Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1999. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bangkok Post - Wednesday, July 28, 1999
Anjira Assavanonda
The media and officials had been irresponsible in suggesting the attacker was himself infected with the virus, said the National Network of HIV-Infected People.
According to police, the man has attacked 20 women in the Makkasan and Hua Mark areas in the past two weeks. Seven who filed complaints are awaiting their blood test results.
Two men arrested on Monday were released after the victims were unable to identify them as the assailants.
Vachara Paomung, representing the network, was critical of a psychiatrist at the Mental Health Department who suggested the attacker was not mentally ill but an HIV-carrier "since this group often feels oppressed and angry with society".
Mr Vachara said: "Such comments and reports foster a negative image of HIV-infected people and generated an Aids scare among the public."Calling on the police to redouble their efforts to bring the attacker to book, Mr Vachara said: "Once we heard the report, we felt that we were being targetted again. Why don't they think this might be a madman wanting public attention?"Usasinee Riewthong, of the Thai NGOs Coalition on Aids, said that even if the attacker did carry the virus, it would be important to establish his motives. "Instead of condemning him, we should look at the other side to find out why he has done this," she said.
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