More than 30,000 HIV self-test kits have been distributed nationwide under a free online service, revealing infection rates nearly three times higher than the national average, says the Stand by You project.
Since 2022, the project has provided free counselling, risk assessments, HIV self-test kits, and education on HIV and other sexually transmitted infections through its Line account. In 2025, it was also integrated into the Universal Healthcare Scheme. To date, over 500,000 people have accessed the Stand by You account, with 160,000 using its services.
More than 30,000 received counselling and testing kits, with two-thirds under 30 years of age. Among them, 2.8% tested positive, three times higher than the national average.
Dr Kulkanya Chokephaibulkit, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, and founder of the project, said early detection saves lives and reduces transmission.Studies show that untreated individuals can pass HIV to three to six others, she said, noting that distributing 100 self-test kits could prevent around 10 new infections.
Thailand has 9,000 new HIV cases each year, but the National Aids Strategy (2017-2030) aims to reduce this to 1,000 annually. To achieve this, at least 100,000 test kits must be distributed each year. Failure to act could mean 8,000 new cases annually, or 400,000 over 50 years, adding more than 20 billion baht in treatment costs each year, she said.
“Early detection and treatment are crucial, not only to prevent new infections but also to improve quality of life and reduce the long-term economic burden,” she said.