Bangkok: The Department of Disease Control emphasizes that "HIV can be detected and prevented if tested early," and stresses the importance of using condoms every time to reduce the risk of infection.
According to Thai News Agency, the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, emphasizes the importance of preventing HIV and sexually transmitted infections and promotes the use of condoms every time you have sexual intercourse, with everyone, through any means, in order to reduce risky behaviors and new infections. This is coupled with encouraging the public to get tested for HIV regularly to know their status.
Dr. Montien Kanasawasdi revealed that the Department of Disease Control has been continuously monitoring the HIV situation. Mathematical models estimate that the trend of new HIV infections is decreasing: 9,230 cases in 2022, 9,083 cases in 2023, and 8,124 cases in 2024. Almost half of these cases are among young people aged 15-24. Meanwhile, data from the National AIDS Program (NAP) of the National Health Security Office shows that 25,134 people were diagnosed and registered for HIV treatment in 2022, 24,886 in 2023, 24,074 in 2024, and 23,478 in 2025. It's important to note that the number of people diagnosed and registered for treatment each year does not represent all new infections that year; it may include those who were previously infected but never tested and only recently underwent testing and received a diagnosis in the reporting year. This situation reflects that, although the trend of new infections is decreasing, there are still a number of people living with HIV who are unaware of their infectio n status and have not yet accessed appropriate care and treatment.
Furthermore, the situation of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among youth over the past five years has shown a worrying upward trend. Syphilis has increased 2.7 times, from 4,326 cases to 11,813 cases, and gonorrhea has increased 2.5 times, from 3,912 cases to 9,897 cases, reflecting a continued lack of proper contraception in sexual behavior.
Dr. Niti Hetanurak, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, added that HIV testing is extremely important because people who are unaware of their HIV status may unknowingly transmit the virus. Early detection allows for immediate access to antiretroviral treatment. If medication is taken continuously and on time every day, the viral load in the blood can be controlled to a very low level, undetectable or below 200 viral particles per milliliter of blood. This prevents transmission to others, allowing individuals to live, study, work, and have families normally.
People can receive free HIV testing twice a year at their nearest healthcare facility, or request a self-test kit through the "Paotang" application, under the "Health Wallet" menu, selecting "Good Health and Prevention," and pick up the test kit at a nearby service unit. Preliminary results are available within 20 minutes. If the test is positive, confirmatory testing at a hospital and treatment should begin immediately.
The Department of Disease Control emphasizes the importance of using condoms every time you have sexual intercourse, with anyone, through any means, to reduce the risk of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The department continues to promote prevention, testing, and treatment through collaboration across all sectors to reduce HIV and STIs and foster sustainable sexual health among Thais. For further information, please contact the Department of Disease Control hotline at 1422.