September 14, 1999
Kanchai Sopchokchai My positive life A photo exhibition has captured the faces of people with HIV and Aids, showing they are capable of leading an ordinary life-and feeling happiness and despair-just like everybody else Atiya Achakulwisut Surin Muksri 'I wouldn't be surprised if people who come to see this exhibition don't believe I have HIV, because at first I didn't really believe it myself," said 37-year-old Sin. Sin is one of 46 people with HIV/Aids who agreed to step into the light to have their pictures taken for a photo exhibition entitled "My Positive Life". Wichao Apirakpuwadol The exhibition is an attempt to challenge the misconceptions and prejudice against people infected with HIV. The photos, taken by 13 photographers from different organisations, show the virus does not-contrary to some images-transform the people infected with it into morbid, frightening creatures. Suradej Wongsinlang The photos show that people who are HIV-positive are just like everyone else. They have dreams. They have hope. They feel pain. And they have people they love. "The scare tactics we have used to tackle the HIV/Aids epidemic has led to discrimination against infected people," said Chiranuch Premchaiporn, of Access, a support organisation for people with HIV/Aids and co-organiser of the exhibition. Surin Muksri She said: "During my eight years working in this field, however, I have come to know and to see these people as human beings, as friends, sisters and brothers. I hope the images express better than words the feelings and vivacity of these people." "My husband lost his life because he lost the will to live after seeing repulsive and frightening pictures of Aids patients on TV," said Somporn, another participant who has lived with the disease for five years. Wichao Apirakpuwadol "It is not at all easy to continue living and working in an environment of contempt and in the lack of understanding that surrounds us," said Thong-la, another HIV-positive face in the exhibition. And 28-year-old Oom, who has lived with HIV since she was 18, said: "Dying is not a problem, our problem is how to continue living while we're still alive." - My Positive Life will show at Seacon Square from October 7 to 13. Then it will move to the Fifth International Congress on Aids in Asia Pacific in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia, from October 23 to 27. Afterwards it will return to Thailand, where it will show at the Klang Plaza department store in Nakhon Ratchasima from November 1 to 7, at Diana department store in Hat Yai from November 15 to 21, at Siam Centre in Bangkok from November 29 to December 4 and finally at Kad Suan Kaew department store, Chiang Mai, from December 10 to 17. Info for donations: The organisers do not wish to solicit donations for the exhibition. However, they will publish a book, entitled The Turning Point, which will incorporate the photos and stories of people with HIV/Aids. Profits from the sale of this book, available in November, will benefit people with HIV/Aids. - Name of Organisation: Access Foundation - Contact Person: Chiranuch Premchaiporn - Contact Address: 48/282 Centre Place, Ramkhamhaeng Road, Bung Kum, Sapansoong, Bangkok 10240 - Telephone: 372-2113-5 / Fax: 372-2116 / Email: accessor@loxinfo.co.th		Current Issues in Thailand Bangkok Post Year-end Economic Review NEW! SEA Games news archive! Database 10 yrs Thailand Tatler Magazine Classifieds Jobs Property Entertainment Investment Education Travel Sales Learn English Weekly Database Horizons NiteOwl Student Weekly Real Time Special We Care NEW! Phudhong Foundation leper colony Back Issues Company Servcies Subscriptions Advertising Annual Report
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