Prevention for unwanted Valentine’s gifts

PHUKET TOWN: On a day when love is the traditional gift, the Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO) has been trying to ensure that no one gets an unwanted byproduct of love. The office chose Valentine’s Day to hand out free condoms to gas stations as part of a campaign to curb the spread of sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs). Phuket Vice Governor Vinai Buapradit presented the boxes of condoms to the representatives of 39 gasoline stations from around Phuket. Dr Wanchai Sattayawutitong, the new Chief of the Phuket Provincial Health Office, said that, in addition to combating HIV/Aids, the project was also aimed at curbing unwanted pregnancies. A package of 600 condoms, in packets containing two apiece, was given to each gas station. Dr Wanchai said the PPHO would replenish depleted stocks. “This project is supported by the Health Department, which tested the quality of the condoms before giving them to the public,” Dr Wanchai said. Gas station owner Aussanee Suppasri threw his support behind the project, saying it could prevent people contracting STDs. “I will put the condoms in the male toilets, but anyone can request them, free, at the gas station,” K. Aussanee said. V/Gov Vinai said he appreciated the project’s Valentine’s Day launch because the culture of the country was changing. “This morning I heard on the radio that, according to a poll in Bangkok, the number of girls having their first sexual experience was higher on Valentine’s Day.” He said most teenagers did not know how to use protection, and this often led to unwanted pregnancies and social problems.