Thailand’s private sector has teamed up with civil society to launch the AIDS Almost Zero campaign, which aims to raise funds for HIV prevention initiatives run by community groups of key populations. Admiral Narong Pipatanasai, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, opened the campaign at the Government House of Thailand in Bangkok on 8 May.
Since the early days of Thailand’s epidemic, civil society has a played a crucial role in the HIV response by helping to reach key populations, including sex workers, gay men and other men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs and transgender people. However, much of the funding for community organizations has come from international funding, which is no longer available since Thailand has attained middle-income status.
Since early 2015, UNAIDS in Thailand has been working with more than 30 civil society organizations to develop a resource mobilization consortium, which would help to cover the funding gap left by the withdrawal of international resources. In 2016, the consortium, led by the Raks Thai Foundation and the Thai National AIDS Foundation, organized a series of consultations with private sector representatives that were chaired by Anand Panyarachun, the former Prime Minister of Thailand. Thailand’s leading property developer, Sansiri Public Company Limited, participated in the consultations and provided financial support for the development of the AIDS Almost Zero campaign.
The speakers at the launch included Mechai Viravaidya, former minister of the Prime Minister’s office, Promboon Panitchpakdi, Executive Director of the Raks Thai Foundation, and Steve Kraus, Director of the UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Asia and the Pacific.
The aim is to raise US$ 1.4 million in 2017. At the launch, organizers announced that more than US$ 60 000 had already been secured from the Siam Commercial Bank, the Sansiri Public Company and other donors. One promoter for Thai boxing plans to organize a match at one of the country’s most famous boxing stadiums, with some of the proceeds going to the fund.
“This project is significant because it mobilizes financial support, human support and pro bono services from the private sector for civil society and complements public financial support to achieve ending AIDS by 2030.”
Admiral Narong Pipatanasai Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand
“Today we forget about AIDS. Teenagers do not know about HIV. It’s time we wake up and start raising HIV awareness again.”
Mechai Viravaidya former minister of the Prime Minister’s Office
“We don’t have enough domestic budget for HIV prevention, so we are launching a collective fundraising effort.”
Promboon Panitchpakdi Executive Director, Raks Thai Foundation
“It is good to see people from the private sector paying attention to the agenda, but we must not stop pushing. Ending AIDS is an ambitious goal but not impossible if everyone helps.”
Srettha Thavisin, President Sansiri Public Company Limited
“Social responsibility is about everyone, not just the government. We as a Thai corporation have a responsibility, an obligation, to make the country better.”
Araya Phuphanich First Executive Vice-President, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Communication, Siam Commercial Bank
“We want to donate funds to make our society better and I think sports can help raise awareness about HIV.”
Nuttadaj Vachirarattanawong Petchyindee Company, Promoter for Ratchdamnoen Thai Boxing Stadium
“We have always understood that when government works with civil society, great things happen. Now we are working with the private sector, which is very exciting.”
Steve Kraus, Director UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Asia and the Pacific
