Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2001. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bangkok Post - July 12, 2001
Aphaluck Bhatiasevi
Malls and department stores are popular hangouts for youngsters, and will be a prime target of the safe sex campaign, Public Health Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan said yesterday.
A study had quoted boys as young as 14 saying they were infected because they could not get hold of condoms.
The conventional approach to informing youth about safe sex had to be revised.
"We have to admit the fact that our children are at risk of Aids and we can no longer depend only on the technical form of sex education provided in schools," Ms Sudarat said.
Instead of leaving children to educate themselves about sex, parents and teachers should give more importance to the subject.
Although the rate of new infections had fallen, Thailand faced another problem-more younger people were catching HIV.
The campaign for 100% condom use by sex workers had gained Thailand worldwide recognition. But the idea of condom use among other groups had not caught on because of social stigma and cultural values.
Mrs Sudarat said it was important to change the attitude of the risk groups, particularly youngsters of 15 years up, on the use of condoms with casual sex partners.
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who opened the 8th National Aids Conference yesterday, said the government's emphasis was on the next generation, not the next election.
The government would encourage local production of condoms and promote their use among the public. Condoms would also be subsidised, to make them more affordable.
The target was to reduce new HIV infections to 17,000 people a year by 2006. The current rate is 30,000 a year.
Public health permanent secretary Mongkhol na Songkhla said it would be wrong to disparage the safe sex campaign as an encouragement for young people to engage in sex. It would have strong, lasting benefits.
Communicable Diseases Control Department head Somsong Rakphao said the campaign would aim at altering the behaviour and sexual attitudes of people aged 15-24.
"In 10 years' time...their attitudes should be changed," he said.
Funding of 200 million baht had been sought for the campaign.
Another 125 million baht would be spent on prevention of HIV/Aids among the public.
Mr Sompong said 100 million baht would be invested in 100% condom use campaigns.
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