Not Helping Anybody

I was hoping it was a bad translation and I wouldn’t have to worry about the horribly false statement on the sign, but when I looked each word up in my dictionary and translated it myself, they had translated it perfectly: Thai Herbs Can Cure AIDS.

Less worrisome but still strange is the fact that the sign is hanging above an appliance store selling stubby refrigerators and single grill stoves. The store sits on the main street in town, across from the bank. I’ve lived here for more than two months and have only recently noticed the sign, but I’m sure the locals must all have seen the sign and its claim.

AIDS is definitely a problem here in Buakhao, not as bad as some places, but far worse than at home. With prostitution a common (though technically illegal) practice, it’s not a huge surprise. Still, I thought the grave reality of the disease would demand public awareness, education, and action. My family is fully aware and is petrified about the disease and I assumed, perhaps for little to no reason, that the rest of the population shared their feelings. Condoms are readily available at shops in town but now after seeing this sign I wonder if Thais even bother with them. What I also don’t know is to what extent the small villages in the countryside are detached from education as well. It’s hard to imagine some of the farmers coming all the way in town to buy condoms.

I suppose the bottom line is that I really don’t know a thing about the AIDS problem out here, and although I use to be aware but optimistic about it, now I’m worried that nobody takes it seriously at all.