Deadly serious humour for the "go-go girls". Thailand
Timm, M.
Aids Action 9: 4
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0953-0096 PMID: 12290134 Document Number: 380344
13,600 people had been officially reported by 1989 as being infected with HIV in Thailand. Unofficial government projections, however, suggest that the true extent of HIV infection was closer to 30,000 cases, and that more than one million people will be infected by 1994. Thousands of tourists visit Thailand annually in search of sex. Empower is an association established in 1985 to help the estimated 4000 women who work in Patpong's bars and brothels. Empower produces the Honeybee Cabaret, performers who enact a series of comedy skits on safer sex targeted to go-go dancers, as part of its efforts against AIDS. Almost twenty shows have been staged throughout Patpong over the past four years with the goal of helping the female audience and their customers to overcome shyness in discussing and practicing safer sex. Responses vary. It is unfortunate that female prostitutes who insist that their customers use condoms are typically beaten by their clients and later by the brothel or bar owner. Customers and bar owners must be taught about the need to use condoms. Empower also runs a center located five minutes by foot from Patpong where the bar workers can obtain information on AIDS and other STDs through videos, counseling, pamphlets, and discussion. Women with HIV or AIDS are referred for treatment and counseling to local doctors who guarantee confidentiality.