Thais with AIDS sent home

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)