Thailand aims to be AIDS-free by 2033

[webfact]

Thailand aims to be AIDS-free by 2033
By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- More than 100,000 of the half-million HIV-positive population in Thailand don't receive proper treatment, but that's not discouraging health officials who want to eliminate AIDS from the kingdom.

Under a global initiative to stop the spread of AIDS, officials from the Thai Red Cross Society and the Ministry of Public Health announced last week an ambitious goal for defeating the disease as they prepare to host an educational event for World AIDS Day.

The 22nd Tian Song Jai, an event which educates netizens about HIV and its treatment runs Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 at The Mall Ngamwongwan in Bangken district. To encourage netizens to be aware of the disease, free blood test will be available at the event.

Somsak Attasin, the deputy director-general of the Ministry of Public Health, revealed there are approximately 500,000 HIV-positive citizens in Thailand [read more...]

Full story: http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2013/11/18/thailand-aims-be-aids-free-2033


-- Coconuts Bangkok 2013-11-18

[Jingthing]

What a ridiculous assertion. Where is the cure? Where is the vaccine? Without both of those ... please focus on ACTUAL possibilities.

[JeremyBowskill]

So they are going to fix poverty and education in Essan before 2033 then I assume?

[Bluespunk]

"Thailand aims to be AIDS-free by 2033"

While everyone applauds the goal, you've got to wonder how much of a grip on reality those behind that statement have. AIDS remains incurable and the HIV virus is highly adaptable. A cure is a long way off and to hide from that reality is irresponsible.

[TomTao]

There are only three ways this extremely ambitious goal is going to be achieved.

1. Find a cure in the next twenty years and administer it to every HIV sufferer in the kingdom.

2. Deport every sufferer to somewhere else, just throw a dart at the world map and see where it lands, that'll do.

3. reclassify the illness every sufferer has been diagnosed with to something else that while being contagious, doesn't engender fear.

There is a fourth possebility, but it would be too barbaric to mention.

[kotsak]

Another hub... Hub of big words..

[Thai at Heart]

The headline only tells a third of the story.

.zero deaths, zero new infections, zero discrimination.

A laudable idea but it doesn't imply aids free and I suggest that the Thais learn this before they embark on it. Otherwise, the incentive is to stop counting infections which leads to no treatment which causes it's own issues.

[Thai at Heart]

The headline only tells a third of the story.

.zero deaths, zero new infections, zero discrimination.

A laudable idea but it doesn't imply aids free and I suggest that the Thais learn this before they embark on it. Otherwise, the incentive is to stop counting infections which leads to no treatment which causes it's own issues.

[lostmebike]

What a ridiculous statement. As other posters have said, a whole load of educating needs to be done first.

[waza]

There are only three ways this extremely ambitious goal is going to be achieved.

1. Find a cure in the next twenty years and administer it to every HIV sufferer in the kingdom.

2. Deport every sufferer to somewhere else, just throw a dart at the world map and see where it lands, that'll do.

3. reclassify the illness every sufferer has been diagnosed with to something else that while being contagious, doesn't engender fear.

There is a fourth possebility, but it would be too barbaric to mention.

Yes your right they must stop all new infections and ensure that al HIV suffers die in the next 20 years if a cure is not found.

Edited November 18, 2013 by waza

[Chris Lawrence]

In the mean time can we have Mr Somsak Attasin's home address, in order to get people to move in with him until proper services are established. 20 years from now, who is going to remeber this statement; my way of thinking is to keep the ball rolling by camping at Deputy Director General's home so he understands the gravity of such a statement.

Positive reinforcement may equal positive action.

[worgeordie]

I thought the usual time given here to eradicate,crackdown,

solve problems, was 90 days,!, someone is been cautious,

anyway this prediction will be forgotten about in a few days.

regards Worgeordie

[Lupatria]

So by 2033 all of Thailnds finest are back in Isaan from Soi Cowboy, Nana and Patpong to plant rice and watch their former brand new pickups falling apart?

[Thai at Heart]

There are only three ways this extremely ambitious goal is going to be achieved.

1. Find a cure in the next twenty years and administer it to every HIV sufferer in the kingdom.

2. Deport every sufferer to somewhere else, just throw a dart at the world map and see where it lands, that'll do.

3. reclassify the illness every sufferer has been diagnosed with to something else that while being contagious, doesn't engender fear.

There is a fourth possebility, but it would be too barbaric to mention.

Yes your right they must stop all new infections and ensure that al HIV suffers die in the next 20 years if a cure is not found.

The headline is incredibly misleading. It states in the article ZERO NEW INFECTIONS, and ZERO DEATHS from HIV

Nowhere does it say AIDS free and if this stupid coconuts can't be bothered to interpret the bloody news and put up accurate headlines of what was actually said, I would consider it worse than useless, and probably deliberately disingenuos.

[bigbamboo]

I thought the usual time given here to eradicate,crackdown,

solve problems, was 90 days,!, someone is been cautious,

anyway this prediction will be forgotten about in a few days.

regards Worgeordie

I'm afraid there's only 45 days left before the axe falls but could this be Chalerm's last chance to keep his head (for once!) and offer a stay of execution.

I know I'm being daft here........ but they started it!

[nottocus]

The hub of AIDS free people.

[Water Buffalo]

No chance

[DocN]

Rubbish!

[JoeThePoster]

There are only three ways this extremely ambitious goal is going to be achieved.

1. Find a cure in the next twenty years and administer it to every HIV sufferer in the kingdom.

2. Deport every sufferer to somewhere else, just throw a dart at the world map and see where it lands, that'll do.

3. reclassify the illness every sufferer has been diagnosed with to something else that while being contagious, doesn't engender fear.

There is a fourth possebility, but it would be too barbaric to mention.

Yes your right they must stop all new infections and ensure that al HIV suffers die in the next 20 years if a cure is not found.

The headline is incredibly misleading. It states in the article ZERO NEW INFECTIONS, and ZERO DEATHS from HIV

Nowhere does it say AIDS free and if this stupid coconuts can't be bothered to interpret the bloody news and put up accurate headlines of what was actually said, I would consider it worse than useless, and probably deliberately disingenuos.

At the end of the Coconuts article - "Somsak said Thailand is set goal to become an AIDS-free nation within 20 years, Daily News reported".

[Crushdepth]

So I guess a lot of people will be leaving then?

[teacherofwoe]

More than 100,000 of the half-million HIV-positive population in Thailand don't receive proper treatment

500,000 known cases. The tip of the iceberg?

[silent]

Let us not be cynics! Didn't Martin Luther have a dream, that most said would never happen and did? (In spite of the triple k's theme song )

[Shancloudy]

Omg... 500,000? Too many are affected. To prevent aids showing " medical certificate " is a must before having a relationship to someone else..

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[dezeure]

There are only three ways this extremely ambitious goal is going to be achieved.

1. Find a cure in the next twenty years and administer it to every HIV sufferer in the kingdom.

2. Deport every sufferer to somewhere else, just throw a dart at the world map and see where it lands, that'll do.

3. reclassify the illness every sufferer has been diagnosed with to something else that while being contagious, doesn't engender fear.

There is a fourth possebility, but it would be too barbaric to mention.

and still knowing how Thailand has taken care of these situations before, I think their only option is number 4.... Remember what they did with all the beggars in Bangkok when Clinton came to visit... Ok, they didn't shoot them at least like with all the illegal Burmese that were captured, hands tied behind their back, and thrown in the water in the middle of the sea, and then shot at with automatic rifles...

too bad several of them washed ashore again on tourist destinations, with Thai military ammo in them... Oops...

[Sheryl]

Many posters seem to confuse "AIDS fee" with HIV free". Not the same thing at all. The latter is clearly impossible but the former is indeed possible. There is no need or reason, in this day and age, for any HIV+ Thai to develop AIDS.

Cambodia has succeeded in a comparatively short time in getting >85% of HIV+ people on treatment, Thailand has more resources and has had the treatment available longer but still lags behind. Stigma (including most notably self-stigmatization), poor interpersonal behavior by hospital staff (esp. the public hospitals, which is where most would need to go) and ignorance are behind this.

[Lobo4819]

And the police will be fluent in English in six months. How absurd. Who is the idiot behind the curtain that makes up all these ridiculous promises?

[Carl64]

More boring meaningless rubbish.

[sorbormoryorhor]

Fine words. Alas, this very culture is perfect for the virus.

However, the state of national transportion will lessen transmission, somewhat.

If people will not abide by traffic safety common sense...whats the chance they have safety sense when in the heat of the moment...in the sack.

HIV isnt a monster, its just a virus. The actions of people make it a monster. Culture directs our actions and thus consequences....evolution and elimination.

Fine words...but sooooo dangerous...where are his medical advisors or perhaps google was down before this brain fart.

[Hornell]

First it was drugs free, then traffic jam free, then coup free.... and now AIDS free.....!! Oh go on, why not declare Thailand to be 'death free' by 2036 whilst you're at it?!

[i claudius]

So ,not going to be the hub of aids then.?