Public officials, educators and health professionals in Pattaya marked World AIDS Day with a parade and free condoms.
Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome led a parade from Central and Beach roads to Walking Street. Officials from the Prevention and Control of Diseases Department, Pattaya Public Health Department, Chonburi Public Health Department and many other AIDS originations, activists, health officials and students from Pattaya and Banglamung schools participated, carrying informational signs and handing out free condoms, lubricants and flyers. Over 10,000 condoms were handed out along the route.
Every year the World Health Organization designates Dec. 1 as World AIDS Day for people to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. This year’s theme was “AIDS is treatable if detected early.” Organizers promoted a message of reducing the number of new HIV infections, AIDS deaths and stigmas associated with carrying the disease.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome (center, back) leads officials and guests to celebrate World AIDS Day 2014.
Official figures show that over half a million people in Thailand are currently HIV positive but the true figure is thought to be much higher as many who have contracted the virus are either unwilling or lacking funds to receive medical assistance or are unaware they have contracted the virus. According to the Bureau of AIDS, approximately 62% of people infected with HIV/AIDS in Thailand are males.
Baan Souy hosted a World AIDS Day event to raise funds for Heartt2000.
Thailand ranks 39th in the world in HIV/AIDS, behind such countries as Haiti, Ghana and most African countries.
Private sectors involved in the tourism industry in Pattaya also held charity functions to support local HIV groups and organizations, including the annual Pattaya Pride street party in Boys Town and an entertaining function at Baan Souy to raise funds for Heartt2000.
Kwangtung, aka Ms. Healthy Queen 2014, from the Sister Foundation, leads a group in the World AIDS Days parade.
