The Social Development and Human Security Ministry has signed a memorandum of understanding to provide guide dogs for blind people, the first project of its kind in Thailand.
The ministry yesterday signed the document with the army, agriculture and food conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Group, and the Thailand Association of the Blind.
Social Development and Human Security Minister Adul Sangsingkeo said the government aims to improve disabled people's quality of life, give them access to rights and welfare benefits, and arrange facilities to allow them to live freely on their own.
Providing them with the service of guide dogs is part of such efforts and is in compliance with the law on promoting and improving the disabled's quality of life, Pol Gen Adul said.
Under the MoU, the ministry's Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities will seek help from foreign organisations to send trainers, guide dogs and other related equipment.
Other state agencies along with the private sector will be asked to provide support in terms of personnel and venues to prepare the establishment of a permanent institute to provide guide dog services for the blind.
Personnel from the army's veterinary and remount department will be trained by foreign experts on how to handle guide dogs. After the training, the army personnel will become "prototype" instructors and will pass on their knowledge to other instructors.
The army will also provide personnel to take care of guide dogs in the initial stage of the project.
They will also prepare guidelines on how to train guide dogs and provide buildings and places to train and look after the dogs in the initial stage.
Under the MoU, Charoen Pokphand will supply dog food while the Thailand Association of the Blind will select blind people to join the training to handle guide dogs.
