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
Anjira Assavanonda
The issue was highlighted at the meeting of sex workers, NGOs, health specialists and government officials to discuss the complex issue of commercial sex and HIV/Aids.
Chantawipha Aphisuk, of Empower foundation, said sex workers were the first group to be targeted under the state's Aids prevention policy because the spread of the virus began with them in the country.
Most sex workers were required to have blood tests every three months and the rate of HIV infection was found to be gradually increasing, she said.
Ms Chantawipha said blood testing of sex workers had brought this group social stigma and prejudice. The public had been misled into seeing blood testing as a form of HIV/Aids cure.
"The public has been implanted with a belief that sex workers are a source of HIV transmission. Such belief, however, goes entirely against medical and scientific principles," said Ms Chantawipha.
Natharat Buakham, representing sex workers at the forum, insisted that rather than being a source of Aids, sex workers like her play a vital role in preventing the spread of the virus by educating their clients about safer sex, including demanding they use condoms. Sex workers, like people from other professions, had job ethics and standards. Most of them knew they had a responsibility not to pass on infection to others.
"HIV/Aids, for us, is just a tiny matter if we know how to prevent it. "It's a matter of responsibility towards ourselves and society.
"I can assure you that sex workers can also provide quality services. We are sexual experts who can persuade men to use condoms," she said.
The finger should also be pointed at clients, who frequently demand sex without condoms, especially with virgin girls. Some even offer to pay more to fulfil their desire.
Phinyanee Chaemkrachang, of Chachoengsao provincial health office, said a survey showed the HIV infection rate among sex workers there had declined from 21% in 1999 to 15% in 2000.
It also revealed the rate of condom use among sex workers was a high 95%, but only 40% among military recruits and 56% among factory workers.
Gunnar Walzholz, of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Bangkok, said though sex workers were seen as a source of Aids, not enough attention was paid to factors that lie behind the vulnerability of these people.
For example, the lack of rights and poor working conditions.
The sex industry was demand-driven and could not be made to disappear simply by outlawing it. One of the best solutions was to look at the demand side, the clients, and explore ways to change their behaviour.
He said the application of core labour standards in the commercial sex sector would improve working conditions and empower sex workers to effectively protect themselves and their clients from disease.
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