Mechai Viravaidya 834384 224016444 2008-07-06T23:11:41Z Lightbot 7178666 Units/dates/other <!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Mechai.jpg|185px|thumb|Mechai Viravaidya promotes the use of condoms in Thailand]] -->'''Mechai Viravaidya''' (born [[January 17]], [[1941]], {{lang-th|มีชัย วีระไวทยะ}}) is a politician and activist in [[Thailand]] who has popularized [[condom]]s in that country.<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/asia/2006/heroes/in_viravaidya.html Mechai Viravaidya, 60 Years of Asian Heros], ''[[Time (magazine)|Time Asia]]'', 13 November 2006</ref> Since the 1970s, Mechai has been affectionately known as "Mr. Condom", and condoms are sometimes referred to as "mechais" in Thailand.<ref>[http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/04/20/bloomberg/sxpesek.php Six influential Asians changing their part of the world.] ''[[International Herald Tribune]]'', 21 April 2005</ref> Mechai was born in [[Australia]] to a [[Scottish people|Scottish]] mother and a [[Thai people|Thai]] father<ref>[http://www.pattayamail.com/496/who.shtml Successfully Yours: Mechai Viravaidya]; [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9E0CE3D9163EF933A15751C1A964958260 Conversations/Mechai Viravaidya; Brash and Unabashed, Mr. Condom Takes on Sex and Death in Thailand]</ref>. He has a sister, Sumalee, who was formerly a journalist in Bangkok. Meechai was educated at [[Geelong Grammar School]]. In the mid-1960s he came to Thailand and started to work in [[family planning]], emphasizing condoms. In 1973, he left government and founded a non-profit service organization, the Population and Community Development Association (PDA), to continue the working to improve the lives of the rural poor. Among other things, he held condom blowing contests for school children, encouraged taxi cab drivers to hand out condoms to their customers, and founded a restaurant chain called "Cabbages and Condoms" where condoms rather than mints are served after the meal. Mechai served as deputy minister of industry from 1985 to 1986 under prime minister [[Prem Tinsulanonda]]. He served as [[National Assembly of Thailand|senator]] from 1987 until 1991. During this time [[AIDS]] appeared in Thailand, and he increased his efforts to promote sexual-safety awareness. A military coup in 1991 installed prime minister [[Anand Panyarachun]]; Panyarachun then appointed Viravaidya minister for tourism, information and AIDS. He was able to start a large and quite successful education campaign and served until 1992. In 2004, Mechai again became a senator. As of 2007, he continues to oversee rural development and health initiatives as the Chairman of PDA. On May 29, 2007 PDA was awarded the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's Gates Award in recognition of its pioneering work in family planning and HIV/AIDS prevention.<ref>[http://www.gatesfoundation.org/GlobalHealth/Announcements/Announce-070529.htm]"Announcements." Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation web site.</ref> An interesting side note is the large abortion clinic which openly operates next to the Condoms and Cabbages restaurant. This is one of several places in Bangkok where women can purchase a professional abortion on demand, a practice which is technically illegal in the country.<ref name=encyclo>[http://www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/IES/thailand.html Thailand], in ''The International Encyclopedia of Sexuality'', 1997-2001</ref> The clinic is tolerated, purportedly though not officially through arrangements made by Mechai Viravaidya.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} He won praise from the [[toilet]] industry (but criticism from the retail industry) for proposing that retailers be obliged to build a public toilet for every 10 square metres of retail space.<ref>The Nation, [http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/18/headlines/headlines_30019323.php Toilet-train food firms: Mechai], 18 November 2006</ref> ==References== <references /> ==Further reading== *Thomas D'Agnes. ''From condoms to cabbages: An authorized biography of Mechai Viravaidya''. ISBN 974-228-009-6 == External links == * [http://www.sli.unimelb.edu.au/pda/drmechai.htm Curriculum Vitae of Mechai Viravaidya] * [http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/rxforsurvival/series/champions/mechai_viravaidya.html Global Health Champion page, Rx for Survival Series] * [http://www.gonomad.com/features/0011/snedaker_cabbages.html A Restaurant with a Mission] - Article about Viravaidya and the Cabbages and Condoms restaurant concept. {{DEFAULTSORT:Viravaidya, Mechai}} [[Category:AIDS activists]] [[Category:Old Geelong Grammarians]] [[Category:Australians of Thai descent]] [[Category:Thai people of Scottish descent]] [[Category:Thai politicians]] [[Category:1941 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Ramon Magsaysay Award winners]] [[th:มีชัย วีระไวทยะ]]