Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bangkok Post - July 12, 2004
Anucha Charoenpo - Lop Buri
"I would like to see those stars follow up on what they have told the media," said Phra Khru Udom Prachathorn, the abbot.
The temple in Lop Buri's Muang district yesterday welcomed three well-known visitors.
Miss Universe 2004, Australia's Jennifer Hawkins, was a guest in the morning, followed by Ashley Judd, a Hollywood actress whose films include Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, and Double Jeopardy, and Coco Lee, a Hong Kong-born pop singer dubbed the Mariah Carey of Asia.
Ms Hawkins lit a candlelight ceremony yesterday to launch the 15th International Aids Conference, which runs until Friday.
The actress and the singer are ambassadors of YouthAids, run by Population Services International, a non-profit organisation raising awareness about HIV/Aids.
The abbot made no demands of the guests and the temple did not prepare anything special for them. "The stars are human beings; so are Aids patients," he said.
But Phra Khru Udom believed that their presence would raise global awareness of victims of HIV/Aids and the situation in Thailand, where he said patients should be integrated into society to live with healthy people.
"That's not difficult but we must achieve that goal as soon as possible," he said.
The temple has cared for Aids patients for more than 10 years. The temple and its branch in Nong Mong district in the province look after about 500 patients.
Ms Judd and Ms Lee were welcomed with a traditional dance at the temple, and visited patients in the compound. They hugged and kissed them.
"I feel sad," said the actress. "This place is so full of compassion, love, mercy, fineness, humour, gentleness and everything that's good," she said.
Thai businesses could contribute more to the temple, she said. She would talk about the temple's financial problems when she returned home.
Ms Lee said she would tell teenagers about dangers of HIV/Aids. "We may not save the lives of people here today but we can keep them happy," she said.
Namphon Khumkaew and Dejchai Khaek-orn, who live at the temple, said they were pleased to see the pair.
Ms Namphon, a 29-year-old native of Prachuap Khiri Khan infected with HIV nine years ago, said meeting the pair boosted her morale.
She hoped the visit would also send a message to the public that Aids patients need understanding and recognition from society. Mr Dejchai, 26, from Khamphaeng Phet, who was infected seven years ago and now raises awareness about Aids, thanked the pair for visiting and boosting his morale.
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