AIDS
After Thailand’s first case of HIV/AIDS was reported in 1984, the incidence of infection increased steadily in the country. In 1991, the government adopted a strategy to combat the disease, and in recent years, the number of new infections has declined. However, HIV prevalence had remained the same from 2003 to 2005 (1.4 percent) with more people receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Thailand’s early cases of HIV/AIDS occurred primarily among men who have sex with men (MSM). The virus then spread rapidly to injecting drug users (IDUs), followed by sex workers and their clients. Between 2003 and 2005, there were increases in HIV prevalence from 17 to 28 percent among MSM in Bangkok. In addition, prevalence among IDUs still ranges from 30 to 50 percent. In 2005, more than 40 percent of new infections were among women, the majority of whom were infected through intercourse with long-term partners. Violence and a low level of condom use due to women’s inability to negotiate safe sex are factors responsible for the spread of HIV among this group. Although the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Thailand has declined, the epidemic has moved to the general population, and there is a greater need to match prevention efforts with recent changes in the epidemic.[1]
Several factors put Thailand at risk of a resurgence of HIV/AIDS cases. Awareness of HIV status is low. For example, 80 percent of HIV-positive MSM had never been tested or thought they were HIV-negative, according to a 2006 study cited by UNAIDS. A large portion of IDUs – 35 percent according to one study – use nonsterile injecting equipment. Other research has noted an increased trend of erratic condom use by female sex workers. In some cases, women selling sex reported using a condom in just over one half of commercial sex encounters. Finally, premarital sex, once taboo, is increasingly common among young Thais, only 20 to 30 percent of whom use condoms consistently, according to the United Nations Development Program.[1]
Thailand has a high tuberculosis (TB) burden, with a 63 new cases per 100,000 people in 2005, according to the World Health Organization. Approximately 7.6 percent of TB patients are co-infected with HIV, and HIV-TB co-infections pose a challenge to providing treatment and care for both diseases.
Statistics
Reported HIV/AIDS cases are 1,115,415 adults as of 2008, with 585,830 deceased. Statistics in Thailand are generally believed to be very accurate. For more info about reported cases worldwide,
Prostitution
Estimates of the number of prostitutes vary widely and are subject to controversy. A 1974 study put the number of prostitutes at 500,000 to 700,000. A 2004 estimate by Dr. Nitet Tinnakul from Chulalongkorn University gives a total of 2.8 million sex workers, including 2 million women, 20,000 adult males and 800,000 minors under the age of 18.[5] One estimate published in 2003 placed the trade at US$ 4.3 billion per year or about three percent of the Thai economy.[6] It has been suggested for example that there may be as many as 10,000 prostitutes on Koh Samui alone, an island resort destination not usually associated with prostitution, and that at least 10% of tourist dollars may be spent on the sex trade.[7] According to a 2001 report by the World Health Organisation: "The most reliable suggestion is that there are between 150,000 and 200,000 sex workers."[8] A recent government survey found that there were 76,000 to 77,000 adult prostitutes in registered entertainment establishments; however, NGOs believed there were between 200,000 and 300,000 prostitutes.[3]
Although centers such as Bangkok (Patpong, Nana Plaza, and Soi Cowboy), Pattaya, and Phuket (Patong) are often identified as primary tourist "prostitution" areas, with Hat Yai and other Malaysian border cities catering to Malaysians, prostitution takes place in nearly every major city and province in the country.
Chiang Mai and Koh Samui (Chaweng and Lamai) are also major centers. In Bangkok, the so-called Ratchadaphisek entertainment district, running along Ratchadaphisek Road near the Huai Khwang intersection, features several large entertainment venues which include sexual massage. Even karaoke style bars in small provincial towns have their own versions, with women, in addition to singing traditional Thai music, sometimes engaging in prostitution.Forms of prostitution
Prostitution in Thailand is available in a number of forms, mainly brothels, massage parlors, saunas, [hostess bar]]s and karaoke places, all of which cater mainly to local customers and other Asians. For the wealthy, private member clubs abound. There are also various go-go bars and "beer bars" which usually cater to Western expatriates and tourists. Finally, there are large numbers of "freelancers", who can be found in hotel lobbies, discos, bars and even shopping malls or on the street. While some are sex trade workers by any definition, others are less clearly so and may merely ask for or expect financial support from the men they sleep with. Prostitution in Thailand comes specialised by ethnic background. Many places catering to Thais/Asians will not allow others to enter if not invited by a regular guests or without paying a prohibitive entrance fee. The same holds true for some places catering to Westerners, Japanese, Arabs or other ethnicities; most will refuse clientele with a different background at the door.Inside "Nana Plaza"
