Thailand AIDS problems at critical level; two Thais infected hourly

AIDS infections in Thailand are reaching a critical level as some 500,000 Thais have been infected with the deadly virus, while an average of two people contracting HIV every hour, according to AIDS-prevention advocate Meechai Viravaidya.

Mr. Meechai said at the re-launching of “Learn to love and learn to be safe” predicted that the rising number of AIDS infections in the kingdom was the result of changing sex partners and failure to use condoms when having sex.

According to a survey in 2006, in the 15-29 year-old age group, nine per cent of office workers sampled use condoms every time they have sex with their boy- or girlfriends, while 40 per cent use condom when having sex with partners they have just met.

The result of survey among students showed that 13 per cent use condoms with their boy- or girlfriend partners while 52 per cent use condoms when having sex with partners they have just met.

The survey demonstrated that the group was aware of the serious problem of AIDS, as unsafe sex could lead to the infection with the deadly virus, said Mr. Meechai.

The AIDS activist explained that “Learn to love and learn to be safe” is a project focusing on risk group, trying to adjust the attitude of the group to protect themselves against AIDS and manage their sexual risk safely.

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