a lot of war effects from 2nd world war

Kantanaburi city and museum is available for both manual and electric wheelchair. However, wheelchair user with the train over the river Kwai bridge is a little cumbersome if you cannot use your legs at all, because the doors are very narrow. Are you not too heavy or wide on the bum they may lift you aboard. The trains door opening  is only about 45 cm, so this trip is not for big and heavy people… I weigh about 72 kg and 176 tall, and there was 5 Thai men to carry me in to the train, it was not a pleasure. But it was a beautiful train ride.

Floating Market. In a large area with rivers and canals  there is Thai floating market, where they sell everything from their small boats. I was lifted into a boat and we sailed a nice ride.
A great experience that is accessible to people in manual wheelchairs. Electric wheelchairs cannot be lifted aboard. But you can then experience the atmosphere from the riverbank.

Monkey Mountain. A few kilometers south of Hua Hin is a small village on the mountain top, where it is teeming with monkeys. They are really cheeky and they're not afraid to "steal" from street vendors stalls or from the tourist’s handbags.
When they get too cheeky the local residents try to keep them away by shooting pebbles at them with a slingshot.
100 % available for both manual and electric wheelchair.

Elephant show. Also in the area of Hua Hin. You can come out and ride on the elephant in the wild. And they have a show where they show a lot of tricks elephants have learned. Including run on 3 wheel bike, play soccer, basketball and bowling, paint real paintings and much more.
100 % available for both manual and electric wheelchair.

Night market, and local marked. Hua Hin has a large night market where you can buy all sorts of stuff for cheap money. There are also many good restaurants. There is a really good atmosphere and nice to just sit and look at people. You can make a good deal here, but some products can be pirate copies. In Thailand you can buy pirated copies to almost everything. Clock’s  and things like that is always copy product  on Thai marked.  So beware not pay too much, and be sure you can bring it legal to your home country.
100 % available for both manual and electric wheelchair.

There are also a big local Thai marked in Hua Hin (ask a taxi driver or some local people where you find it).
Personally I prefer the local Thai market. It is not as touristy, and it is much cheaper to shop there. They have everything, clothes, electronics, fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh meat. The place is open every Tuesday from afternoon to midnight.
100 % available for both manual and electric wheelchair.

Sam Roi Yot. National Park 40-50 km south of Hua Hin. Very nice place with many mountains and temples. In the valleys there are shrimp and shellfish farms as far as the eye can see. There are some beautiful beaches too.
You can sail out to some small islands or out to a place with caves and grottoes.
Sailing cruises are cumbersome. But otherwise, Sam Roi Yot also possible to see as a wheelchair user.

Bangkok is crowded with people a lot of traffic. I have not yet seen much of the city. But have visited the Royal Palace and the associated large and impressive temple area. Here's temple buildings covered with gold and precious stones.
When visiting here you must remember to be dressed in clothing that covers legs and shoulders, and show respect for the king.
Bangkok is not the very best place in wheelchair, because most places you have to drive on the road, and the traffic is dangerous. So If I’m in Bangkok for a few days, I always go around with taxi. It’s very cheap with “TaxiMeter” taxi.
100% available for both manual and electric wheelchair. However, it’s not possible to enter the temples with a wheelchair.

Cha Am. Cozy tourist and fishing town 20 km north of Hua Hin. Here are a several miles long beach promenade with small hotels, restaurants and resort. Cha Am have many Thai tourist, specially people from Bangkok come here on weekend and holidays.
If you like fish and seafood restaurants Cha Am have great selection.
The town, fishing port and beach promenade 100% available for both manual and electric wheelchair.

Jail House. Danish restaurant in the center of Hua Hin. Should you need some great Danish food, then I recommend visiting Kurt in '"Jail House ". He also sells fresh made rye bread (black bread) and “Danish liver pate” out of the house.
Here are a few steps. But the owner is nice to help the wheelchair inside.

Thai boxing (Muay Thai) is a good experience if you like martial arts. In the center of Hua Hin is a boxing arena to host matches each week. It is a very aggressive sport, where both punches and kicks are used.
There are very loud music, shouting and screaming during the game. Thai people are very happy money playing and you will see the way that money changing hands.
There are stairs outside, but the staff are very strong athletes is friendly  to assist wheelchair users.

My future in Thailand

After the first stay in Thailand, I was so excited about Thailand, its people and the fantastic climate, so I've decided that I will stay in Thailand about. 6 months per year.
I have rented a small 1 room apartment in the center of the house Hin, and I have made some small change so it works well for wheelchair user. The property is rented on 2 year contract so I could get the price way down.
So now I will stay there most of the winter, so I get rid of pain and discomfort during the cold Danish weather.
It's no problem to fly alone to Thailand and come by taxi to Hua Hin although I am a wheelchair user. In the airports, they are very nice to help me in and out of the plane, and Bangkok airport offers personalized service right to the taxi with my luggage.

Memo list:
Passports and  Visa. You have to make sure about the rules from your country when you visit Thailand. But from most country people need visa if they want to stay longer than 30 days in Thailand.

Credit cards, 2 cards will be preferable in the event that theft or loss. (My Mastercard Gold has included free travel insurance for up to 2 months' travel).

Specify aircraft carrier if you need wheelchair / toilet chair / ramps and other aids with the plane.
Airline MUST follow the EU legislation include the necessary rehab equipment free of charge. I have never had problem with my extra handicap equipment on the travel.
 

Medicine and disposable disability articles.
Always remember to pack these things so you have to at least 8-14 days of consumption in the hand luggage (talk from my own bad experience). Since it can be very difficult to obtain new product in Thailand if the suitcase was lost in transit.
Much medicine can be obtained in Thailand, but think it will be virtually impossible to obtain such as catheter of the same quality that you normally use. And it takes time to get new sent from Denmark or other place in the world… When I had something send express to me from Denmark, It take about 5 days.

Do you use pressure relife pillow with air (ROHO or similar), then ALWAYS extra pillow, as there is a risk that the puncture. Eventually bring. also "SPARCO AUTO SILICONE" to make emergency repairs on the pillow.

Remember also to use your pressure relieving cushion on the plane because it is very long to sit still at risk for pressure ulcers.
Wear the support stockings on the plane, and don’t use shoes if it’s not needed.

Bring gel, swabs, or spray to clean hands. Since it is not always possible to get out on the toilet in restaurants and washing hands. It’s also possible to buy this kind of product everywhere in Thailand.

Insurance

The Danish yellow health insurance will not do in Thailand. So it is very important that you get the sign proper travel insurance.
IT'S NOT HERE U CAN SAVE MONEY.
If you  become ill and need for repatriation, It can easily cost you a fortune. All hospital treatment in Thailand is only for cash, and although it is much cheaper to be in hospital in Thailand, so you can quickly be ruined if anything happens.

I am insured through my MasterCard Gold, it provides comprehensive travel cover for up to 60 days of travel.
At my 4 month trip, I have just paid supplementary insurance to 2 additional months. It costs approx. 900 Danish kr. months.

Western stores.
There are many huge shopping centers and major supermarket chains in Thailand, they has everything you find in Europe. So there is no reason to fill your suitcase with food, shampoo, suntan lotion, etc. since you can buy EVERYTHING in Thailand at cheap rates.

Markets
There are plenty of places with markets and trade stalls where there is opportunity to make a good deal. Here you can buy everything, from clothing, food, live animals, Thai art, handicrafts and counterfeit goods.
There are also floating market where you sail around in boats between traders who also are on boats.
This can be done with a wheelchair. They are nice to lift the wheelchair on board.

                                       

Imported goods from the West are often expensive in Thailand, for example wine, cell phone computer and TV costs the same or more than in Europe.
Thai products are generally cheap, but beware, because it’s easy to be cheated in the market. They often overcharge for tourists. It is not uncommon for it to double price for tourists. So haggle about the price. Do not be shy about mention a price which is very low at first, so there is little to negotiate.

Tailor.
There are many tailor who makes beautiful clothes for cheap money. Far from all tailor is good craftsman, so do not go to the first and best tailor.
Select tailor carefully, as there are many impersonators in the industry, and there is much difference in quality. Do not order a lot of clothes first time you use a tailor, but try for example with a shirt or pair of pants first and see if they can deliver a good product.
Here I speak from experience when I had bought 3 pairs of jeans, 2 shirts and a suit. Everything appeared to be rubbish and thrown into garbage bin when I came home to Denmark.

The food.
The Thai cuisine is a wonderful fragrance, taste and visual experience. But it can be very spicy with chilli, curry, soy, fish sauce, oyster sauce, etc. . So if you do not like too spicy food, it would be a good idea to ask the waiter to get it prepared "not spicy"or "Farang spicy"
Eating chili is something that requires a little getting used to. So start with something not too spicy, if you are not accustomed to Chili.  

In Hua Hin there are 2 Danish restaurants, I highly recommend Jail House, located right in the center and is powered by a Dane named Kurt. He has everything good from the Danish choice, such as. steak with onions, fried bacon with parsley sauce, lunch plate with Danish butter bread and schnapps.
Admirals Pub and Restaurant in the center of Hua Hin is also a Danish restaurant.

There are also Danish bars in town. I can recommend "No Name Bar", owned by Wan and Flemming. Very small but cozy place where you can have a chat with other Scandinavians. .

In Thailand, they don’t  drink so much wine, but they make some excellent beer that tastes great with the spicy food.

Thailand is very lush with lots of fruit and vegetables. From exotic fruit which tastes heavenly, for the fruits which sucks quite appalling and where your hands will smell long after, even if you wash your hands (I've tasted them, but they tasted really bad, but many Thai people love this fruit).
Can highly recommend tasting some of it not found in our continent. Do not be afraid to taste something new. If Thai people can eat it, you will not die from try tasting.

Useful tips
It may be a good idea to check flight prices on the web, for example  on www.momondo.dk (Voted as the world’s best search engine for travel ticket in travel magazines).
The travel cost can be very different depend where you fly from, it may be several 100 euro to save if you're willing to take a stopover in another country. I usually fly to Amsterdam and on to Bangkok with China Airlines, most of times it's cheapest flight from Denmark.

If you buy ticket online, remember to call the aircraft carrier and tell them about the extra baggage if you have wheelchair and other aids to take with you. All necessary equipment carried free. Remember to ask for help in entering and off the plane, if necessary. Disabled can only travel alone if you do not need personal assistance during the flight.

Do you have a disability that makes you dependent on that just a little bit of help in your home country, then do not travel alone to on your first Thailand holiday, as there are quite a few more hurdles for the disabled.
If you cope with staying alone where you live, then it’s also possible to travel alone to Thailand. But I will NOT recommend that unless you are 110 % sure that the hotel are wheelchair friendly. And it will also be good to have a personal network if something happened and you need to call for help.

Do not trust that a hotel is wheelchair friendly, though they promise. For Thai people, it is accessible only to get a 60 cm wide wheelchair in, and the toilets are usually so small that you can’t close the door and it’s impossible to turn the chair when you want out of there again.But there are a few very good hotels, guesthouse and villas.   You can contact me to hear more about it.

                             
It takes courage to come around in a wheelchair in the cities. The sidewalks are ABSOLUTELY not accessible to the disabled. So you'll have to move out on the roads (there are sometimes very crazy traffic). However, most Thais are good at taking care of wheelchair user in traffic, though it sometimes may seem a little too exciting. Be careful with Tuk Tuk driver, most of then drive really crazy on the narrow roads.
Remember lots of lights and reflectors to the wheelchair when it gets dark early and there are long way between street lights.

Do you want a longer trip, taxi almost the only solution. There are open pickup taxis where you sit on benches and Toyota minibus where they can remove a few seats to accommodate wheelchairs. Both can easily use for both manual and electric wheelchairs, BUT remember to bring your ramp minimum. 2.1 meters.
There are also many small taxis car (Toyota Corolla, Honda Jazz and similar), they can bring a manual wheelchair in the trunk. This is a lot cheaper than a minibus.
It's cheap to go by taxi in Thailand, an ordinary night out at about 5-8 km costs approx. 150 baht = 3,45 Euro
A trip from Bangkok to Hua Hin (220 km) costs between 1500 and 4000 baht = approx 34 -92 Euro (Depends on the taxi type).
I've also been on a 2 day trip in luxury minibus in excess of 600 km. we agreed beforehand a price of 10,000 baht =230 Euro

ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT YOU AND THE DRIVER AGREE ABOUT THE PRICE BEFORE YOU DRIVE. And if it’s a longer trip and you don’t know the drive then ask him to write it on paper to you.
                  

Thai people are very hospitable and friendly and would like to talk to tourists. But their English is usually not very good. So sometimes it requires some patience to understand them. Spend some time on it, for it will surely reward.
Until a few years ago Thais not learned much spoken English in school, but many are appropriate for written English. So if there is a word or a number you do not understand then try to get them to write it instead.
Will you be there for longer it would also be good to learn a few Thai words. They are always smile so friendly when you can say hello, thanks and similar in Thai language. It is possible to get on the Thai language school in all major tourist cities.

Thai girlfriend / wife
Thai women are generally at least as reluctant as European women when it comes to love affairs with a disabled man. Even she love u her family and friends will probably not thought much about it at first. But with a little luck you might find a sweet woman. Beware that it is not just a "gold digger" which is only going to get the best value out to you (this is mostly bar girls and farm girls from Esan).
There are many beautiful girls in bars, but if you take this kind of girls then be aware not to spend more money than necessary, since they are good at luring money from tourists by telling of their miseries and sick family who need money for going to hospital.

Before you spend  too much money on a women, then remember that a farm worker in Esan where many "foreigner interested" girls come from, only earn about 3500.5000 baht per month. So don’t give her a HUGE amount though she howls little over money problems in her family. And don’t give a lover a lot of gold. Because as soon as you travel home or she lacks the money, it will just be pawned.

Be very careful about sex in Thailand and remember ALWAYS condoms, as HIV and AIDS is more widespread in Thailand.

If you meet a Thai woman you want to live together in Europe. So think it through carefully and be quite sure that she is not a "gold digger". Expect that you must help support her family in Thailand (for though she promises that it is not necessary, it will actually probably turn out differently). Thais are taught to help each other, and the idea of ​​abandoning the family in need is unthinkable. They do not have free medical, hospital, schools and unemployment funds, so for them it is quite natural to pay what they can do without, if a family is in distress.
REMEMBER that the Thai culture is very different from the European. So it's not just your luck to take a woman to live in Europe with you. For she will surely get a hard time and missing out-life, street stalls, Thai TV, as well as people she can talk to.
It would be a good idea to take her on holiday in Your country  a few times of 3 months and that you take out to meet her family and village before you decide to marry her. Don’t decide Thai married to fast.

Help for your Thai holiday
I now have pretty good knowledge of Hua Hin, and knows some cheap hotels, guest houses, and villas where disabled people can live. I also know  tour organizer, taxi companies, restaurants, etc. So if you ever want to experience Thailand.
 If you ever want to come to Thailand on holiday or winter-stay, so please feel free to contact me to get good more travel advice.

                                              
You can fly direct from Copenhagen to Bangkok, SAS and Thai Airways. Be awake when you buy a ticket for there can easily be saved 200-300 euro on ticket in the same plane. Check prices www.momondo.dk
 

Facts about Thailand 
Thailand "Land of Smiles, Eastern Pearl" is one of the most exciting countries in the Far East.
This is where East and West meet, but the original culture and way of life is preserved, although Western values ​​have gained ground.

                                      
Thailand has much to offer tourists in addition to the Oriental culture. There are tropical palm beaches with all water sports and relaxation, to some of the finest golf clubs in the world. You can ride on elephant through the rainforest and visit the small unspoilt mountain villages in the northern part of the country. If you prefer some lively nightlife there will also be many options in Thailand.
Shopping is also one of the things that can tempt, and the supply is large and inexpensive by European standards, for example Thai silk, gemstones, bronze and silver goods, clothing, etc. If you enjoy the culinary, there are a myriad of local and international restaurants. A trip to Thailand may therefore be everything, from bustling shopping, nightlife, sightseeing, culture and sports to the more relaxing holiday lazing.

How to behave in Thailand:
Thais are not shaking hands when they say hello to each other. Instead they place the hands facing each other, as in prayer. This is called a "wai". It is normal that a young person greet an elderly by providing "wai" and the older person will reciprocate this "wai".
Men greet by saying "Sawasdee Khrap" and women say "Sawasdee Kha".

It's considered very rude to use one foot to point at something, especially to identify a person. Therefore we recommend very strongly to avoid identifying anyone with his feet when sitting opposite someone else.

Thais regard the head as the highest part of the body, both physically as spiritually. They can not accept that strangers touching them on this limb, although this is done as a friendly gesture. At various gatherings, young Thais do their best to keep your head at a level lower than the older participants in the gathering, so as not to look down on them. Obviously this is not always possible, but it is the effort that counts.
It is considered degrading to publicly express emotions between men and women. But you can see young Thai couple holding hands, but this is also the longest, you can go in this friendly community.
To show anger, especially in public, will in most cases do not lead anywhere. Thai people consider this bad behavior. You have greater chances to achieve the desired result if maintaining a cool head and show courtesy.
Do not be surprised to be charged with your first name ( Mr John or Miss Mary) instead of your last name. This is because Thais usually targeted in this way, usually with the title "Khun" (Mr. Mrs. or Miss) in front of the name.
 

Clima
Thailand is located in tropical climates. March and April are the warmest months with an average temperature between 28 and 38 degrees. There are three different seasons in Thailand, the cold season (November to February), the hot season (March-May) and rainy season (June-October).

Check the weather forecast for Hua Hin http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/48475.html
                            
                                                            
Disability and heat
32 degrees is hot, ... but it does not feel like 32 degrees in Scandinavia. For my part, it is not uncomfortable with the heat in the winter time.
In summer when it is rainy season in Thailand is quite high humidity, but I can better enjoy this season, because there is overcast much of the day, so it's more comfortable to live outdoors. It rains seldom more than ½ -2 hours, and many days no rain. So you definitely should not be deterred from traveling in the rainy season.
If you are not too thrilled with afternoon sun, then you can possibly keep in shade for a few hours over dinner, or indoors with air conditioning at home or in the mall.
The evening weather is fantastic nice to sit at an outdoor restaurant and enjoy a good dinner. Evening / night temperature range between 20 and 27 degrees.

I have seen that the climate in Thailand has great impact on my wellbeing. I feel very bad with the Danish winter, and my neuropathic pain gets much worse by the cold moist Danish winter weather. Then same day I arrive in Thailand I stop the medication I take for neuropathic pain, and despite the fact I have it better than on a nice summer day in Denmark .... This is the main reason for my great enthusiasm for Thailand, but there follows many others benefits in the bargain.