Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bangkok Post - November 23, 2005
Anjira Assavanonda
Senator Jon Ungphakorn, chairman of the organising committee, said this year's Aids forum is the first in which civic groups have been the key actors.
"This is unlike previous events co-hosted by the government which had more academic content and less of the human angle," Mr Jon said.
"The People's Aids Forum will reflect clearly what problems each group is facing and how they can be tackled."
A key message the organisers hope to deliver is that Thailand is still far from being an HIV/Aids success story and that new problems continue to emerge despite an overall decline in HIV infection.
Visitors are encouraged to attend debates on various topics, including one on the measures elderly northern people are taking to tackle Aids problems.
Sawang Kaewkanta, director of Foundation for Older Persons' Development, said elderly people are seriously affected by HIV/Aids because they are often the only ones looking after patients.
A foundation survey showed 77% of HIV-infected people are being looked after by the elderly, he said.
"The survey also found that of 206 HIV-positive people in Chiang Mai, a half-dozen are elderly.
"The oldest is 74 years old. It's not known how they were infected, but it's likely they caught it while caring for their children," said Mr Sawang.
A youth group will host a debate about the necessity of using condoms, or if young people should focus on abstinence rather than safe sex.
Controversial discussion topics will include the ethics of research papers on HIV/Aids and how sufferers would be affected by a Thai-US free trade agreement.
A group of intravenous drug users will share their experiences before and after being infected by HIV.
A network of groups representing diverse sexual orientations is inviting all genders to a discussion on gays and Aids. The topic will focus on the inclusion of same-sex relationships in sex education curriculum.
People with doubts about coverage under the government's 30-baht healthcare scheme can obtain information from a booth operated by a women's group.
A network of human rights groups will also provide information about laws to protect the rights of HIV carriers.
Legal experts from the Centre to Protect the Rights of People Living with HIV/Aids, the Law Society, the Attorney General's Office, and the National Human Rights Commission will provide legal advice for visitors throughout the forum.
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