Pantherz

Years ago, I'd always end my encounters with a reminder to my Thai partners to wear a condom and I provided them if needed. Three years ago, a friend of my boyfriend, someone whom I've known for over a decade, forty years-old,  a university graduate from a middle-class family and not on the scene, was found to be positive. He was quickly medicated.
However, two years ago he was taken seriously ill with a series of ailments, one of which was life-threatening. He was in hospital for months. The doctor told him the symptoms were Hiv related. He's better now, but still suffers distressing after effects from his illness.
I've never doubted the importance of safe  sex but even I was surprised by what happened to him; after all, there is a belief in some quarters that new medication makes the condition manageable, like diabetes 2. I know now that it remains life-threatening, and probably will continue to be so for many years.
Sorry for the homily , but I feel passionately about this. I could relate the story of another Thai friend who was diagnosed in 2007 but it is till too painful for me. 
For heaven's sake, everybody, take care and if you  are enjoying the company of Thais on the commercial scene and  be aware of their needs too, remembering that sometimes they are desperate for money. 

so much trouble and ton's of chemicals to avoid small piece of latex, Isn't it killing fun ?
Dorothy of Golden Girls fame used to say " our beds are crowded, when we sleep with somebody we sleep with everybody he slept before"

Don't.
And as for  Hep C, the risk is apparently low but that would be enough for me to insist on a condom. As I always point out when this topic turns-up (annually?), when we engage in unsafe sex, we  should be aware of the danger to our partner not just to ourselves. 
Decades after Hiv/Aids caused such devastation to our community,   some still need convincing. 

What? 

Moistmango, I think that ur post is TOTALLY necessary. The report is one of the reasons this forum exists: to rcmnd the deserving, and to warn against the cheats.

I am also escaping the water bazooka squirting madness of Pattaya - I leave for Vietnam on 12 April and return after the last squirts and water splashing should have been concluded on 22 April.
Some years back, I participated in the Songkran madness but one of my eyes got an infection from some of the dirty water that is splashed around and it took 1 entire week for the infection to go away - so I want to avoid this year's festivities.  Many of my friends are saying that I should wear googles but I also wear glasses and it is just so inconvenient to do that for 7 continuous days of water madness.....
Already here the stores are selling these GIANT bazooka water pistols - OMG 

It's a shame that so much needful water are wasted. The government could limit it to one day water festival and to avoid this stupid waste.

most people enter go-go bar alone so you will be in the mainstream, rest assured.
Leaving go-go bar alone is by no means guaranteed and if happens may be considered failure either because you are too picky or bar is not staffed properly

Thanks for sharing your insights Chucky. Does Goa have a good gay scene by the beach? I have heard many people say that the Indians are generally better looking in the north than in the south. Any thoughts?

That’s interesting. Thanks for sharing.
I was told that in the Philippines, in certain cities in Metro Manila, the social hygiene clinics (government sexual health clinics) provide health cards to sex workers who are required to go in for testing on a regular basis. Without updated health cards they are not supposed to be allowed to work. If they test positive for an STI, they are not reprimanded, they are treated and then they can return to work once cured. I don’t know what happens though if they become infected with something that can’t be cured, like HIV or Hepatitis B.
I’m sure that implementation is far from perfect, but it’s good to know that such programs exist. I’m surprised that the NGOs and the government haven’t come together in Thailand to do something similar. It seems like given the prevalence of the sex trade, it would be a great program to have. 

That’s interesting. Thanks for sharing.
I was told that in the Philippines, in certain cities in Metro Manila, the social hygiene clinics (government sexual health clinics) provide health cards to sex workers who are required to go in for testing on a regular basis. Without updated health cards they are not supposed to be allowed to work. If they test positive for an STI, they are not reprimanded, they are treated and then they can return to work once cured. I don’t know what happens though if they become infected with something that can’t be cured, like HIV or Hepatitis B.
I’m sure that implementation is far from perfect, but it’s good to know that such programs exist. I’m surprised that the NGOs and the government haven’t come together in Thailand to do something similar. It seems like given the prevalence of the sex trade, it would be a great program to have. 

That’s interesting. Thanks for sharing.
I was told that in the Philippines, in certain cities in Metro Manila, the social hygiene clinics (government sexual health clinics) provide health cards to sex workers who are required to go in for testing on a regular basis. Without updated health cards they are not supposed to be allowed to work. If they test positive for an STI, they are not reprimanded, they are treated and then they can return to work once cured. I don’t know what happens though if they become infected with something that can’t be cured, like HIV or Hepatitis B.
I’m sure that implementation is far from perfect, but it’s good to know that such programs exist. I’m surprised that the NGOs and the government haven’t come together in Thailand to do something similar. It seems like given the prevalence of the sex trade, it would be a great program to have. 

That’s interesting. Thanks for sharing.
I was told that in the Philippines, in certain cities in Metro Manila, the social hygiene clinics (government sexual health clinics) provide health cards to sex workers who are required to go in for testing on a regular basis. Without updated health cards they are not supposed to be allowed to work. If they test positive for an STI, they are not reprimanded, they are treated and then they can return to work once cured. I don’t know what happens though if they become infected with something that can’t be cured, like HIV or Hepatitis B.
I’m sure that implementation is far from perfect, but it’s good to know that such programs exist. I’m surprised that the NGOs and the government haven’t come together in Thailand to do something similar. It seems like given the prevalence of the sex trade, it would be a great program to have. 

That’s interesting. Thanks for sharing.
I was told that in the Philippines, in certain cities in Metro Manila, the social hygiene clinics (government sexual health clinics) provide health cards to sex workers who are required to go in for testing on a regular basis. Without updated health cards they are not supposed to be allowed to work. If they test positive for an STI, they are not reprimanded, they are treated and then they can return to work once cured. I don’t know what happens though if they become infected with something that can’t be cured, like HIV or Hepatitis B.
I’m sure that implementation is far from perfect, but it’s good to know that such programs exist. I’m surprised that the NGOs and the government haven’t come together in Thailand to do something similar. It seems like given the prevalence of the sex trade, it would be a great program to have. 

I’m glad you used the service and that it was beneficial to you! Not cheap but worth it. 

Definitely worth it. I stupidly didn’t get tested last year when I went back to USA. Even if I did they don’t do swab test so it would have gone unnoticed.
So I might have had this for a long time. I will use Pulse always from now on. Lesson learned. I received the Gardasil 9 vaccine from Pulse in Bangkok this past October.

I’m glad you used the service and that it was beneficial to you! Not cheap but worth it. 

Many HIV prevalence surveys of MSM are not client or facility based; rather, MSM population based in specific geographic areas. The numbers actually are shockingly high. This represents a failure of the current interventions and outreach efforts to the reach the MSM community effectively. 

Hey friends,
I recently availed the PCR28 testing service at Pulse Clinic in Silom, and I have to say, it was a remarkable experience. They're offering a 50% discount on their comprehensive STI testing, which now costs 6,700 baht. This test covers 28 different infections, with results delivered in 7 days. If you're in a hurry, you can opt for a faster turnaround with an extra fee. The clinic is easily accessible, located near the BTS Sala Daeng station. I found their service to be excellent—fast, efficient, and professionally handled. It's a great opportunity, especially since such extensive STI testing isn't readily available everywhere. Highly recommend checking it out!
For more info, check out their website: https://pulse-clinic.com/pcr-dna-test-for-28-infections
You can also purchase PrEP, PEP, and they can do other general blood work for you. They also have IV infusions to help you get over jet lag or give you a boost if you drank too much the night before.
I have no affiliation with this clinic but as a happy customer I wanted to share my experience and I hope that it would encourage others to get tested more frequently. 

Nor for me. Other people have a right to their own enjoyment but not to impinge on mine, such as throwing a bucket-full of water in my face when I'm in a crowded a baht-bus. 

Songkran for me is hate-hate afair. You can't get out of the room without being water pulled , madness everywhere.not for me.

I also wanted to mention that the consent forms that I needed to sign prior to testing had some interesting statistics:
33% of gay men in Bangkok (Thai and non-Thai) are HIV positive. Only 68% of these individuals are undergoing treatment for HIV. 
 
20% of gay men in Bangkok (Thai and non-Thai) are positive for Syphilis. 

Hey friends,
I recently availed the PCR28 testing service at Pulse Clinic in Silom, and I have to say, it was a remarkable experience. They're offering a 50% discount on their comprehensive STI testing, which now costs 6,700 baht. This test covers 28 different infections, with results delivered in 7 days. If you're in a hurry, you can opt for a faster turnaround with an extra fee. The clinic is easily accessible, located near the BTS Sala Daeng station. I found their service to be excellent—fast, efficient, and professionally handled. It's a great opportunity, especially since such extensive STI testing isn't readily available everywhere. Highly recommend checking it out!
For more info, check out their website: https://pulse-clinic.com/pcr-dna-test-for-28-infections
You can also purchase PrEP, PEP, and they can do other general blood work for you. They also have IV infusions to help you get over jet lag or give you a boost if you drank too much the night before.
I have no affiliation with this clinic but as a happy customer I wanted to share my experience and I hope that it would encourage others to get tested more frequently. 

A good reminder to stay safe, guys. Not worth it!
 

I also wanted to mention that the consent forms that I needed to sign prior to testing had some interesting statistics:
33% of gay men in Bangkok (Thai and non-Thai) are HIV positive. Only 68% of these individuals are undergoing treatment for HIV. 
 
20% of gay men in Bangkok (Thai and non-Thai) are positive for Syphilis.