Overview
The Population Council began work in Thailand in 1959, when the Council awarded two fellowships to Thai students. In 1963, the Council sponsored one of the first studies in Thailand of the demand for family planning. In 1964, two staff members were posted to Bangkok.
Council staff worked to incorporate an understanding of the causes and consequences of population change into Thailand’s five-year development plans. The Council supported research and evaluation on fertility, on contraceptive practice, and on organized family planning programs
that significantly improved reproductive health services. Thailand was an early test case for the prescription of oral contraceptives by paramedics.
Beginning in the late 1960s, the Council supported university-based research and training programs that continue to train a new generation of population specialists from around the world. And in the early 1980s, Council assistance helped Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health inform people about the risks of HIV.
The Council closed its office in Thailand in 2006.
Highlights of past and present work
- Worked with researchers at Chulalongkorn Hospital, Siriraj Hospital, Ramathibodi Hospital, and Maternal and Child Hospital in Nakhorn Sawan, and in a clinical study of the mifepristone-misoprostol medical abortion regime for inducing abortion in cases where the procedure is legal.
- Promoted the evaluation and accreditation of workplace AIDS programs in conjunction with the Thai Business Coalition on AIDS.
- Collaborated with the Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH) to develop standards for the community-level case management of infection in Lampang, Thailand, a province with a high prevalence of HIV and AIDS.
- Introduced and evaluated an HIV/AIDS school-based "life skills" curriculum for vocational students.
- Conducted a situation analysis of a Ministry of Public Health project to expand antiretroviral therapy for persons living with AIDS.
- Conducted Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials of the Council's first-generation microbicide candidate, Carraguard.
Projects
Reducing Drop-outs and Increasing Adherence Rates Among People Living with HIV/AIDS on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in Northern Thailand (more)
Council researchers with the Horizons program evaluated the use of practical guidelines and a clinic-counseling intervention in promoting short and long-term HIV/AIDS medication adherence in Thailand.
(11/2003 - 5/2007)
HIV care, support, and treatment; People living with HIV
Resources
Acceptability of Carraguard vaginal microbicide gel among HIV-infected women in Chiang Rai, Thailand (abstract) (HTML)Whitehead,Sara J.; McLean,Catherine A.; Chaikummao,Supaporn; Braunstein,Sarah; Utaivoravit,Wat; van de Wijgert,Janneke; Mock,Philip A.; Siraprapasiri,Taweesap; Friedland,Barbara A.; Kilmarx,Peter H.; Markowitz,Lauri
PLoS ONE 6(9): e14831-
Publication date: 2011
HIV genital shedding and safety of Carraguard use by HIV-infected women: A crossover trial in Thailand (abstract)
McLean,Catherine A.; van de Wijgert,Janneke; Jones,Heidi E.; Karon,John M.; McNicoll,Janet M.; Whitehead,Sara J.; Braunstein,Sarah; Achalapong,Jullapong; Chaikummao,Supaporn; Tappero,Jordan W.; Markowitz,Lauri; Kilmarx,Peter H.
AIDS 24(5): 717-722
Publication date: 2010
Acceptability of a Carrageenan-based candidate vaginal microbicide and matching placebo: Findings from a phase II safety trial among women in Chiang Rai, Thailand (abstract)
Jones,Heidi E.; Chaikummao,Supaporn; van de Wijgert,Janneke; Friedland,Barbara A.; Manopaiboon,Chomnad; Witwatwongwana,Paisit; Wankrairoj,Mayuree; Chantharojwong,Nartlada; Kilmarx,Peter H.
Journal of Women's Health 18(7): 1003-1010
Publication date: 2009
Satisfaction with peer educators among HIV infected persons (abstract)
Suwanteerangkul,Jiraporn; Chariyalertsak,Suwat; Oberdorfer,Peninnah; Thapinta,Darawan; Wu,Albert W.; Sarna,Avina; Guest,Philip
Chiang Mai Medical Journal 48(3): 95-104
Publication date: 2009
A randomized, placebo-controlled trial to assess the safety and acceptability of use of Carraguard vaginal gel by heterosexual couples in Thailand (abstract)
Kilmarx,Peter H.; Blanchard,Kelly; Chaikummao,Supaporn; Friedland,Barbara A.; Srivirojana,Nucharee; Connolly,Cathy; Witwatwongwana,Paisit; Supawitkul,Somsak; Mock,Philip A.; Chaowanachan,Thanyanan; Tappero,Jordan W.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases 35(3): 226-232
Publication date: 2008
An assessment of the Positive Partnership Project in Thailand: Key considerations for scaling-up microcredit loans for HIV-positive and negative pairs in other settings (abstract)
Viravaidya,Mechai; Wolf,R.C.; Guest,Philip
Global Public Health 3(2): 115-136
Publication date: 2008
Support by migrants to their elderly parents in rural Cambodia and Thailand: A comparative study (PDF)
Zimmer,Zachary; Korinek,Kim; Knodel,John; Chayovan,Napaporn
Poverty, Gender, and Youth Working Paper (no. 2)
Publication date: 2007
Vietnamese aging and marital sexual behavior in comparative perspective (abstract)
Knodel,John; Vu Tuan Huy; Vu Manh Loi; Ghuman,Sharon
Asian Population Studies 3(1): 57-78
Publication date: 2007
Acceptability of Carraguard vaginal gel use among Thai couples (abstract)
Whitehead,Sara J.; Kilmarx,Peter H.; Blanchard,Kelly; Manopaiboon,Chomnad; Chaikummao,Supaporn; Friedland,Barbara A.; Achalapong,Jullapong; Wankrairoj,Mayuree; Mock,Philip A.; Thanprasertsuk,Sombat; Tappero,Jordan W.
AIDS 20(17): 2141-2148
Publication date: 2006
Early 40s and still unmarried: A continuing trend in Thailand (abstract)
Williams,Lindy; Guest,Philip; Varangrat,Anchalee
International Journal of Comparative Sociology 47(2): 83-116
Publication date: 2006
Policy lessons of the East Asian demographic transition (PDF)
McNicoll,Geoffrey
Policy Research Division Working Paper (no. 210)
Publication date: 2006
Policy lessons of the East Asian demographic transition (abstract) (PDF)
McNicoll,Geoffrey
Population and Development Review 32(1): 1-25
Publication date: 2006
Attitudes toward marriage among the urban middle-class in Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines
Williams,Lindy; Guest,Philip
Journal of Comparative Family Studies 36(2): 163-186
Publication date: 2005
Demographic change and the demographic dividend in Thailand (abstract)
Wongoboonsin,Kua; Guest,Philip; Prachuabmoh,Vipan
Asian Population Studies 1(2): 245-256
Publication date: 2005
Obtaining accurate responses to sensitive questions among Thai students: A comparison of two data collection techniques
Rumakom,Patchara; Guest,Philip; Chinvarasopak,Waranuch; Utarmat,Watit; Sontanakanit,Jiraporn; Jejeebhoy,Shireen J.; Shah,Iqbal; Thapa,Shyam
from Sex without Consent: Young People in Developing Countries, pp. 318-322
Publication date: 2005
A rapid situation analysis of the access to care project in Northern Thailand (PDF)
Panpanich,Ratana
Horizons Final Report
Publication date: 2004
How indicators of socioeconomic status relate to physical functioning of older adults in three Asian societies (abstract)
Zimmer,Zachary; Chayovan,Napaporn; Lin,Hui-Sheng; Natividad,Josefina N.
Research on Aging 26(2): 224-258
Publication date: 2004
The role of incentives in encouraging workplace HIV/AIDS policies and programs (PDF)
Baker,Simon; Sartsara,Srisuman; Rumakom,Patchara; Guest,Philip; Schenk,Katie D.; Pramualratana,Anthony; Suksakulwat,Suparat; Panakitsuwan,Surachai; Moonmeung,Sikarat
Horizons Research Summary
Publication date: 2004
Using incentives to encourage AIDS programs and policies in the workplace: A study of feasibility and impact in Thailand (PDF)
Baker,Simon; Sartsara,Srisuman; Rumakom,Patchara; Guest,Philip; Schenk,Katie D.; Pramualratana,Anthony; Suksakulwat,Suparat; Panakitsuwan,Surachai; Moonmeung,Sikarat
Horizons Final Report
Publication date: 2004
Changes in the epidemiological transition in Thailand due to HIV/AIDS: Implications for population and health policies (abstract)
Rumakom,Patchara; Prasartkul,Pramote; Guest,Philip; Thongthai,Varachai; Punpuing,Sureeporn
Journal of Population and Social Studies 11(2)
Publication date: 2003
From trafficking to sex worker: Burmese migrants in Thailand
Boonmongkon,Pimpawum; Guest,Philip; Marddent,Amporn; Sanders,Steve; Darwin,Muhadjir; Wattie,Anna Marie; Yuarsi,Susi Eja
from Living on the Edges: Cross-Border Mobility and Sexual Exploitation in the Greater Southeast Asia Sub-Region, pp. 163-232
Publication date: 2003
How indicators of socioeconomic status relate to physical functioning of older adults in three Asian societies (PDF)
Zimmer,Zachary; Chayovan,Napaporn; Lin,Hui-Sheng; Natividad,Josefina N.
Policy Research Division Working Paper (no. 172)
Publication date: 2003
Programming for HIV prevention among college students in Thailand (PDF)
Baker,Simon; Rumakom,Patchara; Rewthong,Usasinee; Sartsara,Srisuman; McCauley,Ann P.; Greene,Jessica
Horizons Research Summary
Publication date: 2003
Motivations for and barriers to study participation (PDF)
Population Briefs 8(1)
Publication date: 2002
Reducing HIV infection among youth: What can schools do? Key baseline findings from Mexico, South Africa, and Thailand (PDF)
Stewart,Holley; McCauley,Ann P.; Baker,Simon; Givaudan,Martha; James,Shegs; Leenen,Iwin; Pick,Susan; Reddy,Priscilla; Rewthong,Usasinee; Rumakom,Patchara; Walker,Dilys
Horizons Report
Publication date: 2001
Socioeconomic status and health among older adults in Thailand: An examination using multiple indicators (abstract)
Zimmer,Zachary; Amornsirisomboon,Pattama
Social Science and Medicine 52(8): 1297-1311
Publication date: 2001
Women's willingness to participate in microbicide trials in northern Thailand (abstract)
Kanokwan,Tharawan; Manopaiboon,Chomnad; Ellertson,Charlotte; Limpakarnjanarat,Kanchit; Chaikummao,Supaporn; Kilmarx,Peter H.; Blanchard,Kelly; Coggins,Christiana; Mastro,Timothy D.; Elias,Christopher J.
Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 28(2): 180-186
Publication date: 2001
From family planning to reproductive health: Policy and practice in India, Bangladesh and Thailand
Pachauri,Saroj; Singh,J.S.
from South to South: Developing Countries Working Together on Population and Development, pp. 51-75
Publication date: 2000
Health and social arrangements of aging parents in Thailand: Where are the children and what do they do?
Zimmer,Zachary; Chayovan,Napaporn
Journal of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine 1(2): 24-42
Publication date: 2000
Health situation of asylum seekers from Burma in Thailand (abstract)
Guest,Philip; Archavantikul,Kritaya; Ssuksinchai,Saowaphak
Journal of Population and Social Studies 9(1): 53-74
Publication date: 2000
A comparison of the impact of education on functional limitations across three countries: Taiwan, Thailand, and the Philippines
Zimmer,Zachary; Liu,Xian; Chen,Chaonan; Hermalin,Albert I.; Hu,Sheng-Cheng; Smith,James P.
from Emerging Social Economic Welfare Programs for Aging in Taiwan in a World Context, pp. 305-336
Publication date: 1999
A study of women's preferences regarding the formulation of over-the-counter vaginal spermicides (PDF)
Coggins,Christiana; Elias,Christopher J.; Atisook,Ronachai; Bassett,Mary T.; Ettiegne-Traore,Virginie; Ghys,Peter D.; Jenkins-Woelk,Laura; Thongkrajai,Earmporn; VanDevanter,Nancy L.
Robert H. Ebert Program on Critical Issues in Reproductive Health Publication Series
Publication date: 1998
Reproductive tract infection. Lessons learned from the field: Where do we go from here? (PDF)
Grant,Jennifer; Measham,Diana
Robert H. Ebert Program on Critical Issues in Reproductive Health Publication Series
Publication date: 1996
Gender and schooling in Thailand
Knodel,John
Policy Research Division Working Paper (no. 60)
Publication date: 1994
Fertility decline and children's education in Thailand: Some macro and micro effects
Knodel,John
Policy Research Division Working Paper (no. 40)
Publication date: 1992
The impact of fertility decline on the familial system of support for the elderly: An illustration from Thailand
Knodel,John; Chayovan,Napaporn; Siriboon,Siriwan
Policy Research Division Working Paper (no. 36)
Publication date: 1992
The Muek-lek Women's Dairy Project in Thailand
Rao,Aruna
SEEDS (no. 12)
Publication date: 1990
Thailand Fast Facts
| Population (millions) | 69.9 |
|---|---|
| Total fertility rate | 1.6 |
| Infant deaths per 1,000 live births | 12 |
| Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births | 48 |
| Girls aged 20-24 married by age 18 (%) | 20 |
| HIV/AIDS prevalence (%) | 1.3 |
| Living below US $2 per day (%) | 27 |
Country statistics from Demographic and Health Surveys, 1987–2011; UNAIDS and UNICEF websites (accessed 10/22/2012); "World Population Data Sheet" (Population Reference Bureau, 2012) | |
What's New
- 31 January 2013 | Bixby fellowship application deadline: The Council’s Fred H. Bixby Fellowship Program expands training opportunities for social scientists and biomedical researchers in the health and population fields. The program is geared toward developing-country nationals in the early stages of their careers. (more)
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