Thai editorial: Condoms, Valentine's and moral panic

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EDITORIAL
Condoms, Valentine's and moral panic
The Nation

Sex education for teenagers must be more than a seasonal effort

BANGKOK: -- The seasonal campaign is up and running once again. As Valentine's Day approaches, the authorities have stepped up measures aimed at preventing unwanted pregnancies and the spread of HIV/Aids.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has announced it will distribute more than three million condoms on the day itself. But, despite high levels of concern over sexual behaviour among teens, action to tackle its consequences remains limited. In a nutshell, sex remains a taboo topic at most levels of Thai society.

The Public Healthy Ministry had proposed that condom vending machines be installed in all secondary schools and vocational colleges. Other authorities rejected the idea outright, wary that it would be perceived as encouragement to have sex. National Office of Basic Education Commission chief Kamol Rodklai said there was no need for such machines and there must be more appropriate measures. Youngsters, he said, "don't [think] that much about it [sex]".

The Obec chief's attitude sums up the problem in Thailand. As long as sex remains a taboo topic, adults will refuse to talk about it and youngsters will continue to have unprotected sex, not realising the possible consequences. Although sex education is included in school curricula, it is mostly taught as a health issue and youngsters get insufficient information about safeguards. These days they're exposed to more sexual imagery at an earlier age, but the guidance they're given has not grown in step.

Evidence of the consequences of this neglect is clear: While Thailand's birth rate is in decline, teen pregnancies have increased by 43 per cent over the past decade. A teenager gives birth every four minutes. According to the United Nations Population Fund, there were 2.4 million mothers aged 15-19 in Thailand in 2012. That alarming figure has helped spur the launch of several measures to tackle unwanted pregnancies, but these have been hampered by a lack of cooperation among the authorities. The difference in opinion between Obec and the Health Ministry over installing condom machines is just one example.

Making condoms more available is still perceived by many policymakers, educators and parents as an encouragement to sexual activity rather than as a safeguard against unwanted pregnancy or the transmission of disease. Over the years there has been no shortage of campaigns promoting the use of condoms, but most meet with widespread criticism and even organised protest.

Thailand's problem with unwanted teenage pregnancies is actually perennial, not seasonal. Authorities have recognised this and addressed the problem in the National Economic and Social Development Plan. The plan states that, for a sustainable solution, the cooperation of all parties involved must be sought. But the steady increase of teen mothers demonstrates that so far it isn't working.

Perhaps our biggest problem here is that we have lost our way. Speaking recently at a seminar on teenage pregnancy, an expert from the Path to Health Foundation proposed that we start by changing the perception in adults that sex has nothing to do with teenagers. We first must accept there is a problem. Then all parties should join hands to provide teens with the information and aid they need to negotiate this tricky period of their life safely.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Condoms-Valentines-and-moral-panic-30253829.html


-- The Nation 2015-02-11

[Mangkorndang]

"Education Commission chief Kamol Rodklai said there was no need for such machines and there must be more appropriate measures. Youngsters, he said, "don't [think] that much about it [sex]".

He is not serious is he ? Teenagers thinking about sex. At that age it was all I thought about.

[NongKhaiKid]

Little wonder Thai education is a disaster with people like Kamol having a say in it and that goes far beyond condom machines.

Saying teenagesr don't think much about sex ! Is that out of touch with reality or what ?

[chooka]

"Education Commission chief Kamol Rodklai said there was no need for such machines and there must be more appropriate measures. Youngsters, he said, "don't [think] that much about it [sex]".

He is not serious is he ? Teenagers thinking about sex. At that age it was all I thought about.

Like wise, if it couldn't run then I screwed it. Animal, mineral or vegetable it was all fair game. Ring barked a lot of forests in my day and aren't planning on retiring just yet.

[WhamBam]

chief Kamol Rodklai said there was no need for such machines and there must be more appropriate measures. Youngsters, he said, "don't [think] that much about it [sex]".

BUT added to that.......

While Thailand's birth rate is in decline, teen pregnancies have increased by 43 per cent over the past decade. A teenager gives birth every four minutes. According to the United Nations Population Fund, there were 2.4 million mothers aged 15-19 in Thailand in 2012.

A 43% increase and the teens do not think about sex much. Then where has the 43% increase come from? The Stork? Ghosts in the bed?

It is about time Thailand was brought into the 21st century and not languishing in the dark, distant past.

[Bluespunk]

" Basic Education Commission chief Kamol Rodklai said there was no need for such machines and there must be more appropriate measures. Youngsters, he said, "don't [think] that much about it [sex]".

There's a man who is in the wrong job, as he clearly has no idea about what he is talking about.

[bkkjames]

Sex...I remember that

[docshock13]

" Basic Education Commission chief Kamol Rodklai said there was no need for such machines and there must be more appropriate measures. Youngsters, he said, "don't [think] that much about it [sex]".

There's a man who is in the wrong job, as he clearly has no idea about what he is talking about.

It's the old Thai stick your head in the sand approach to avoid facing challenging problems: if we just ignore, it will go away.

Problem? What problem? If I don't acknowledge it, it cannot exist.

[mca]

All I can remember from my youth is the fact that I'd try it on with the crack of dawn if I thought I'd have half a chance.

[HansIsaan]

"While Thailand's birth rate is in decline, teen pregnancies have increased by 43 per cent over the past decade. A teenager gives birth every four minutes."

Well, just go to that teenager and tell her to stop!

[Mr Somtam]

"While Thailand's birth rate is in decline, teen pregnancies have increased by 43 per cent over the past decade. A teenager gives birth every four minutes."

Well, just go to that teenager and tell her to stop!

Yeah, dumb cow, stop giving birth!

[h90]

"Education Commission chief Kamol Rodklai said there was no need for such machines and there must be more appropriate measures. Youngsters, he said, "don't [think] that much about it [sex]".

He is not serious is he ? Teenagers thinking about sex. At that age it was all I thought about.

He should be relived of duty....Not for his opinion, but for being total disconnected with reality. He might be an excellent librarian in some Buddhist monastery.

[CWMcMurray]

Why not just build more football fields ? ....

Heard that the answer on Onet exams said that if kids feel the urge to have sex... The correct thing to do is to go play football...

[binjalin]

this strategy is more in line with Victorians than a modern society as they, too, hid 'sex' and such 'dirty going's on' under the carpet (while they fully indulged of course)

it's a strange dichotomy that Thailand can accept Ladyboys, TGs, Toms et al yet shudders at condoms, sex clinics, sex shops and online porn

[wirat69]

"Education Commission chief Kamol Rodklai said there was no need for such machines and there must be more appropriate measures. Youngsters, he said, "don't [think] that much about it [sex]".

He is not serious is he ? Teenagers thinking about sex. At that age it was all I thought about.

Clearly they did not teach you that football was a better pursuit!!!!!!!

[Ceruhe]

There's a man who is in the wrong job, as he clearly has no idea about what he is talking about.

You make it sound as if that's something very uncommon hehe

[h90]

Sex...I remember that

I must look up at Wikipedia, can't remember.....

[The manic]

Sex...I remember that

Free sex. I remember that!

[wow64]

If Valentines Day was banned there would be no need to sex education or condoms also there would be no HIV.

[EmptyHead]

It doesn't really work. Often unwanted teen pregnancies go up after sex education is introduced. Look it up.

[Stradavarius37]

As if this is only a "Thai" problem...

[siampolee]

Here is the ideal Valentines Day present.

[Stradavarius37]

It doesn't really work. Often unwanted teen pregnancies go up after sex education is introduced. Look it up.

It's your assertion - you prove it otherwise it's just bullsh@t

[iReason]

"As Valentine's Day approaches, the authorities have stepped up measures aimed at preventing unwanted pregnancies and the spread of HIV/Aids."

It's Valentine's Day's fault.

"Thailand's problem with unwanted teenage pregnancies is actually perennial, not seasonal."

How about Thai society addressing the issue of worthless punks knocking up the young ladies and then abandoning them and the child?

Will never happen.

That would require accepting responsibility.

[wileycoyote]

Surely the need is to reduce number of cases of STD

[DM07]

chief Kamol Rodklai said there was no need for such machines and there must be more appropriate measures. Youngsters, he said, "don't [think] that much about it [sex]".

BUT added to that.......

While Thailand's birth rate is in decline, teen pregnancies have increased by 43 per cent over the past decade. A teenager gives birth every four minutes. According to the United Nations Population Fund, there were 2.4 million mothers aged 15-19 in Thailand in 2012.

A 43% increase and the teens do not think about sex much. Then where has the 43% increase come from? The Stork? Ghosts in the bed?

It is about time Thailand was brought into the 21st century and not languishing in the dark, distant past.

I would be happy, if at least on some points, they would enter the 20th century first...

[maidee]

talking sex is taboo in the biggest sex tourism country of the world ...

what do they say, the thai people ? against buddist rules ?

greed, murders, killings, rapings, robbings, scammings, smoking & drinking is not particulary buddist, but they do anyway

[bangon04]

"Youngsters, he said, "don't [think] that much about it [sex]"."

"The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has announced it will distribute more than three million condoms on the day itself"

Well that won't focus their thinking at all, will it?

[Yann55]

What surprises me is not the fact that a politician with high responsibilties can be totally disconnected with reality ... It's the fact that people find it surprising.

I'm actually surprised when a politician is connected with reality. But I'm not sure there are enough of those around to even play bridge.

[ggt]

A teenager gives birth every four minutes...