A subcommittee on the elimination of discrimination against persons with disabilities will meet soon to address the problem of a domestic airline refusing to allow disabled passengers in wheelchairs to board its flights.

Social Development and Human Security Minister Varawut Silpa-archa said today that he is saddened by the airline’s discriminatory treatment of disabled people and has instructed officials to raise the matter with the subcommittee.

He said he is fully aware of the plight of disabled people, for whom leaving home every day is often a challenging adventure, not knowing how they will be treated by other people.

He also said that his 90-year-old mother uses a wheelchair every time she goes outdoors.

Noting that Thailand is becoming an aging society, the minister admitted that facilities for persons with disabilities are still lacking.

Meanwhile, Sorawut Noengchampong, secretary to the transport minister, said that the airline in question has been told to clarify its regulations pertaining to disabled passengers and to explain why it has rejected passengers in wheelchairs.

He went on to say that a working group, comprising officials and representatives of disabled people, will be formed to address the problem of discrimination against disabled people on public transport.