Health HIV Surge in Phuket: Health Warning and Student in Viral Ordeal

[snoop1130]

Pictures courtesy of KhaoSod

 

Phuket is currently grappling with a significant rise in HIV and STD cases, as new figures reveal 244 recent infections, increasing the registered patient tally to 6,622. This alarming discovery has prompted urgent calls for enhanced public health measures.

 

Krittaya Charoensuk, a public health specialist, announced these findings for the second quarter of 2015. The data shows that only 5,699 of those infected are receiving continuous treatment, falling short of the health ministry’s goals. Mueang Phuket District emerged as the primary concern, identified as the province’s highest-risk area for these infections.

 

Further complicating the situation, a recent survey highlighted concerning attitudes within local healthcare facilities. It was found that 65.7% of healthcare workers expressed a fear of contracting HIV from patients. Additionally, half of the respondents admitted to holding negative views about the children of HIV-positive individuals. Discrimination within healthcare settings was reported by one in five workers, and one in four were unwilling to treat individuals from high-risk groups.

 

While these statistics underline the pressing need for improved awareness and treatment, a parallel story unfolds involving a local Thai student falsely accused of being a source of the virus.

 

The student has faced intense scrutiny and online abuse following baseless allegations. The virality of these claims has cast a harsh light on the social stigma associated with HIV, illustrating the damaging impact of misinformation. The student is now fighting to restore her reputation while drawing attention to the broader issue of stigma in disease management.

 

Public health officials in Phuket urge a dual approach to tackle this crisis: expanding treatment reach and fostering an environment where seeking care is stigma-free. The narrative highlights the region’s need for comprehensive education campaigns to dispel myths and foster empathy, ensuring all affected individuals feel safe and supported in accessing necessary health services.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-24

 

 

[Purdey]

HIV won't get transmitted if a condom is used. In fact, it isn't that easy to catch it unless one partner has a cut leading to infection through the blood. 

The kids of HIV parents sometimes don't want to reveal to their boyfriend/girlfriend that they were born with HIV, and therefore sometimes don't use condoms. It is an easily avoided situation.  

Very often, those infected with HIV also have another STD, so there may be telltale signs.

[bkk6060]

Still looks like unprotected sex gays are the problem. Seems really dumb and arrogant. Can't get tested or wear protection?

Also, my opinion is the number of gay is much higher as many lie during testing due to the stigma of being gay.

[fredwiggy]

22 minutes ago, Purdey said:

HIV won't get transmitted if a condom is used. In fact, it isn't that easy to catch it unless one partner has a cut leading to infection through the blood. 

The kids of HIV parents sometimes don't want to reveal to their boyfriend/girlfriend that they were born with HIV, and therefore sometimes don't use condoms. It is an easily avoided situation.  

Very often, those infected with HIV also have another STD, so there may be telltale signs.

A condom can prevent transmission but semen and vaginal fluid can still carry HIV .No cut is needed for transmission through regular intercourse. The percentage is small but still possible and does happen.

[hotchilli]

14 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

A condom can prevent transmission but semen and vaginal fluid can still carry HIV .No cut is needed for transmission through regular intercourse. The percentage is small but still possible and does happen.

True

[arick]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Pictures courtesy of KhaoSod

 

Phuket is currently grappling with a significant rise in HIV and STD cases, as new figures reveal 244 recent infections, increasing the registered patient tally to 6,622. This alarming discovery has prompted urgent calls for enhanced public health measures.

 

Krittaya Charoensuk, a public health specialist, announced these findings for the second quarter of 2015. The data shows that only 5,699 of those infected are receiving continuous treatment, falling short of the health ministry’s goals. Mueang Phuket District emerged as the primary concern, identified as the province’s highest-risk area for these infections.

 

Further complicating the situation, a recent survey highlighted concerning attitudes within local healthcare facilities. It was found that 65.7% of healthcare workers expressed a fear of contracting HIV from patients. Additionally, half of the respondents admitted to holding negative views about the children of HIV-positive individuals. Discrimination within healthcare settings was reported by one in five workers, and one in four were unwilling to treat individuals from high-risk groups.

 

While these statistics underline the pressing need for improved awareness and treatment, a parallel story unfolds involving a local Thai student falsely accused of being a source of the virus.

 

The student has faced intense scrutiny and online abuse following baseless allegations. The virality of these claims has cast a harsh light on the social stigma associated with HIV, illustrating the damaging impact of misinformation. The student is now fighting to restore her reputation while drawing attention to the broader issue of stigma in disease management.

 

Public health officials in Phuket urge a dual approach to tackle this crisis: expanding treatment reach and fostering an environment where seeking care is stigma-free. The narrative highlights the region’s need for comprehensive education campaigns to dispel myths and foster empathy, ensuring all affected individuals feel safe and supported in accessing necessary health services.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-24

 

 

A great thing to write about for your masters. Regarding health care professionals and their attitude towards HIV. 

[arick]

15 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

A condom can prevent transmission but semen and vaginal fluid can still carry HIV .No cut is needed for transmission through regular intercourse. The percentage is small but still possible and does happen.

You just need a little bit of blood on the tip of your cock hole!

[crazykopite]

I’m not surprised with all the foreigners  there tasting the samples from the bar girls and lady boys , it would be interesting to see how many foreigners have got it compered to Thais 

[MarkBR]

16 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

A condom can prevent transmission but semen and vaginal fluid can still carry HIV .No cut is needed for transmission through regular intercourse. The percentage is small but still possible and does happen.

If PreP drugs are used than no HIV Viral particles can be detected so there is zero possibility of transmission.  

Condoms next best method 

Also cannot be transmitted by oral sex as the mouth is full of lactobacilli (sauerkraut/cheese/yoghurt bacteria, etc); thus the mouth is an extremely hostile environment to most viruses.

[Ralf001]

16 hours ago, Purdey said:

HIV won't get transmitted if a condom is used. In fact, it isn't that easy to catch it unless one partner has a cut leading to infection through the blood. 

T

What if ya going the growl and the lady has the painters coming/going ?

[fredwiggy]

Just now, MarkBR said:

If PreP drugs are used than no HIV Viral particles can be detected so there is zero possibility of transmission.  

Condoms next best method 

Also cannot be transmitted by oral sex as the mouth is full of lactobacilli (sauerkraut/cheese/yoghurt bacteria, etc); thus the mouth is an extremely hostile environment to most viruses.

People get HIV all the time, as some don't use condoms or medicinal protection, and that's why it can be transmitted by oral, vaginal and anal sex. The best method is not going with women or men who've had multiple partners, especially in the same week. Many have died from Aids thinking there were somehow immune. Two known are Freddie Mercury and Ray Gillen, both rock singers who made the wrong choices.

[fredwiggy]

44 minutes ago, crazykopite said:

I’m not surprised with all the foreigners  there tasting the samples from the bar girls and lady boys , it would be interesting to see how many foreigners have got it compered to Thais 

They don't say who's getting them the most but that they have been rising...........https://wellmedbangkok.com/rising-sti-rates/.

[Ralf001]

45 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

. Two known are Freddie Mercury and Ray Gillen, both rock singers who made the wrong choices.

 

Both died early nineties.... how advanced was HIV medication back then?

[jvs]

Waiting for the first person to blame Cannabis use.

[Peter Crow]

1 hour ago, Ralf001 said:

What if ya going the growl and the lady has the painters coming/going ?

You'd better have your d$cks lined up.

[fredwiggy]

11 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

Both died early nineties.... how advanced was HIV medication back then?

Granted ,medications keep people alive longer but people still die every year from it, along with being carriers that are a danger to those they have sex with. Over 600,000 died worldwide in 2023, so it's not near eradicated or controlled.

[portisaacozzy]

1 hour ago, fredwiggy said:

People get HIV all the time, as some don't use condoms or medicinal protection, and that's why it can be transmitted by oral, vaginal and anal sex. The best method is not going with women or men who've had multiple partners, especially in the same week. Many have died from Aids thinking there were somehow immune. Two known are Freddie Mercury and Ray Gillen, both rock singers who made the wrong choices.

sheep are hiv free 

[Iron Tongue]

17 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Still looks like unprotected sex gays are the problem. Seems really dumb and arrogant. Can't get tested or wear protection?

Also, my opinion is the number of gay is much higher as many lie during testing due to the stigma of being gay.

 

It isn't the ladyboys & gays, it's the Western customer refusing to wear condoms.

 

 

 

 

[Ralf001]

15 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Granted ,medications keep people alive longer but people still die every year from it, along with being carriers that are a danger to those they have sex with. Over 600,000 died worldwide in 2023, so it's not near eradicated or controlled.

 

39.9 million people living with HIV in 2023.

600k (1.5%) died from HIV related illness.

 

What were those illnesses?

[fredwiggy]

4 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

39.9 million people living with HIV in 2023.

600k (1.5%) died from HIV related illness.

 

What were those illnesses?

Why would you dismiss what's a fact? People are still dying and 600K isn't just a few. Think of how many would be dying without science, and again, spreading Std's isn't a joke. Hiv related means just that.

[Ralf001]

Just now, fredwiggy said:

Why would you dismiss what's a fact? People are still dying and 600K isn't just a few. Think of how many would be dying without science, and again, spreading Std's isn't a joke. Hiv related means just that.

 

What did I dismiss ?

[fredwiggy]

3 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

What did I dismiss ?

You're saying so many are living with the illness and that 1.5% died from it. What else could that mean besides "only" 600K have died, so it's not but a small percentage? 

[Quentin Zen]

Phuket, land of the ladyboys!!!!!  I'm shocked.   Drinking, going out, ladyboys telling you they want sex immediately.   All for a few baht.   What could go wrong???  It's Thailand, go ahead, Russians, get some.  lol

 

LOS or Land of Sex must have AIDS to spice things up.    The sad part is, it's not limited only to sexpat Phuket.   I remember seeing (redacted)....ChatGPT, do some work

 

Several provinces in Thailand have been identified with higher rates of HIV/AIDS. Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Nayok, Phuket, and Chumphon are among the top provinces with higher incidence rates, according to data retrieved from the National AIDS Program (NAP). Additionally, provinces like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai also have significant numbers of people living with HIV. 

[Sir Dude]

I've read a few articles over the years here that say/imply that HIV and other STDs are quite unreportedly problematic in late-teen and university students (other sections of society too). Why? Ever heard of "Sideline girls" and a pretty casual attitude toward sex as a means to acquire status symbol items? Where does all the money come from for all those iPads/expensive clothes etc.?

On top of that, many new infections predominately happen in the gay section of society as that type of sex is way more risky on this front. Also, throw in the massive surge of Russians and Indians (which both countries have high infection rates, even if figures are suppressed) and it shouldn't be a huge suprise what's in this article. 

As an aside, yeah, the stigma and fear is outdated but peoples' and society's attitudes (along with the law) are always slow to change for the better, as old people are generally in charge of much, and in favour of either keeping it how it is or turning back the clock to some golden time that inhabits their nostalgic fantasies... hence the phrase "There are few things as dangerous as the nostagia of old men."... look no further than the dictators around the world. 

I guess the way to fix these problems is to make the PreP drugs widely and cheaply available, but that cost a lot of money, and fuddy-duddy old conservatives would just bleat about it ecouraging promiscuity etc., and thus were are back to slow change again (see above paragraph).

[Cameroni]

If a woman infects youi with HIV and she did not tell you she had HIV under Thai law you can sue her for negligence and she may also face criminal liability.

 

It is a small consolation for those infected, but you can ruin her life too in the courts. A court case will cost 200,000 baht in lawyer fees and may carry damages between 100,000 and 180,000 baht. For most of the girls this would be a financial death sentence.

 

Worth considering if you have the money for a court case.

[impulse]

Out of curiosity, what's the annual cost of HIV abatement therapy in LOS, assuming the patient isn't being subsidized by some gub'ment program? 

 

[Ralf001]

1 hour ago, fredwiggy said:

You're saying so many are living with the illness and that 1.5% died from it. What else could that mean besides "only" 600K have died, so it's not but a small percentage? 

39.3 million did not die though.

 

Reminds me of Covid deaths actually.... how many did die from "covid" that had no underlying conditions ?

 

The upside of "Covid".... nobody died from the Flu !