Do Most Bars Require HIV Testing?

[Torurot]

Jaidete I'm not going to turn this into you said, I said. Have YOU ever been in a bar when

>>They sometimes have required meetings (if you don't show, they dock your salary) where they bring a doctor in to explain safe sex and have even had impromptu on site testing to catch those who fake their documents. >>

because IF they do .... (yes I doubt it, but your so right, I was NOT THERE so I absolutely & without reservation rescind my baseless comment & apologise to you for any inference which may possibly be inferred!) can you explain WHY so MANY girls are so fcking clueless, and in fact dangerously careless in their practice of "safe" sex? 70+% (I make this up out of thin air based on MY experience) don't even carry condoms or even lube, and YES I've seen in their bag/purse. Is that "but they seem to do as much as you could reasonably expect" what YOU actually believe is reasonable? I DO NOT. In my experience of Patong (Phuket) nobody has any compulsory or otherwise testing, OR education about STD/STI. YMMV! In an earlier time 20 years ago Dr `Condom' Meechai Viravaidya had the ear of the government and education, and condoms were routinely handed out. Since??? I'm waiting for a whole lot of olde hands to pile in saying their Number 1 honey has been both educated, and tested, any time in the last four years. My "expertise", such as it is does not extend to BKK in recent time. Looking back at your post [233] perhaps it is only girl GoGo's that have this??

[mardhi]

I would place zero confidence in anything I was told by a P4P worker/bar unless I had watched the test being done myself and had it done at a reputable and expensive hospital. Even then its not conclusive as unless your testing for everything under the sun, what exactly do you test for? Solution? Cover up at all times - its not exactly rocket science and by trying to play the odds is delusion at best and life threatening at worst. Why anyone would even place store in some back shop clinic is beyond me, but people seem to cling for this little piece of paper or booklet as being proof. Its no proof whatsoever - what it is, is a stamp or signature maybe aluding that a inspection was passed at the time is was performed. The booklet would probably make no mention of WHAT was inspected or tested and is another case of Thai people telling farang what they want to hear, rather than tackling the underlying cause.

By the way, I would seriously doubt any bar actually uses books nor would show any records anyway as it demonstrates in law that they are a venue for sexual activity, which they are technically not. What is agreed between a employee and a customer is up to them - which is why no bar receives money for any activity taking place outside of the bar. The barfine is to release the employee from working within the bar but even most places are also very cagey about having that printed anywhere.

I recall asking some girl why she had a plaster on the outside of her arm (just under where you have a TB innoculation as kids) and she said, oh I go for HIV test today. Cant say I have ever seen any decent medical professional take blood from that place before - its always in the bend of your elbow where you access the vein easily - or at least thats my experience. Going on she told me everything fine. "How long did it take" "just waitied 5 minutes and every all clear" was answer - well 5 years ago, there were no regular fast tests so thats interesting. Second was the price. "Just 125 baht" she replied. Which must elude to being the cheapest, fastest clinic in the world. Maybe Thailand is becoming the centre for speedy cheap testing but I doubt it. Probably what happened is they drew a token of blood. Left her sitting their for 5 minutes and then announced everything fine. Give receipt (wont say exactly what was fine and thus non commital either way if anyone checked) and they get to see her next month for the same routine. Everyone is happy - she gets the paper, the clinic keeps the customer coming back paying moey everymonth etc etc.

But seriously guys, you have to assume the worst of everyone in the P4P game - and your odds are much reduced of catching anything untoward. Personally I would not imagine many are carrying that much, but why even try and second guess it and then placed yourself at risk.

Cheers
Mardhi

[mardhi]

(Torurot @ Aug. 19 2008,17:45)   70+% (I make this up out of thin air based on MY experience)  don't even carry condoms or even lube, and YES I've seen in their bag/purse.  

Carrying condoms has been used by the police as evidence of prostitution before - hence most will not just have a copious supply in their handbag. They buy when needed as it reduces issues with police.

Cheers
Mardhi

[jadeite]

Questioning is ok, but telling me it didn't happen was an odd response. But I think we mostly agree. My observation on what you say is the same--some don't practice safe sex, some do. Condoms are around though. Every time I go to a ST room they explicitly offer them. For LT, some girls have their own or buy along the way. And some don't.

And what proof do you want? A photo of a girls checkup sheet? The name of one who was kicked out of the bar for failing an impromptu test? The name of the doctor who gave sex education talks? The required all hands meeting time and place? And then I am sure you will all minimize it to be an exceptional thing that doesn't exist anywhere else except to exactly what and when I have proof of and no more than that. So do your own checking, I have a feeling some may be surprised at what you find.