Thais with AIDS sent home

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The head of the local health office says 50 Thai nationals who had been working in the fishing industry have been sent home after they tested positive for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

Slamet Hadisunarno said that the 50 Thais had already spread the virus, which causes AIDS, to the local people.

They had to be deported to prevent further damage, he said.

About 800 Thai citizens are currently employed in Irian Jaya's fishing industry, Antara reported, most of them working in southern coastal towns such as Merauke.

Slamet said the Thai expatriates frequented the local red light districts, spreading the virus to the local people.

In addition to the 50 Thais, 23 Indonesians have tested positive for the virus.

The authorities have ruled that all Thai fishermen be confined to the ports of Biak Numfor and Sorong. However, many Thais have entered the province aboard ships flying the Indonesian flag and are therefore difficult to monitor. (emb)