Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome
(left) and UN Population Fund representative Dr. Taweepsap Siraprapassiri
(right) hold up female condoms during Pattaya’s participation in the 1st
ever Global Female Condom Day.
Phasakorn Channgam
Virtually unknown in Thailand, female condoms were handed out free as
doctors discussed their use in preventing the spread of sexually transmitted
diseases when Pattaya marked the first Global Female Condom Day.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome welcomed United Nations Population Fund
representative Dr. Taweepsap Siraprapassiri to Walking Street Sept. 12,
along with public-health workers, tourists and residents.
Not your everyday group
photo, as event organizers pose with transvestites dressed in costumes made
from female condoms.
Organized by the Global Female Condom Coalition, the day
of activities was aimed at increasing the number of straight and gay people
who know about, use, and advocate for female condoms. HIV/AIDS, reproductive
health and justice, women’s health, youth, and gay men’s health
organizations and advocates around the world joined the worldwide.
Taweepsap said Pattaya was chosen as the first site to participate due to
its large number of related organizations that can advocate the benefits of
the devices.
Step right up, get your free
female condom!
The doctor noted female-condom technology has been
available for more than 20 years, but 99 percent of the world is still using
the male version, even though they can also be used by homosexuals.
“Currently, female condoms are not distributed in Thailand since it they are
not very well-known,” Taweepsap said. “However, anyone interested in female
condoms can request them for free.” In Pattaya, they are available at the
Horr Center in Rungland Village; the Pattaya Public Health Office on Soi
Buakaow; and the Pattaya Rak Center in Naklua’s Lam Po area.
Students learn about
reproductive systems on Walking Street.
Campaigners give out free
female condoms in Pattaya’s entertainment districts.
Night time entertainers are
given information on safe sex.
The campaign wasn’t only in
entertainment areas, as campaigners spread the word throughout Pattaya.
