Thai youths rank poorly on contraceptive use

Even more frightening for parents and educators is that the age of first sexual intercourse in Thailand continues to drop.

"We've witnessed a record number of pregnancies in girls as young as 13 and 14, and that's worrying," said Prof Surasak Taneepanichskul, who is a representative of the Asia-Pacific Council on Contraception.

About 19.2 per cent of births in Thailand, or 150,000, happen to women under 20, and 30 per cent of the abortion-related hospital admissions are also among those under 20, said Dr Nanta Auamkul, director of the Health Department Bureau of Technical Advisers.

The survey, conducted in 15 countries by research and market-information group Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS), was entitled "Teen Sexual Intercourse and Contraception". It showed Thai youths, along with those in Turkey, China, Singapore and South Korea, fell below the average in terms of protection.

On average, 31 per cent of teenagers and young adults do not discuss contraception before their first time. The lack awareness and the knowledge to protect themselves.

Read more...