Advocacy for equal employment chances for individuals with disabilities receives backing from the BMA
In a significant move towards inclusivity, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) recently hosted a town hall event at the TK Palace Hotel & Convention in the Chaeng Watthana neighbourhood. The event, titled "Bangkok Governor and executives of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) energise and listen to the voices of volunteers with disabilities," was presided over by Phanumas Sukamporn, Adviser to the Governor of Bangkok.
The event was designed to acknowledge the contributions of volunteers with disabilities and boost their confidence by giving them an opportunity to showcase their skills as an efficient team serving the public. Moreover, it served as a platform to recognise district officers who have offered job opportunities and training to volunteers with disabilities.
BMA's commitment to employing persons with disabilities is in accordance with the Persons with Disabilities' Quality of Life Promotion Act B.E. 2550 (2007). As of mid-2025, BMA currently employs 629 persons with disabilities across various types of disabilities and educational backgrounds. This effort is part of BMA's plan to expand its policy for greater sustainability in society, making Bangkok a more inclusive and livable city for all.
The BMA's policy adheres to the "3 Good BMA Model" — Good Support, Good Process, and Good Worker — which serves as a practical and effective framework for public sector employment. This model ensures ongoing management support, job training, and acknowledgement of contributions by volunteers with disabilities, enhancing confidence and skill demonstration in serving the public.
Phanumas expressed his gratitude to partner organizations and affirmed his belief in the 3 Good BMA Model benefiting Bangkok. He also emphasised that the event aimed to provide tangible evidence of the success of BMA's employment policy for persons with disabilities.
Looking forward, BMA plans to expand this employment policy for greater sustainability in society, signaling efforts to continue growing the number of persons with disabilities in the workforce and promoting a more inclusive and livable city environment for all residents. These plans include recognition of district officers facilitating training and job opportunities, which fosters broader societal engagement and practical impact.
In the broader context of labor policy, Thailand is improving workplace inclusivity by expanding parental leave and providing special childcare-related leave for employees with children who have disabilities, which can further support families of disabled individuals in the workforce. However, challenges remain in the informal employment sector, where significant numbers of disadvantaged populations, including those with disabilities, have limited access to training and skill development opportunities.
In summary, Bangkok's current employment policy for persons with disabilities is well-established with substantial government support and concrete numbers of employed persons. The city is actively planning to expand and sustain these initiatives to enhance inclusivity and long-term societal integration.
- Moving forward, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) intends to extend its employment policy for greater sustainability, aiming to increase the number of persons with disabilities in the workforce, fostering a more inclusive and livable city atmosphere.
- The BMA's efforts in workforce diversification encompass various facets, such as providing special childcare-related leave for employees with children who have disabilities, an initiative that supports families of the disabled in the workplace.
- The BMA's policy is grounded in the "3 Good BMA Model," which emphasizes Good Support, Good Process, and Good Worker, ensuring ongoing management support, job training, and acknowledgement of contributions for volunteers with disabilities.
- By implementing initiatives like the town hall event entitled "Bangkok Governor and executives of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) energise and listen to the voices of volunteers with disabilities," the BMA seeks to promote mental health, workplace wellness, and diversity and inclusion as essential elements of a thriving economy and business community.
- The BMA's partnership with various organizations enables them to fulfill their socioeconomic objectives, which emphasize health and wellness, financial stability, and education—pillars critical to the well-being of both individuals and society as a whole.
