Photos

On 16 February, the Secretary-General of the Thai Red Cross, Phan Wannamethee (left), and other officials from the organization presented their HIV programmes to Michel Sidibé and gave him a tour of the renowned 'anonymous clinic' which provides confidential HIV testing, counselling and treatment services.

Credit: UNAIDS/V. Dithajohn

On Valentine’s evening, Michel Sidibé participated in an HIV prevention drive in the Bangkok’s ‘Soi Cowboy’ street hosted by SWING—a Thai-based non-governmental organization. This SWING Foundation volunteer was one of many to promote messages of safe sex throughout the night.

Credit: UNAIDS/V. Dithajohn

An established success story in Thailand, SWING’s reputation is spreading across borders as a model for programmes that provide HIV services where they are most needed. Its success is ascribed, in part, to the fact that Foundation is managed and run almost entirely by current or former sex workers.

Credit: UNAIDS/V. Dithajohn

In discussions with Mr Sidibé on 15 February, Governor Paribatra said that a focus on marginalized populations, particularly migrants, is critical to effective AIDS responses in Bangkok. While underscoring the complexity of city-based approaches to the HIV epidemic, he stressed his intention to rise to the challenge of "zero new HIV infections" in the Thai capital.

Credit: UNAIDS/V. Dithajohn

Regional civil society networks representing key affected populations of people living with HIV, people who inject drugs, sex workers, transgender people and men who have sex with men outlined current concerns and plans for future action on AIDS in an interactive discussion with Mr Sidibé on 15 February.

Credit: UNAIDS/V. Dithajohn

On his final day in Thailand, Michel Sidibé met with Mechai Viravaidya (right), Thailand's celebrated "Mr Condom" who now serves as a Commissioner for the Global Commission on HIV Prevention. The UNAIDS Executive Director and Mr Viravaidya discussed strategies and innovative ideas to revolutionize HIV prevention.

Credit: UNAIDS/V. Dithajohn

In a meeting with Thailand's Minister of Public Health on 15 February, Jurin Laksanawisut (right) told Michel Sidibé that Thailand had adopted the UNAIDS vision of “zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths.”

Credit: UNAIDS/V. Dithajohn

In the first of a four-day country visit to Thailand, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé (left) presented HRH Princess Soamsawali of Thailand with a commemorative plaque for her ongoing efforts to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV and HIV-related stigma and discrimination.

Credit: Official Thailand government photographer