Condoms To Greet Thailand Tourists

[george]

Condoms to greet tourists

BANGKOK: -- Aside from the famous Siamese smile, tourists who step foot in Thailand from July 8-16 will be greeted with a condom, to mark the Kingdom’s role in hosting the XV World HIV/Aids Conference.

About 350,000 condoms are set to be given away during the period, when more than 20,000 delegates from across the world are expected to descend on Bangkok.

On July 6, condoms will be distributed to motorists who use the expressways during the conference, as well as travellers at Hualamphong Train Station, according to Senator Mechai Viravaidya, who is chairman of the Population and Community Development Association (PDA).

“The condoms will come in two sizes. The ones given away at the airport will be of a larger size. The others are to fit Thais,” Mechai said, adding that if the volume of condoms was not enough, more would be supplied.

As part of the campaign, police officers will also distribute condoms to motorists stuck in traffic.

PDA is the main non-profit organisation promoting the use of condoms as a means to control birth rates and the spread of HIV/Aids.

Mechai, who was in charge of Aids prevention during the Anand administration, expressed satisfaction with Thailand’s attempts to control the spread of the disease.

“During 1991-1992, about 250,000 people were infected annually. Now, the number has fallen to 16,000. It’s been an immense success,” he said.

--The Nation 2004-06-23

[possom]

i understand the reason of making people aware of safe sexual practice, but fear this is just another confirmation for those who see LOS as a sex tourist destination .

[konangrit]

i understand the reason of making people aware of safe sexual practice, but fear this is just another confirmation for those who see LOS as a sex tourist destination . 

Not to mention the fear Thai men have that this is just another confirmation of the size of their endowment:

“The condoms will come in two sizes. The ones given away at the airport will be of a larger size. The others are to fit Thais,”

But jokes aside, Khun Mechai has done a great job turning the AIDS/HIV problem around in Thailand. When you look at the situation in sub-saharan Africa you realise that this is just too big a problem to sweep under the carpet, as China is just starting to find out to it's cost.