Thailand Issues Urgent AIDS Warning

[george]

Urgent Aids warning

BANGKOK: -- There will be up to 80,000 people dying of Aids and 50,000 others getting infected with the HIV virus by 2011 if the currently high morbidity rate continues, the Depart-ment of Labour Protection and Welfare warned Thursday in an Aids-related seminar.

Director-general Amphorn Nitisiri said there were 70 people with HIV/Aids dying on a daily basis, while 35 others were contracting the viral disease each day. There were 12,787 new Aids patients last year alone.

She said 85 per cent of Aids patients of around 500,000 were in the working age of 15-45 years. Of the total, 46,776 are beneficiaries of a state welfare scheme that provides anti-Aids medication.

-- The Nation 2009-08-20

[rkidlad]

As conservative as Thai people might seem, I've been with a few promiscuous girls. Not prostitutes, just normal girls. I've been told that Thai men don't like to wear condoms (I know this is a gross generalisation) I'm just quoting.

My advice to anyone is; wear a condom. They're cheap, easy to slip on, and 97% safe (I think) If you're a man who enjoys the company of a lady of the night - double bag it!

[BSJ]

The question I have is - What are the government doing about it?

500,000 infected and only 46,700 get help from the government. Obviously the government should do more.

[babuhavas]

Thats SAD

[WilliamCave]

Was out the other night to a local bar and my wife noticed that there were 3 mia nois in the local smale out of the way place...Thai men like others do not practice safe sex with theses girls and many of theses girls have more than 1 boyfriend and all of them not practicing safe sex. and then taking it home to there wifes ,,,,,my wife was telling me very very sad...At least if u are going to go out pratice safe sex.

[smallprawn]

The question I have is - What are the government doing about it?

500,000 infected and only 46,700 get help from the government. Obviously the government should do more.

This is a global problem and as such Thailand is no different to many countries. It boils down to education, knowledge and understanding. Thailand, however (or its government) appears to care little for the education of its people as there is no short term gain for poloticians conscerned.

I agree the authorities should be doing more.

Edited August 20, 2009 by smallprawn

[smallprawn]

The question I have is - What are the government doing about it?

500,000 infected and only 46,700 get help from the government. Obviously the government should do more.

This is a global problem and as such Thailand is no different to many countries. It boils down to education, knowledge and understanding. Thailand, however (or its government) appears to care little for the education of its people as there is no short term gain for poloticians conscerned.

I agree the authorities should be doing more.

I have also had the expirience of accompanying my fiance and three of her cousins to a blood doner unit in Nakhon Ratchasima (under Village chiefs request). I know first hand that two of the three work bar in Pattaya. The nurse was local, knew them and the manor of their work but it was never questioned? Blood was taken. One of them fainted and, after she remembered how to stand, we left. I found this quite worrying. Are tests done on each individual unit of before administration?

[zorro1]

Agree be safe for sure. 2 good old mates and very viagra sexually active have been coming to LOS yearly for over 30 years and they only take girls (regulars) that dont insist on condoms. There attitude is they are in their 70"s so they dont care however they are both super fit one being ex SAS. They do all their blood work at buhmingrad whilst here. Never a problem so the girls I assume would have many clients insisting the same. I dont get this and certainly dont agree but you cant argue the facts, you cant get lucky every time over so many years can you?, go figure

[Jingthing]

My advice to anyone is; wear a condom. They're cheap, easy to slip on, and 97% safe (I think) If you're a man who enjoys the company of a lady of the night - double bag it!

Wearing two condoms INCREASES the risk of condom breakage. Bad idea.

http://www.health.arizona.edu/health_topic...gtwocondoms.htm

[cdnvic]

I've been told that Thai men don't like to wear condoms (I know this is a gross generalisation) I'm just quoting.

If it's anything like motorcycle helmets they keep one hanging from their elbow.

[losworld]

Agree be safe for sure. 2 good old mates and very viagra sexually active have been coming to LOS yearly for over 30 years and they only take girls (regulars) that dont insist on condoms. There attitude is they are in their 70"s so they dont care however they are both super fit one being ex SAS. They do all their blood work at buhmingrad whilst here. Never a problem so the girls I assume would have many clients insisting the same. I dont get this and certainly dont agree but you cant argue the facts, you cant get lucky every time over so many years can you?, go figure

You should have a serious talk with your friends as it takes two to tango and although they may not care for their personal health they are endangering others. I would also be a bit more particular about who I hang around with. These are not good people.

[Datsun240Z]

E.D.U.C.A.T.I.O.N = keyword

[LaoPo]

Was out the other night to a local bar and my wife noticed that there were 3 mia nois in the local smale out of the way place...

Thai men like others do not practice safe sex with theses girls and many of theses girls have more than 1 boyfriend and all of them not practicing safe sex. and then taking it home to there wifes ,,,,,

my wife was telling me very very sad...At least if u are going to go out pratice safe sex.

"More than 90 percent of the 1.7 million women now living with HIV in Asia became infected while being in monogamous, long-term relationships with men who engaged in risky sex behavior, the report launched by UNAIDS said."

From:

50 Million Women In Asia At Risk Of Hiv Infection, "because...risky sexual behavior of husbands or boyfriends"

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/50-Million-W...-I-t288147.html

LaoPo

[Datsun240Z]

LaoPo: I believe Africa is still the leader when it comes to Aids, am I right?

[LaoPo]

LaoPo: I believe Africa is still the leader when it comes to Aids, am I right?

Yes it is:

http://www.avert.org/aids-statistics.htm World

http://www.avert.org/aidssoutheastasia.htm Thailand

According to the CIA world fact book there are around ( as of 2007) 610.000 people with HIV/AIDS in Thailand whilst 30.000 people have died (until 2007) from HIV/AIDS.

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/th...ok/geos/th.html

Of course, many organizations deliver various numbers but I think the numbers in the links, above, are pretty close.

Although not THE most dangerous country to have unprotected sex, Thailand still belongs in a very risky danger zone!

from:

http://filipspagnoli.wordpress.com/2008/12...e-with-hivaids/

LaoPo

//In 'Forum Support' members report they are not able to view the Aids map picture. I can not adjust your map link but have found the link to the picture

and have placed it below:

Edited September 10, 2009 by webfact
map included

[Loaded]

a large percentage of these cases are intravenous drug users sharing needles.

[sanmiguellight]

E.D.U.C.A.T.I.O.N = keyword

Thai people are very well educated about the use of condoms to prevent HIV/Aids yet they choose other wise.

Its the same in African nations they are educated but decide not to, your argument is leftwing propoganda that poor ol 3rd world person is stupid and needs rescuing by silver spoon fed, super educated western liberals.

[JR Texas]

E.D.U.C.A.T.I.O.N = keyword

Thai people are very well educated about the use of condoms to prevent HIV/Aids yet they choose other wise.

Its the same in African nations they are educated but decide not to, your argument is leftwing propoganda that poor ol 3rd world person is stupid and needs rescuing by silver spoon fed, super educated western liberals.

I understand what you are saying, but it really is important for charismatic figures (politicians, actors, etc) to educate Thais to the point where they take action. That happened before.........it is not happening now on the same scale.

The rate of infection has risen dramatically since its lows a decade plus ago..........in direct relationship to the lack of education (or emphasis on the subject).

The HIV/AIDS problem is most severe in sub-Saharan and southern Africa.

ABC........abstinence, be faithful (to one partner), condom (wear it)

[Scott]

Prevention requires a sustained effort and that's something you don't see in Thailand. There is the occasional crackdown and then it all goes away. It doesn't matter whether it's safe sex, A(H1N1), road accidents, drunk driving etc. It's out there for a while and then it all goes away and life returns to normal and not for the better much of the time.

[wasabi]

I've suspected HIV figures are much higher in Thailand than we are hearing. We all know how the disease is transmitted and with Thailand's cavalier attitude toward wearing condoms it is a recipe for an epidemic. I think they were doing great for a while but with HIV being around for decades now people seem to think it's gone away where in actuality it probably has mutated and gotten easier to catch. Very dangerous to be having sex without condoms in Thailand no matter what anyone's buddy or someone on a message board is saying about their 'stats' and never having gotten a dose.

[dale8]

Hello, it is sad for all the harm this disease will do to people and their families. The government will do nothing because they can not charge an on the spot fine, or maybe they can put a surcharge on bar fines. The condoms do not cost much, and it is the adventure that many people are looking for so the risk is not worth the experience. Cheers.

[PeaceBlondie]

This quote from the Thai officer in the OP sounds mis-stated:

"Director-general Amphorn Nitisiri said there were 70 people with HIV/Aids dying on a daily basis, while 35 others were contracting the viral disease each day. There were 12,787 new Aids patients last year alone."

I doubt they are dying off twice as fast as they are contracting the disease.

[rkidlad]

My advice to anyone is; wear a condom. They're cheap, easy to slip on, and 97% safe (I think) If you're a man who enjoys the company of a lady of the night - double bag it!

Wearing two condoms INCREASES the risk of condom breakage. Bad idea.

http://www.health.arizona.edu/health_topic...gtwocondoms.htm

Yea, it's a metaphor for 'be careful' I don't really expect anyone to put two condoms on.

[Jingthing]

Yea, it's a metaphor for 'be careful' I don't really expect anyone to put two condoms on.

Sure thing, but its a metaphor that many people take seriously. I know a lot of people actually believe two or three condoms are better than one.

[KhaoNiaw]

Thailand has really lost its way on this. There was once a time when the country was a model for HIV education and programs to combat the spread of the disease.

Edited August 21, 2009 by KhaoNiaw

[h90]

I've been told that Thai men don't like to wear condoms (I know this is a gross generalisation) I'm just quoting.

If it's anything like motorcycle helmets they keep one hanging from their elbow.

You think they do the same with condoms (hang them on their elbows)?

[rkidlad]

Yea, it's a metaphor for 'be careful' I don't really expect anyone to put two condoms on.

Sure thing, but its a metaphor that many people take seriously. I know a lot of people actually believe two or three condoms are better than one.

I can honetly say I've never met anyone who's worn two or even 'three' condoms. If it gets to the point where you're so scared of catching something from a particualar girl that you resort to wearing two or three condoms - then it's time to say no to sex with that girl.

If your friends or people you know are doing this, it's about time you question who exactly you're socialising with.

Maybe Forest Gump wore two condoms.

[OxfordWill]

Ask three Bangkok hiv doctors on the current states and you get 3 very different responses.

[CHINWA]

The question I have is - What are the government doing about it?

500,000 infected and only 46,700 get help from the government. Obviously the government should do more.

This is a global problem and as such Thailand is no different to many countries. It boils down to education, knowledge and understanding. Thailand, however (or its government) appears to care little for the education of its people as there is no short term gain for poloticians conscerned.

I agree the authorities should be doing more.

I have also had the expirience of accompanying my fiance and three of her cousins to a blood doner unit in Nakhon Ratchasima (under Village chiefs request). I know first hand that two of the three work bar in Pattaya. The nurse was local, knew them and the manor of their work but it was never questioned? Blood was taken. One of them fainted and, after she remembered how to stand, we left. I found this quite worrying. Are tests done on each individual unit of before administration?

Two weeks ago I saw on tv a case of a 2 years old child infected with the virus through blood transfusion in a hospital. The hospital admitted the fact and promise to provide treatment until the day she dies. The hospital has no insurance and as someone representing that hospital it seems that sometimes they don't test the blood for virus because there are no donors and a big shortage of blood. In resume, how does the government aprove the functionality of an hospital with this kind of administration who allow this kind of situations? As for the patient's family they go home happy knowing that they will lose child?. The family seemed to be low edcated people but after being shown on tv shouldn't the authoritues take immediate action? well just a comment but this kind of situation can happen to anyone in Thailand.

[FD333]

Agree, this alert reads oddly at first. A sad development. My guess is that the 500,000 AIDS victims should read HIV infected, though. That said, the number actually getting any help underlines the fact that whatever limited treatment a Thai can receive under the much exaggerated 30 baht health scheme, it doesn't stretch that far.

Posters are correct in that after Khun Mechai single handedly put Thailand at the forefront of AIDS awareness, precious little has been done in recent years.

However, this is not a Thailand specific problem as developed countries such the US and Australia have seen the recent rate of HIV infection increase dramatically. Awareness campaigns have had to be re-instated.

Likewise, the rates for STD's have also increased in many communities/countries. One bizarre pocket of increased STD's is within some of Christian fundamentalist communities where kids are 'taught' abstinence and refused any other sex eductation. So, kids being kids, they are having sex, catching STD's but then too ashamed to tell anyone (or sometimes are unaware) and then spreading the STD's further.

Personally, I have met any number of prats over the years who have bragged about going 'bareback'. I could give a crap what they do or possibly end up with but I have argued more than a few times that their lax and risky behaviour simply encourage working girls to be laxer and riskier in their behaviour. Remember the foreigner here who deliberately infected a high number of girls with HIV?

Obviously the entire sorrow issue od HIV/Aids needs to be kept front and centre