Welcome to Thailand.....

Here I am in Thailand, speaking at the 5th Siam Care International Conference on Sexual Health "East Meets West". This conference is in Bangkok, and the first 3 days are at the Pullman King Power Hotel. The second part is an adolescent conference in Mukdahan at the Ploy Palace Hotel, a study tour of local schools, a chance to see the Siam Care Team at work in Mukdahan and a visit over the border to Laos.

A short video about the AIDS work of Siam Care can be seen here

The Bangkok programme begins tomorrow 14th January and is looking excellent. I will link to any on-line papers when I can so that you can read and share what the experts have to say.

Tomorrow morning sessions are chaired by Jyoti Dhar and Kathy Phipps. The conference begins with an offical opening by Khunying Kobchitt Limpaphayom, and an overall theme of Sexual Health and HIV. We will hear UK and Thai view of Sexual Health issues, from Angela Robinson and Mechai Viravaidya.

The following session is by Bolton's consultant Emile Morgan who is looking at STI's and HIV in primary care. Will Ford Young's session is very interestingly entitled "Primary Care Cock-Ups and Dark Holes in GUM". Christine Evans is the last speaker of the morning and is presenting about the effects of male circumcision.

The first afternoon session on 14th is chaired by Angela Robinson and Will Ford Young and kicks off with Sris Allan's session on Vertical Transmission of HIV. This is followed by Anne Greenwood on Contraception and HIV, and then Kathy French who is looking at the extended role of the nursing. The final slots of the afternoon are being taken by Paddy Horner - Managing Urethritis, Nuntawun Yuntadilok - Sexual Health Care for Sea Farers and Anthony Pryce "Text us your Body Parts".

On Tuesday 15th January the morning's theme is Sexual Health Uro-Gynaecology, chaired by Paddy Horner and Anne Greenwood who will introduce Jyoti Dhar speaking about Genital Dermatology, Sue Reed Homeopathic on approaches to PMS and Pansak Sugkraroek - Sex Management in Elderly Men. Nikki Seddon will be looking at HPV and cervical cancer prevention, Ahmos Ghaly Lower Genital Tract and the Use of Ultrasound and Christine Evans vaginal fistula.

In the afternoon of 15th the overall topic is entitled Sexual Health and Marginalisation is chaired by Olwen Williams and Barbara Hastings-Asatourian. It begins with Cardiologist Walter Rhoden presenting "Sex and the Heart",then Mala Majora - Female Genital Mutilation and Justin Gaffney - the SohoBoyz and MSM innovation. Anthony Pryce is presenting about Premature Ejaculation in Bengali Men, and last on Tuesday is Anne Greenwood - Managing Rape and Sexual Assault.

The last day of the conference, chaired by Emile Morgan and Brian Whitehead, is focussing on Sexual Health and Adolescence and features Kathy Phipps, on Adolescent Health, Kathy Phipps and Richard Burack on Child Protection, confidentiality and consultations, Olwen Williams adolescent and primary care HIV, Hilary Piercy "Coming to do the Sex Talk", and Barbara Hastings-Asatourian Sex Education and the Web. There will be a panel session of all speakers at the end of the morning.