Thai Government Drops Plan for Condom Machines at Universities

Thailand's director of the Bureau for AIDS, TB and STDs said Monday that widespread and outspoken opposition has caused the government to scuttle its recently announced plan to put condom vending machines in universities. "We may propose this again when society feels ready," said Dr. Sombat Thanprasertsuk. Health officials did not wish to alienate school authorities over the proposal, "because we want to work with them," Sombat said.

Opponents of the vending machines said they would encourage student promiscuity. Supporters said they would help fight HIV/AIDS by encouraging safe sex among youths who would not have otherwise used condoms.

Sombat said that "condoms should be accessible by all because we know that society has changed." "There are more youth engaging in casual sex without protection. Condom promotion will be among the top priorities that we must pursue. ... We know that prevention is still better than a cure."

The government is working to place condom vending machines in department store and bus station bathrooms, Sombat said. Two state-subsidized condoms will cost five baht (13 US cents), compared to about 40 baht (US $1.02) for over-the-counter condoms.

Thailand had 142,819 new HIV infections in 1991, the peak of its epidemic. But with the help of social and religious programs, a 100 percent condom-use campaign among sex workers and free distribution at sex venues, the number of new infections fell to 23,676 last year.

Back to other news for December 5, 2003