HIV in Thailand - my superficial experience during my 2 visits

THAILAND, a country that is still too infantile for me to comment on the deeper part of this country as I have visited only twice to this country - Bangkok and Phuket .

Thailand , the Kingdom that draws more visitors than any other country in southeast Asia with its irresistible combination of breathtaking natural beauty, inspiring temples, renowned hospitality, robust cuisine and ruins of fabulous ancient kingdoms.
From the stupa-studded mountains of Mae Hong Son and the islands of the Andaman Sea, to the dance clubs of Bangkok and the tranquil villages situate along the Mekong River, Thailand offers something for every type of traveller with different interests.



View at the darker side of this country , it has been " notorious " for its commercial sexual industry .Because of this , HIV and AIDs has progressed at a frigthening rate .

1st worrisome figure : the rate of increment




2nd : The disease has gone home to the faithful wives and
lastly to the innocent children

We have been seeing a lot of new orphans in Thailand
following the death of their parents .
We have been seeing a lot of gray hair grandmothers with her grandchildren
have to escort their dark hair children to the funeral and grave yard .



We have been seeing many grandmothers have to reverse their role and
bear full responsibility in taking care of their grandchildren single handedly , instead of enjoying their third stage of their life with grand children happily running around them .Together with this , the number of HIV children also on the rising trend ~ 20,000 hiv children till date .








Together with this , the number of HIV children also on the rising trend ~ 20,000 hiv children till date .

In short , HIV has invaded the country and entering into 3rd phase from men to women and pregnant women , now the innocent children

In Thailand 1990 , was having its second peak with single year of more than 400,000 new cases of sexually transmitted disease including HIV , this trend had made their government very anxious and following this , they have implemented 100% condom usage program as one of the measure to curb HIV.

WAT ARUN

Located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River , it can be reached by boat from Tha Chang Pier near Wat Phra Kaeo or Tha Tian Pier near Wat Pho.
Constructed in the 17th century, it is attractive in its striking prangs (a kind of pagoda) which are decorated with millions of pieces of Chinese porcelain.



The outstanding feature of Wat Arun is its central prang (a prang is a Khmer-style pagoda), which symbolizes the legendary Mount Meru, center of the universe.
Steep steps lead to two terraces on the tower.
The corners are surrounded by four smaller satellite prangs, which are dedicated to the wind god Phra Phai.



The prangs are decorated by seashells and bits of porcelain which had previously been used as ballast by boats coming to Bangkok from China.


Around the base of the prang are various figures of ancient Chinese soldiers and animals. Over the second terrace are four statues of the Hindu god Indra riding on Erawan.




The temple is a beauty, its architecture and fine craftsmanship is of excellence. To date, it is one of the finest and most outstanding temples in Thailand. Wat Arun is decorated by seashells and Chinese porcelain bits whose origins were from the boat's ballast; these boats sailed from China to Bangkok during the rule of King Rama III. The exterior is decorated with tiny pieces of coloured glass, making it extremely spectacular at sunset and at night when the temple is lit.



Central prang, at a height of 82 metres (20-storey building) is the tallest prang of Thailand.



Central prang, Visitors can climb up to a high level to have a good view of the Chao Phraya River and the nearby surroundings.



Dear Malaysians , please learn from our neighbouring country - Thailand

My 2 months in Africa

Back to 2006 , I have decided to visit Africa , a continent that has allowed HIV progresses from none to fullness . In Africa , especially subsaharan countries . HIV has progressed without resistant estimated back to about 1910 - 1940 . Humans contracted HIV from interactions with chimpanzees, starting with infections from hunting and butchering chimps.

Trip to Vietnam and HIV lesson by the " less developed but wiser " nation

From Kuala Lumpur to Hanoi - thanks Airasia



1st part of my backpacking trip Vietnam - China

1st : Hanoi >> China - Vietnam pass >> China - Detian waterfall



Vietnam and its living standard and educational level
Take a look at Hanoi
Please don't ask me about their GDP ( vietnam ), share market value etc
But I can show you their vehicles and dresses .
From here ,you can estimate their living standard .

1. Cycling to school , was me about my 20 years ago in Malaysia





A superficially less educated and less developed country - Vietnam
But they may be much more wiser than us .
Let take a look at their attitude about HIV - a disease that can burn a whole nation if you miss the early boat to wrap the inflamed wood logs


First , please travel around the capital city of Malaysia , Kuala Lumpur with its almigthy twin tower .
If you can find an advertisement board about danger of HIV in Malaysia that has increased 10 folds since 13 years ago .
I am willing to chop my head for you to sit on it , but only for 3 seconds ,
but please don't flatus on me .




Then ,please direct your focus point to the north and fix at Vietnam


During my bus trip from Hanoi to Langson - friendly pass between China Vietnam
I had seen at least a HIV promotion board by the roadside every 20 minutes , even though there are simple and cheap .


First 20 minutes



40 minutes later on the road



60 minutes later on my trip to border



1 hour 20 minutes later toward the friendship pass



100 minutes after left Hanoi





............. 4 hours later , at the friendship pass



Then I have arrived at the friendly pass between Vietnam and China
Langson - Ping Xiang

From there , it took me an overnight trip to get to Detian Waterfall , the largest transnational waterfall in Asia .
















Thanks , dear Vietnamese for your kind thoughts and taugths .

10 of 10 things you ought to know about HIV

Issue of condom Issue of IVDU Issue of pregnancy related transmission

8th of ten things you ought to know about HIV

Malaysia , a country that rushing toward developed country status in next 13 years - The Almighty Vision 2020 Our local potential - Malaysia We have all the ingredients to nurture a 1% HIV Malaysian community Back to basic principles in production of infectious disease We need Source + HIV type 1 / 2 + route of transmission + susceptible patient + incubation period HIV source we have 78784 HIV patients confirmed in Malaysia mid of 2007 . But we believe that there are another 75,000 hiding somewhere in Malaysia as HIV patients can't be recognised by naked eyes , under reported due to non- universal HIV blood testing . In short , estimated > 100,000 HIV patients live in Malaysia among us . These 100,000 HIV patients are strong workers who works faithfully and quitely for HIV factory . year 2000 5107 new cases year 2001 5938 new cases year 2002 6978 new cases year 2003 6756 new cases year 2004 6427 new cases HIV is gathering his armies till the critical mass achieved , then an epidemic . Route of transmission a. Intravenous drug users - In malaysia , we have ~100,000 drug addicts using injectable drugs Of them , ~ 80% are sexual active , ~ 80% never use condom , ~ 80% share needles > 5 drug addicts . ~ 80% use injectable drugs 3 times perday ( breakfast , lunch , dinner ) . b. Sex We have about 40 ,000 commercial sexual workers estimated . We have many massage shops who hang the goat's head but selling dog's meat . We have 5 star hotels offering 5 stars sexual service . We have more youngsters involve in sexual debut at younger age VIAGRA = Tongkat Ali bin Clinton Viagra performance More than 10 millions men 30 millions prescriptions 300 millions tablets since launching 1998 Estimated total income 2001 alone USD 1500,000,000 RM 5500,000,000 = 100 millions SI We have more broke back mountaineers . In short ; up approach <> c. Pregnancy If HIV is not checked before planning for pregnant ordetected at late pregnancy , transmission for mother to babies can be as high as 30% . Virus 1. This virus has one imporatnt property Diam diam ubi berisi or silent dogs kill someone by single bite HIV has killed 25 millions people in last 25 years = Malaysia population = 100 Tsunamis HIV has infected 65 millions people = 3 times malaysian population More alarming is , it has created 100 Tsunamis but created minimal Huha in our society . 4. Susceptible Recipients We always believe that HIV only happens on other people's husband / wife / children But from statistic , > 80% of HIV Malaysian are between 20 - 49 years of age = very productive economically and fertile . Vaccine is not available now and no news n next 10 years . 5. Incubation period Finally with 4 tasty ingredients , we put them in a HIV microwave that takes 5 - 10 years to generate a HIV patients , 50 years a HIV community . 6. With 4 ingredients + adequate time to incubate , we are going to have a HIV community of at least 300,000 Malaysian HIV positive in next 13 years . Dear Malaysian , please don't blindly rushing toward vision 2020 . Otherwise , our next generation is going to suffer from our ignorance , stigmatization and denial . Syabas , Malaysia Boleh again

7th of 10 things you ought to know about HIV

Principles in curbing HIV

HIV and treatment , if together with love and caring

6th of 10 things you ought to know about HIV

Prognosis a. If without treatment , we takes 10 years as average life span from time of infection . b. With HAART therapy , many survive beyonds 20 years .But beside HAART , we need a loving and supportive environemnt to ensure 95% adherence and complicance to treatment .

5th of 10 things you ought to know about HIV

Route of transmission HIV is transmitted by 1. sex - up approach ( peno- oral approach ) < - front approach ( peno -vaginal approach ) < - Back approach ( peno anal approach ) - highest of all three approach in term of risk 2. Intravenous drug users y sharing needle among HIV positive partners and among Malaysian Intravenous drug users , estimated 20% are HIV positive 3. Pregnancy The risk is about 25 - 30% from HIV prgnant mother to their beloved baby . The risk surges as high as 40% among African mother with HIV if no intervention is given. 4. Blood transfusion High risk fluids are 1. blood or any fluid contaminated by blood 2. semen 3. Cervical / vaginal secretion 4. Breast milk If HIV infected blood is transfused ( due to donors who lack of community's responsibility ) to the recipient . HIV is not transmitted 1. insect bites 2. sharing same toilet / swimming pool 3. sharing same foods 4. official blood donation 5. kissing 6. casual contact in school and working place

Trip to Bhutan , learn from the wise Bhutanese

Bhutan in action , with its people , culture , art and sceneries


1. Simple people without handphone and travel on bus - 11 ( feet )






2. Clean environment requires no cosmetic decoration other than flower with its
natural companion , the bee

3. Their national animal , with goat head and cow's trunk - er ... its name is .....

4. Simple people with simple heart and simple religion

5. Bright and colorful attire ,shoes and flags lighten up their daily life

Trip to Bhutan , 2007 - a live HIV education by Bhutanese Bhutan, which means “land of the thunder dragon” is locked in by Asian giants India and China. Government data show it has a population of 734,340. Bhutan has one of the world’s smallest and least developed economies. Agriculture and forestry provide the main livelihood for more than 90 percent of the population , but has a lot of potential in sectors such as hydropower and tourism. Despite of this , tourism, a potential source of large revenue, continue to be severely restricted by expensive ( USD 200 / day ) and inflexible package tours ( all tourists need to pre plan their trip with local tour before arrival ) . This is to ensure tourists that visit this country are of environmental friendly and cultural conscious . Unlike many countries that willing to earn their Gross National Product ( GNP ) in the expense of their culture and environment . Bhutan , a country that many steps behind Malaysia if it is measured by GNP , numbers of handphones and internet access etc bla ... bla ... bla . 1. Television was introduced in the early 1990s, but programs are available mainly in the capital Thimphu. 2. Internet access followed in 2001 3. Cellular phone service in November 2003. What is Bhutanese's wisdom ? 1. Last December, Bhutan became the first country in the world to impose a complete ban on the sale of all tobacco products. 2. Domestic Product and says development should be understood as a process that seeks to maximize happiness rather than economic growth. 3. Environmental care is implemented by their people in simplest and cheap ways .

FINALLY , MY LIVE HIV EDUCATION PROGRAM AND BHUTANESE'S WISDOM

A. HIV IN BHUTAN IS LESS THAN 100 DOCUMENTED .

B. THERE ARE MARIJUANA EVERYWHERE IN THE TOWN ALONG THE ROADSIDE BUT DON'T HAVE DRUG ADDICTS LYING ON ROADSIDE

AGAIN THEY ARE WISE ENOUGH TO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE 5 " TINY " THINGS CAN'T BE TAKEN LIGHTLY

1. Fire

2. Prince

3. Young priest / Monk

4. Desire

5. HIV virus

Because these things can lead the whole world to glory or disaster if allowed to grow .

HIV in Bhutan is like little fire at the tip of a match .But they understand that if the match get thrown to a jungle , it can burn the whole jungle .

Now , there are less than 100 HIV patients in Bhutan . But they have done much much more than us , Malaysian with at least 75,000 HIV live in Malaysia now .

WE HAVE ABC , THEY HAVE ABCDE

A. ABSTINENCE THROUGH RELIGION

Being a Mahayana - Buddhism Country

B. BE FAITHFUL TO THE FAITHFUL

C. CONDOM - free ( hotel / pharmacy store )

D. DON'T ABUSE DRUGS , DON'T SHARE NEEDLE IF ALREADY ADDICTED

MARIJUANA IS UBIQUITOUS ON THE STREET AS DECORATION

E . EARLY BLOOD TESTING FOR LOVE

There know what is " sediakan payung sebelum hujan "

Bhutan has < 100 HIV positive to date , they tell their citizen - No time to joke with AIDS .
DEAR Malaysian , we have at least 75000 HIV positive in Malaysia .

many People still think that I am joking or busy body trying to promote HIV awareness to everyone .

I don't care - who you are ; Where you from ; What you did

Please check your HIV status for love and not just keep making love .