Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bangkok Post - January 1, 2002
Aphaluck Bhatiasevi
Several vending machines placed in the provinces have been removed by local police on grounds that they were inappropriate, according to the National Aids Prevention and Control Commission.
Deputy Prime Minister Chaturon Chaisaeng, who is commission chairman, pointed to the lack of understanding among many state authorities as the main problem leading to lack of cooperation. "They think these machines promote the use of condoms," he said.
Though the commission agreed months ago that such vending machines should be placed in public places, little progress had been made due to lack of understanding.
He urged people "to change their attitude and perception in dealing with problems concerning Aids".
The increased incident of casual sex among unmarried couples had prompted the commission to make access to condoms easier in public places.
Thailand had 281,000 Aids patients in 2001, according to the Public Health Ministry.
The commission believed condom use was low among casual sex partners because of lack of access, and most people were reluctant to go out of their way to purchase condoms. Easy access would hopefully increase its use.
Under the commission's plan, condom vending machines should be placed in public areas like entertainment places, apartments, educational institutions, factories, hotels and department stores in Bangkok and other parts of the country.
Mr Chaturon said authorities concerned needed to immediately consider the exact places where the vending machines should be put up.
Informed sources said though the Public Health Ministry fully supported the move, it faced opposition from the Interior and the Education ministries.
The Interior Ministry felt that placing such vending machines would go against the government's social order crusade aimed at disciplining entertainment places.
The Education Ministry was against placing the machines because it feared this would promote sexual activity among the youth.
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