Thailand once led the way in world HIV prevention, with a series of successful campaigns that helped to reduce the national HIV prevalence. However, in the new millennium there were signs of complacency; prevention programmes received just 8% of the national HIV/AIDS budget in 2000, and by 2001 the level of domestic funding for HIV prevention was half of what it had been in 1997.36 In 2006, UNAIDS reported that Thailand’s government had reduced its HIV prevention budget by two-thirds.37
There were concerns that the declining focus on prevention was putting the public at risk. Reports suggested that condom use had decreased and the rate of STI transmission had risen.38 39 Without new prevention campaigns, there was a risk that safe sex messages would be forgotten and a new generation of young people would grow up ignorant of the risks that they face.
In September 2006 following a military coup, a new Thai government was installed. In light of the concerns about a resurgence of the epidemic, the new government decided to increase HIV/AIDS prevention efforts. In 2007 a three-year strategic plan was announced which would focus on those most at risk of HIV infection and difficult-to-reach groups.40
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