Public officials, educators and health professionals in Pattaya marked World AIDS Day with a parade, free condoms and information to curtail the spread of the disease in Thailand.
Every year the World Health Organization designates Dec. 1 as World AIDS Day with this year’s theme again being “Stop AIDS; Keep the Promise.” Organizers promoted a message of “universal access and human rights” with the emphasis being placed on raising awareness to the risks of contracting the disease.
Spreading the message of controlling and eventually eliminating AIDS.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome led the march of more than 2,000 people, helping hand out condoms through South Pattaya amid a colorful procession of floats and fancy dresses.
The mayor later emceed an evening AIDS Day ceremony at Pattaya School No. 8, where he highlighted the WHO’s five year goal to achieve a 0 percent infection and death rate. The mayor noted that AIDS patients in Thailand receive care under the social insurance program and that many organizations are supporting them.
Students from local schools are being taught early, and show their knowledge with homemade signs, props and costumes.
