Uni condom project gains momentum

With syphilis spiralling, students try to overcome social stigma and opt for safer sex, writes Apinya Wipatayotin

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In the quiet corners of Kasetsart University's Bang Khen campus — inside male toilets, the canteen's restroom, and student activity buildings — an unusual yet increasingly essential amenity has quietly appeared: boxes filled with condoms.

Stocked with 4,000 condoms in various sizes, these boxes are replenished monthly by the university's Office of Student Affairs, aiming to meet growing demand among students for safe sex options.

This initiative comes at a time of heightened concern among public health officials over rising rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), particularly syphilis and Aids, among young Thais.

With students paying closer attention to sexual health, the university's effort offers both accessibility and privacy — key ingredients in a campaign that is not just about free contraception but also about breaking taboos.

Anirut Narungsri, former Vice Chairman of the Office of Student Affairs at Kasetsart University, said the idea of free condom distribution was part of his election campaign.

"It was meant as a welfare project," he said. "Many students want to practise safe sex but don't want to deal with the embarrassment of buying condoms from shops."

The office reached out to several agencies to make the project feasible.

Most of the condoms were provided by the Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand, whose terms were less restrictive compared to state-owned organisations like the National Health Security Office. Placement was also carefully considered.