Thailand is known for its success in fighting HIV/AIDS, one of a very few countries in the world that has managed to reverse the spread of the epidemic. However, the challenge now is to ensure that this success does not lead to complacency and inaction. The prevalence of the disease is still relatively high, affecting many lives, and Thailand is still vulnerable to a resurgence of a generalized epidemic. If Thailand falters in its effort to control the disease, the impact would be far-reaching, dealing a major blow to the global response to HIV/AIDS, to UNAIDS, and to the many countries of the world struggling to follow Thailand’s example, bringing into question the effectiveness of the prevention-based paradigm.
Achievements
Thailand has achieved a stunning 83 per cent reduction in new infections, dropping from the 1991 peak of 142,819 new infections per year to an estimated 21,260 in 2003.
An early multi-sector response involving several key ministries, municipalities, NGOs, media, communities, private sector, and the police, focused largely on risk reduction in commercial sex, has enabled Thailand to achieve this turn-around in HIV infections.
Strong political commitmentin the early 1990s and the formation of the National AIDS Prevention and Control Committee under the Office of the Prime Minister and PM’s own chairing of NAPCC (National AIDS prevention and Control Committee) ensuring participation of all ministry supported by a comprehensive multi-ministerial plan by the NESDB (National Economic and Social Development Board)
Financing for HIV/AIDS reaching 89.85 million US dollar in 1996 (per capita investment of 1.32 USD) of which 91.2% came from Royal Thai Government (RTG).
Overall, three factors contributed to reducing sexual transmission of the HIV virus: reducing brothel visits, condom compliance, and improved STI control through the introduction of powerful antibiotics, thereby reducing risk of HIV infection.
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS in Thailand.
12th Floor, United Nations Building, Rajdamnern Nok Avenue
Bangkok 10200, Thailand.
Tel.(662)228-1203, Fax(662)208-1414
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