Health Rising HIV Cases Among Thai Youth Prompt New Health Initiatives

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

In response to rising HIV infection rates among young people, Thailand's Deputy Minister of Public Health, Chaichana Dechdecho, announced plans to collaborate with educational institutions and private sectors. The initiatives aim to bolster sexual health education and provide greater access to condoms.

 

During a House session, Mr Chaichana addressed questions from Senator Parinya Wongcherdkwan about the country's HIV prevention efforts and funding. Although overall figures show a decline, young people are increasingly representing new cases. The ministry plans to curb new infections to under 1,000 annually and reduce deaths to fewer than 4,000 per year.

 

Efforts will include partnerships with private companies in high-risk sectors and expanding HIV testing facilities. Mr Chaichana also revealed that despite 8,000 new cases in recent statistics, projections for the second half of the year aim to keep new infections below 3,000.

 

Bangkok, Chon Buri, Khon Kaen, and Nakhon Ratchasima are the provinces with the highest infection rates, largely due to their tourist populations.

 

The Public Health Ministry invests 8.4 billion baht annually in HIV initiatives, with 7.7 billion baht sourced domestically and 788 million baht from international aid. Of the budget, 6.2 billion baht is allocated for treatment medications, while prevention programmes receive 1.2 billion baht.

 

Approximately 500,000 people receive treatment, including over 5,700 foreign nationals. Treatment costs average 12,000 baht per person annually.

 

The Senate inquiry highlighted concerns about the country’s HIV prevention strategies and the financial impact of providing for foreign HIV patients, prompting a reassessment of current measures.

 

This comprehensive approach underscores the urgent need to address the evolving HIV landscape among Thailand's youth, reflecting a commitment to significant health improvements in the coming years.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-07-08

 

 

[newbee2022]

Teaching in schools about safer sex  is appropriate. 👍

 

[captain_shane]

If they don't get this aids epidemic under control it's going to completely destroy the nightlife in this country.

[ronster]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Approximately 500,000 people receive treatment, including over 5,700 foreign nationals. Treatment costs average 12,000 baht per person annually

What treatment are the foreign nationals receiving 🤔

Are they having to buy meds at inflated prices or are they getting them cheap.

[hotchilli]

14 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Teaching in schools about safer sex  is appropriate. 👍

 

At the appropriate time/age.

[newbee2022]

Just now, hotchilli said:

At the appropriate time/age.

That's common sense.

[captain_shane]

15 minutes ago, captain_shane said:

If they don't get this aids epidemic under control it's going to completely destroy the nightlife in this country.

I suppose the people giving me thumbs down already have HIV, otherwise what did I say was wrong? Do you think surging cases of HIV will have a positive effect on nightlife?

[hotchilli]

16 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

That's common sense.

Rarely seen in Thailand

[hotchilli]

32 minutes ago, captain_shane said:

If they don't get this aids epidemic under control it's going to completely destroy the nightlife in this country.

If people are willing to risk it, ie service girls & customers then there's not much anyone can do to stop it.

Between willing partners there's a chance but in the sex trade... that's a different ball game.

[newbee2022]

6 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Rarely seen in Thailand

As rare or often as in other countries, not a Thai problem only

[newbee2022]

23 minutes ago, captain_shane said:

What are they going to do? Tell ladyboys to force punters to use condoms when sticking it up their ass?

I'm not sure if this is the right wording to explain how and why to use condoms when the students are 11, 12 or 13 years old. But I'm very sure that you won't be the right teacher.

[Ralf001]

1 minute ago, newbee2022 said:

I'm not sure if this is the right wording to explain how and why to use condoms when the students are 11, 12 or 13 years old. But I'm very sure that you won't be the right teacher.

 

The uncles would be providing condom usage skills, surely!

[newbee2022]

16 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

The uncles would be providing condom usage skills, surely!

Amazing dirty, filthy, inappropriate comment of your's 

[Purdey]

Didn't some people post on AN last year that they refuse to use condoms? 

Russian roulette anyone?

[Ralf001]

16 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Amazing dirty, filthy, inappropriate comment of your's 

Which part of my post do you feel is not accurate?

[newbee2022]

4 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Which part of my post do you feel is not accurate?

Sorry, it was not meant to you. Apologies.

[dr_lucas]

They hopefully gonna teach the youth about HIV PEP and PrEP as well. 

[dr_lucas]

2 hours ago, ronster said:

What treatment are the foreign nationals receiving 🤔

Are they having to buy meds at inflated prices or are they getting them cheap.

Foreigners can easily get meds from the Thai Red Cross, for reasonable prices, probably much cheaper than anywhere else and identical to the prices Thais are paying. 

[Peterphuket]

All brothels close now....oh wait.

[Peterphuket]

Have mentioned this here once before, when I first came here in 1993, I already saw posters mentioning the dangers against AIDS, but apparently it didn't help much, but must admit from my own experience before that even the Thai don't take it that easy with contraceptives.

[Older and Wiser]

19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

In response to rising HIV infection rates among young people, Thailand's Deputy Minister of Public Health, Chaichana Dechdecho, announced plans to collaborate with educational institutions and private sectors. The initiatives aim to bolster sexual health education and provide greater access to condoms.

 

During a House session, Mr Chaichana addressed questions from Senator Parinya Wongcherdkwan about the country's HIV prevention efforts and funding. Although overall figures show a decline, young people are increasingly representing new cases. The ministry plans to curb new infections to under 1,000 annually and reduce deaths to fewer than 4,000 per year.

 

Efforts will include partnerships with private companies in high-risk sectors and expanding HIV testing facilities. Mr Chaichana also revealed that despite 8,000 new cases in recent statistics, projections for the second half of the year aim to keep new infections below 3,000.

 

Bangkok, Chon Buri, Khon Kaen, and Nakhon Ratchasima are the provinces with the highest infection rates, largely due to their tourist populations.

 

The Public Health Ministry invests 8.4 billion baht annually in HIV initiatives, with 7.7 billion baht sourced domestically and 788 million baht from international aid. Of the budget, 6.2 billion baht is allocated for treatment medications, while prevention programmes receive 1.2 billion baht.

 

Approximately 500,000 people receive treatment, including over 5,700 foreign nationals. Treatment costs average 12,000 baht per person annually.

 

The Senate inquiry highlighted concerns about the country’s HIV prevention strategies and the financial impact of providing for foreign HIV patients, prompting a reassessment of current measures.

 

This comprehensive approach underscores the urgent need to address the evolving HIV landscape among Thailand's youth, reflecting a commitment to significant health improvements in the coming years.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-07-08

 

 

Can't get the figures to tie up. Curb new infections to 1,000 a year and deaths to 4,000? How can 4,000 die if only 1,000 infections. That may be the case now because of existing infections, but going forward it wouldn't make sense if infections are curbed at 1,000.it would also be a hell of an achievement based on recent statistics on new infections of 8,000, which they will try to reduce to 3,000 for the second half the year. So, there must be at least 6,000 for the full year. Good luck in reducing that to 1,000.

[Toby1947]

3 hours ago, captain_shane said:

If they don't get this aids epidemic under control it's going to completely destroy the nightlife in this country.

Not for me, I don't go near them. 🤣😅👍

[IsaanGuy]

In a promiscuous society like that of Thailand self preservation should always be foremost in your mind especially with the rise of HIV and syphilis. Rubber up or pay the consequences!

[Ralf001]

2 hours ago, dr_lucas said:

Foreigners can easily get meds from the Thai Red Cross, for reasonable prices, probably much cheaper than anywhere else and identical to the prices Thais are paying. 

Free for Thai's as the meds are covered under the UCS.

[PETERTHEEATER]

The recent fire at a rubber factory in Samut Songhkran wont help the anti HIV cause.

[PopGun]

10 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

That's common sense.

There's not a lot of that about.🤨

[newbee2022]

10 hours ago, captain_shane said:

If they don't get this aids epidemic under control it's going to completely destroy the nightlife in this country.

.....even more the life of infected....

[newbee2022]

1 minute ago, PopGun said:

There's not a lot of that about.🤨

????

[PopGun]

1 minute ago, newbee2022 said:

????

COMMON SENSE 🙄

[newbee2022]

1 minute ago, PopGun said:

COMMON SENSE 🙄

a lot in Thailand, but how it is in YOUR country?