Sex in the Village: Culture, Religion and HIV/AIDS in Thailand

Sex in the Village presents an overview of perspectives on and approaches towards the prevention of HIV/AIDS in Thailand within the context of the global community, drawing useful comparisons and contrasts between local and global situations. The study begins by discussing various secular and religious approaches to the prevention of HIV/AIDS, and highlights lessons learnt from the success of different strategies. It also examines how globalization has affected sexuality in Thailand from a historical perspective and discusses the dynamic interaction between Thai culture and globalization.

The author interviews Buddhist and Christian religious leaders and villagers involved with prevention programs in two communities in northern Thailand. Their differing worldviews reveal differing perspectives on sexuality and HIV/AIDS prevention. The book concludes with an assessment of the effectiveness of religious interventions in HIV/AIDS prevention, and research findings on sex education in Thailand.

This book is the fourth volume in the series Communication for Development and Social Change.

What others are saying

“The book . . . probes whether social determinants, including culture and religion, help or hinder local residents in their own attempts to curb the spread of AIDS. The cost of managing the disease has increased significantly compared to many other health interventions. To make sure such expenditures are effective, we need to understand the social context of prevention strategies and confirm that it is relevant to the social relations of people. This book will help us achieve this understanding.”—Emeritus Professor Santhat Sermsri, Chairman, Committee for Research Ethics (Social Science Branch), Mahidol University, Bangkok

Highlights

Discusses the effect of globalization on sexuality in Thailand from a historical perspective
Presents interviews conducted with Buddhist and Christian religious leaders involved with HIV/AIDS prevention programs
Considers both Thai and global perspectives, approaches, and experience regarding HIV/AIDS prevention

About the Author

Patchanee Malikhao received her PhD in Sociology from the University of Queensland (UQ) in Brisbane, Australia, in 2008. She was researcher and graduate instructor at the School of Public Health and Health Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA, from 2008 to 2011. She is now a lecturer of the English‐language program in the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication at Thammasat University in Bangkok, Thailand. Patchanee communicates in Thai, English and Dutch.