Amid changing attitudes, Thai Catholics lead way in AIDS awareness

Published: 2004-11-23

RAYONG, Thailand (CNS) -- The Camillian Social Center in Rayong receives at least 200 donations a month -- checks sent from across the country. But the AIDS hospice that now cares for more than 100 patients has been the target of three attacks -- including a bomb attack in 1995 for "harboring" AIDS patients considered criminals by other Thais. "We are glad that gradually the attitude to AIDS is changing. There is certainly greater social acceptance and understanding (toward AIDS)," said Camillian Father Giovanni Contarin, founding director of the center. "There was a time when local people here objected to our people walking in the street or going to the market," said Father Contarin, an Italian who heads the Catholic Committee on AIDS under the auspices of the Thai bishops' conference. "But now, even local people are coming to help us as volunteers and serve our residents," said Father Contarin, who said the church was leading the way in AIDS awareness and prevention. Sunanta Wannam, who has been working in the center's AIDS prevention department since 1997, acknowledges that people now are "less scared" of AIDS than when she started. "They are now more open and ready to listen," said Wannam, who visits offices, factories, schools and markets to spread awareness of the disease.

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