In a landmark verdict, the Bangkok South Civil Court also ruled that the Trio Garden Condominium had to comply with the ruling within 30 days, or there would be prison terms and/or a fine, for "not obeying a court order".

As a result, German Werner Treder, 64, will be given back a 3.8 by 6-metre parking space that he first used when he bought a unit at the condominium many years ago. The verdict's conditions regarding the penalties resulted from a legal improvisation made by the court, as a 2002 regulation for disabled people itself imposes no criminal or civil penalties on owners of buildings that do not provide facilities for occupants or users of relevant services with disabilities.

Bunrit Geeno, the lawyer representing Treder, said the regulation was somehow still effective.

He commented that the spirit of the regulation was good, but there should also be punishment of violators.

"This is a historic case and I am happy for winning it. This has proved that disabled people are entitled to every other right enjoyed by able-bodied people," he added. Rassamee, Treder's wife, said she was gratified with the verdict and it should be used as a case study for all disabled people to learn and benefit from.

She said her husband was a long-time resident in Thailand and had registered himself with authorities as a recognised disabled person.

After buying a unit in the condo - located on Bangkok's Srinakarin Road - Treder had a parking space near a lift in the five-storey car park.

However, the management later removed a disability sign and revoked his reserved space,

saying that Treder could drive and park his car at any slot before walking to the lift on his

prosthetic legs without assistance.