Wat Phra Baht Nam Phu
At least one million Thais have been infected with HIV/AIDS since the first reported case in 1984. The rate was increasing at an alarming rate in the 1990s, however, with the society at that time not well aware of what was becoming a major social issue, those affected were cast aside and left to Lire la suite
Founded in 1992 by bouddhist monk Alongkot Dokkapanyo
thanks to the temple's extensive public relations strategies bringing in donations amounting to the equivalent of millions of dollars. Photos of the temple's sick and emaciated patients adorn posters and donation boxes across the nation and television stations from around the globe visit to film Lire la suite
The temple's activities have always been controversial in recent years. Tourists from mostly western nations visit in thousands every week, taking tours that are guided by some of the relatively-healthy AIDS patients. They go through the wards where the relatively-weak AIDS patients are, without Lire la suite
Yes, the hospice provides care and 'protects' those suffering from AIDS, but what is it doing to how people see HIV/AIDS patients? Dead AIDS patients whose bodies are not taken back by their relatives become sandbags or pieces of art, or part of the exhibits in the museum that has little Lire la suite
Those who are still relatively healthy host the tours or performances for the visitors, helping to attract more donations. I can't help myself from feeling that all of these together only exacerbate prejudice.
In Thailand, more than 400,000 have died from AIDS, however, it is also one of the few countries to have successfully curbed its epidemic with awareness campaigns, and later pioneered the widespread distribution of anti-retrovirus drugs (ARVs), which slow the progress of the incurable disease. In Lire la suite
HIV prevalence among intravenous drug users and s ex workers remains high, while condom use among Thai teenagers is shockingly low. No time should be spared to come up with a new way to spread awareness.
That is followed by the crematorium, which is surrounded by what seem to look like sculptures or other pieces of art made from the bones and ashes of those who have been cremated here. Then they walk to a hall which houses a Buddha surrounded by piles of sandbags, or 'ash-bags', which contain the Lire la suite
Ash of the deceaseds stored in the temple, families are afraid of getting back them, superstition.
