Mr Condom himself, Mechai
Viravaidya marches in the parade with students from his new Mechai Pattana
School & Kelly Lifelong Learning Center at the Birds & Bees Resort in
Pattaya. <http://mechaifoundation.org/school_birdsbees.asp>
Warunya Thongrod
Public officials, educators and health professionals in Pattaya
marked World AIDS Day with a parade and a push to cut the number of AIDS
cases, deaths and discrimination to zero.
Every year the World Health Organization designates Dec. 1 as World AIDS Day
with this year’s theme again being “Getting to Zero.” Organizers promoted a
message of reducing the number of new HIV infections, AIDS deaths and
stigmas associated with carrying the disease.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome led a march of hundreds of people from 20
organizations from Royal Garden Plaza to Pattaya School No. 8, complete with
a colorful procession of floats and fancy dresses.
The mayor and Public Health Department Director Supaporn Cherdchaipoom also
emceed the World AIDS Day ceremony at the school.
The event also featured stage performances, music and a “Thai Youths Far
from AIDS” contest and exhibition.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome and
BB recording artist Note Mahasajan hand out condoms during the parade.
Women from Banglamung Red
Cross take part in the AIDS campaign parade.
Painted women-of-the-second
category pass out condoms.
Here, take one; they’re free
and may save you from contracting HIV.
The school marching band keeps the rhythm for
the marchers in the parade.
Condom mascots dance their way
down Beach Road.
Students from Pattaya School
No. 7 parade their anti-AIDS message on World AIDS Day.
