Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bangkok Post - October 8, 2005
Aids infection rates, abortions and unwanted pregnancies are reportedly on the rise among teenagers, said Ms Sarinya.
"Teenagers feel uncomfortable buying condoms at convenience or drug stores. They also feel too embarrassed to ask for free condoms, afraid they'd be branded as being obsessed with sex," she said.
Ms Sarinya has defended the scheme, which she says might also be seen as encouraging teenagers to have sex.
"It is in fact to raise awareness about safe and responsible sex among teenagers. The core of this campaign is friendly service. This project is to give them access to safe sex. And the youth networks will also provide additional information to educate them about the dangers of HIV/Aids, and about good health," she said.
A roadshow is being planned with the cooperation of MTV Thailand in 12 towns across the country to promote the scheme.
Oop! condoms, however, will not be available over the counter. They will be sold to youths via around 200 youth groups and will cost 10 baht per pair.
The network is seeking a permit from the Food and Drug Administration and expects to begin marketing the products in December.
The scheme is being funded by several agencies including Unicef, Thai NGOs Coalition on Aids, Global Fund, and Path.
The Public Health Ministry, meanwhile, has opened a clinic to treat teenagers with sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs). This follows the findings of a study that 50% of teenagers contracting sexually-transmitted diseases now opt for self-medication and treat themselves with over-the-counter drugs.
The first so-called Modern STD Clinic is at Bang Rak Hospital. From fiscal 2006, the ministry also plans to double the anti-Aids budget to 3.3 billion baht.
In another development, the Education Ministry has incorporated HIV/Aids and STDs in sex education at both private and public schools. The new sex education curriculum starts in the second semester of this academic year. This follows findings that the gonorrhoea infection rate had risen to 11% among students last year, from 3% in 2000.
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