Taxi driver drives blind girl and her dog
Some know Sai as the very first blind person in Thailand to use a guide dog, hers named Luther, instead of a cane. However, due to the lack of experience with guide dogs, many Thai locals don’t always understand the situations they are put through.
Because of this, Sai decided to create a Facebook page, ผมชื่อลูเต้อร์ – My Name is Luther, to document their daily life and spread information about living as a blind person in Thailand.
Sai shares her story about being refused by cabs
Image credit: ผมชื่อลูเต้อร์ – My Name is Luther
Recently, she shared a story about how she had been serviced by a kind taxi driver after being refused by 4 cabs previously – all because she had Luther by her side.
The driver that took them in was Mr. Charchai Thongsomboom, who was understanding enough to listen to Sai explain her situation before letting the duo get in.
Image credit: ผมชื่อลูเต้อร์ – My Name is Luther
Facebook users came together to pay their compliments to Mr. Thongsomboon and also provide encouragement to Sai and Luther.
Translation: Thank you taxi driver for letting the both of them to take your car. I wish you will get a lot of customers.
Translation: This driver is very nice. I think that Thailand will start to understand more about service dogs in the future.
Translation: It takes time to make a change. I’m rooting for you.
Learning to understand guide dogs’ roles in our society
Other drivers might have refused them due to not understanding the concept of guide dogs, as it is still quite new in Thailand. However, they are valuable to blind people as they are more intuitive, compared to tools like walking sticks.
Image credit: ผมชื่อลูเต้อร์ – My Name is Luther
With information and stories shared by Sai and Luther among others, we hope this situation will be better in the future. Soon, people will have a better idea of what a guide dog does, and know how to treat them properly.
Plus, this social movement can help promote the development of facilities for people with disabilities in the future.
Cover image adapted from ผมชื่อลูเต้อร์ – My Name is Luther