Alarming HIV infection rate among Thailand's youth: Act now!

Alarming HIV infection rate among Thailand's youth: Act now!

There are currently more than 580,000 people living with HIV in Thailand, which makes up around 1.1% of the total population. This alarming figure, which has a major impact on society, was recorded in 2024. The focus is not only on traditional risk groups, but also on youth and the LGBTQ+ community, whose infection rates are increasing. This development should ring alarm bells for all of us, because many young people have a better understanding of HIV but show little motivation for practical prevention. Line Today reports that many young people believe that unprotected sex is more pleasant and are not aware of the risks.

Sexual education in Thai schools is often limited to physical aspects and leaves out topics such as sexual rights and consent. This contributes to a dangerous misinterpretation of supposedly safe practices such as oral sex. A survey shows that over half of young people in Thailand have had unprotected sex. The rise of group sex and sex parties is perceived as part of a new “sexual fad” promoted by social media and platforms such as OnlyFans.

Prevention strategies under criticism

Prevention of HIV is a controversial topic at the moment. There is currently no vaccine against the virus, which is why various methods are used. These include using condoms, using dental dams for oral sex, and taking PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). This prophylactic measure is anchored in Thailand's medical guidelines, but access to PrEP is severely limited. The hope is that greater acceptance and usage can be achieved through improved accessibility. It is also very important that young people are not only informed but also motivated to take self-protection seriously.

Results from a study at two hospitals and four community-run clinics in Bangkok and Pattaya show that of 803 participants who were HIV-negative men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW), just over 43% started taking PrEP. This study aimed to observe the effect of PrEP on risk behavior. Follow-up documented an increase in condom use and a decrease in the number of sexual partners during follow-up. What is striking is that very few of the participants who remained on PrEP became infected with HIV, which further underlines the importance of this prevention approach ( PMC ).

Global perspective and local challenges

A look beyond national borders shows that HIV remains an international health problem. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 40.8 million people were living with HIV at the end of 2024. While 630,000 people died from HIV-related causes, 1.3 million people acquired the virus. The fight against HIV has clear global strategies aimed at ending the epidemic by 2030. These include, among other things, that by 2025 95% of people should be diagnosed with HIV and 95% should also receive life-saving therapy ( WHO ).

In Thailand, society is facing a challenge. A well-coordinated approach is needed to improve prevention strategies and better inform the population about the risks. It is particularly important that these initiatives not only focus on education, but also create incentives to increase awareness of self-protection and promote the use of PrEP. In view of the greater societal challenges, it remains crucial that each individual takes responsibility and stays informed about the latest developments in the field of HIV.