They will suffer. About three years ago, Dr Boonriang and his team, started in earnest to look at alternative ways to tackle the problems faced by sufferers. They also established a clinic for people with the virus. Dr Boonriang, as a member of the Phuket Civic Group, a group which works to promote a sense of community on Phuket, believes the key to the Aids crisis is not simply raising cash-but community empowerment. To be able to live happily or healthily depends on our environs being healthy.
Aids is one of the problems that stem from community failure.
If we can strengthen the community, people will be more aware of their problems and be able to find solutions. Dr Boonriang started pioneering working with people in Saphan Hin, one of Phuket's 12 slum communities. Saphan Hin also suffers a range of other social ills including crime and drugs problems. But since Dr Boonriang stepped in, things have began to change. The community now has a village committee which focuses on issues such as health, employment and children's education.