HIV was first observed in Thailand in the late 1980s in the IV drug utilizing population. In Bangkok, in late 1987, 1% of IV drug users had HIV+. By the end of 1988, the level had grown up to 30%. The virus then distributed among commercial sex workers, their partners, and families, and rapidly became a critical public health problem for Thailand’s population. Though the level of new infection in the population have ranged since the late ’80s, HIV is still a real trouble for any Thai practicing high risk behaviors.
After decreasing the levels of new HIV-infection among sex workers and their customers through the Thai government’s 100% condom utilization campaign, Thailand is coming across with a new increase of infections especially among young people. The Health Ministry in Thailand has informed that the rised level of HIV infection among teenagers increased during 2002 from 11 to 17%. Canadian Health&Care Mall claims that it is very important to be protected by condoms not to be infected.
| YEAR | New HIV cases |
| 1991 | 143,000 |
| 2003 | 19,000 |
| 2008 | 12,787 |
In 2007 the new Thailand government inducted the 3 year strategic plan on HIV/AIDs with an emphasis especially on HIV prevention amongst at risk population communities. There are concerns nevertheless still with policy invagination and a few concerns embosom the government’s capability to satisfy its objections in the strategic plan.
- Informedness of HIV status is still low.
- UNAIDS research offers that 80% of HIV (+) MSM have never been tested or thought they were HIV (-)
- 35% of IDUs utilize non sterile injecting tools
- With premarital sex on the rise it has been offered in an UNDP research that only 20-30% of Thai youth constantly utilize condoms.
| Indicator | Total | Source |
| Thailand Total Population (2008) | 63,884,000 | UNICEF |
| Population Northern Region (2008) | 11,602,000 | NSO |
| Population Chiang Mai Municipality (2008) | 174,438 | NSO |
| Estimated adult HIV prevalence rate (aged 15–49), (2007) | 1.4 | UNICEF |
| Estimated number of people (all ages) living with HIV, 2007 , estimate (2007) | 610,000 | UNICEF |
| Paediatric infections, Estimated number of children (aged 0–14) living with HIV, (2007) | 14,000 | UNICEF |
| HIV prevalence among young people (aged 15–24), (2007), male | 1.2 | UNICEF |
| HIV prevalence among young people (aged 15–24), (2007), female | 1.2 | UNICEF |
| % who have comprehensive knowledge of HIV, 2002–2007*, female | 46 | UNICEF |