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 26, 2005
Anjira Assavanonda
The three-day event, spearheaded by the Thai NGO Coalition on Aids, was aimed at disseminating information about the current Aids situation in Thailand, raising public awareness, and reminding the government of its promises to ensure access to treatment for HIV-infected people and prevention of the disease.
The Network of People Living with HIV/Aids urged society to think more of the nearly 600,000 HIV-positive people who remain unable to access treatment.
Each group at the forum came up with a demand that it hopes will help it achieve its goal in the fight against Aids.
The network of drug users highlighted "harm reduction" as the best strategy to solve Aids problems, and called on the government to end its "war on drugs" and stop labelling drug users as criminals, arguing that they have the potential and power to help society.
The religious networks wanted holders of different faiths to work together to help reduce new infections and create a friendly society for HIV-positive people.
The group of affected elderly people said HIV/Aids has left them in poverty and hardship as they could not deny the burden of looking after their HIV-positive children and orphaned grandchildren, amidst stigma from communities. It demanded adequate welfare payments as well as financial support for its activities.
The network of children affected by HIV/Aids wanted equal rights, similar to those enjoyed by other children's groups. They said they also have the right to a bright future, and a chance to grow up as ordinary teenagers.
The Youth Network on Aids said it was determined to promote condom use under a "sex with responsibility" campaign.
The network of migrant workers demanded equal access to public health and other services involving HIV/Aids, including antiretroviral treatment and basic information in their native languages.
Workers' groups called on employers to ensure that HIV-positive people were not discriminated against at workplaces. The compulsory HIV-testing of workers should be scrapped and HIV-positive workers should not be dismissed as long as they can do their work, they said.
The network of sex workers demanded that society accept commercial sex services as a job, and that they be given equal rights to social welfare just like other occupational groups.
The network of homosexuals appealed for more space and understanding in normal society, asking the public not to judge them simply because of their sexual preferences. "Once society can accept homosexuality as somthing normal, and we can get access to appropriate health services, that will be the right start for tackling HIV/Aids," the group said.
The women's network wanted medical outlets that are friendly and sensitive to their feelings, access to reliable information on women's health, and the right to have a say and make decisions.
All the groups reached a consensus on the trial of HIV/Aids vaccines and medicines, as long as the process is conducted with respect for community participation to the rights of volunteers.
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