Bangkok Post - July 7, 2001
Anjira Assavanonda and Anucha Charoenpo

Phra Alongkot Tikhapanyo, chief abbot of the temple considered to be the country's biggest hospice for HIV/Aids sufferers, said it was hard to know what effect the substance was having on patients, who suffer from various complications and are usually taking drugs as well.

Led by Pol Gen Salang Bunnag, the foundation yesterday handed out 1,000 sets of V-1 tablets at the temple in Lop Buri. Each set comprises 21 pills, enough to last three weeks.

Vichai Jirathitikal, inventor of V-1, said recipients would be required to report their condition to the foundation after taking the substance for two weeks. Phra Alongkot said he was willing to co-operate with the foundation as long as the substance proved safe for patients.

The temple also wanted to help distribute the substance, after hand-outs in Bangkok and Ban Bangpakong clinic drew large crowds and worsened patients' symptoms.

However, the abbot added he did not expect much hope for nearly 300 Aids patients at the temple because most were at the full-blown stage. Immunitor worked better with those whose disease was at the early stages.

"Those who came here were desperate until they heard about V-1 which they embrace as their new hope. They believe it can make them better," said the monk.

However, whether Immunitor really did work was still unknown. Medical and scientific proof were needed.

Phra Alongkot said he believed in the good intentions of the inventor and distributor.

As long as the substance was given for free and did not harm patients, it was "worth trying".

Patients who turned up yesterday said they heard about V-1 in the media and came in anticipation of improved health. They believed the pills would make them better one day although their health was now deteriorating.

One Aids patient, 33, who travelled from Phetchabun province, said she contracted HIV five years ago from her husband who had slept with a prostitute. Another patient, 37, travelled to the temple for the pills because he missed the chance in Bangkok last month. He contracted the disease nine years ago after sleeping with a bargirl. His wife and son were also infected.

He said he was uncertain whether V-1 would lead to recovery but it seemed to be the only hope of keeping him and his family together. "If I can choose, I want to be the last person to die because I want to spend the rest of my life taking care of my wife and son until they die," he said.

The man's wife, who accompanied him to the temple, said she wanted to know what exactly V-1 was. It has yet to be certified by the Food and Drugs Administration.

"I have no choice to dismiss it despite objections from many concerned groups," she said.

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