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Family Planning Stories From the Field: Thailand
As advocates for international family planning assistance, the Global Population and Environment Program works to bring family planning stories from abroad home to our activists. It is imperative that we understand the intricate connections between women's health and the health of the environment so that we can better advocate for the U.S. government to keep its promises to support international family planning and reproductive health programs. In the Family Planning Spotlight: 
Planned Parenthood Los Angeles (PPLA) is pleased to be partnered with the Planned Parenthood Association of Thailand (PPAT). This summer, Thailand's 'reproductive revolution' served as inspiration for PPLA staff and Board members during an exchange hosted by our Global Partners, PPAT. Thailand's 'Reproductive Revolution' This summer the two 'angelic' cities of Bangkok and Los Angeles (both translate to City of Angels) shared best practices on how to sustain and promote reproductive health effectively in the unique context of each city and country. Thailand is wonderfully inspirational - a sunny exception to the often gloomy news about global sexual and reproductive health. In one generation, Thailand successfully promoted family planning in rural and urban areas, cut its population growth rate by two thirds and squarely faced the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Key to this revolution was the tireless work of non-profit organizations and the government's willingness to educate Thai women, men and young people on sensitive issues in order to protect their health and safety. 
The Royal Family also played a prominent role. The Queen Mother was the patron of PPAT since its founding in 1965 as the first family planning organization in Thailand. Buddhist teachings (95 percent of Thais are Buddhist) support family planning efforts as well as highly successful public relations campaign launched by a social entrepreneur called Mechai Viravaidya who heads the non-profit Population and Community Development Association (PDA). The PDA defuses sensitive issues with activities like condom-blowing contests and giveaways and captures the public's attention with slogans like "many children make you poor." These and other popular publicity techniques have held the nation's attention so that vital family-planning messages could be delivered. The creativity of Mechai and his organization and the support from the Thai government and Royal family cannot be overstated. Consistent official support for sex education and economic development has cemented the message that prevention is connected to a better quality of life and greater possibilities for success. But just as in Los Angeles, Thailand's coalition of advocates can't rest just yet. Sweeping social changes have ushered in an increase in unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, especially among young people, migrant workers and marginalized tribal populations. And this year, for the fourth year in a row, the Bush administration has announced it will withhold funding from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which operates in Thailand and dozens of other developing countries. Though our government has consistently gutted funding for the care for poor women around the world, we hope creative alliances like the one forged between PPLA and PPAT will reverse this and other setbacks so that from California to Bangkok, women and families can freely and sustainably plan their own future.
Photos courtesy of Planned Parenthood Global Partners and the Planned Parenthood Federation of Los Angeles
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