A shortage of free condoms is increasing the risk of AIDS spreading in Pattaya, a group of city and non-governmental organization bureaucrats has concluded.
At a May 22 meeting between the Pattaya Communicable Disease Control and Prevention Department and Bureau on AIDS, Tuberculosis and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, city director Na-anya Janthramas said workers lacked larger size condoms to hand out and those getting the free prophylactics preferred ones in fruity flavors.
NGO Director Viphada Maharattanawiroj (left) and Thumniep Sangwaanprakaisaeng, specialist nurse with the Bureau of AIDS, TB and STDs provide their ideas at the meeting.
Officials then toured Pattaya’s beer bars and nightlife zones, concluding there were many visitors there and that handing out free condoms in this area was a “must” if the city wanted to prevent the spread of STDs.
NGO Director Viphada Maharattanawiroj said the city should be made responsible for coming up with the condoms to distribute and suggested if Pattaya can’t procure enough condoms, it should ask the Chonburi government.
In the meantime, those wanting free condoms can pick them up at the CDC office on Soi 6.
