HIV treatment rights

The rights of people with HIV

People with HIV have the same rights as everyone else, along with specific rights related to health care that are worth knowing.

Protected rights

These rights are grounded in human rights principles, the constitutional right to access health services equally, and the country's AIDS policy.

Why knowing your rights matters

Knowing your rights helps you access treatment with confidence, protect yourself from unfair treatment, and live with dignity. See the treatment overview at HIV treatment: what you should know.

The right to access treatment

The most basic right is the right to access treatment.

Treatment provided free

In Thailand, people with HIV can access antiretrovirals free under the health security scheme, and are offered treatment straight after diagnosis.

Treatment is a right, not a privilege

Receiving treatment is a right for everyone with HIV, not something to be asked for as a special case. Access to antiretrovirals helps you stay healthy and live a long life. Read about antiretrovirals at antiretroviral therapy.

The right to voluntary testing with consent

HIV testing should be voluntary and with consent.

Voluntary testing

An HIV test should be done when a person consents and understands, and there should be no forced testing without consent, except in specific cases set by law.

The right to decline

You have the right to ask questions and understand before deciding to test, and the right to decline, and good testing is testing you choose with understanding.

Counselling with testing

People being tested have the right to information and counselling both before and after the test. Thailand has anonymous testing services that make testing accessible in a comfortable and private way.

The right to confidentiality

HIV status is private information that is protected.

Your information is confidential

Your test results and HIV status are confidential, and health providers have a duty to keep them private and not disclose them without consent.

You control your own information

You have the right to decide who to share your status with. Knowing that your information is protected helps you feel able to get tested and stay in treatment.

Telling your health team safely

Telling your health team about your status helps you get appropriate care, and that information is kept confidential within the team looking after you.

The right to freedom from discrimination

People with HIV have the right not to be discriminated against.

Equal treatment

Thailand's constitution recognises the right to access health services equally, and the country's policy aims to reduce stigma and discrimination against people with HIV, whether in health facilities, the workplace, or places of study.

A reality still improving

Although there has been great progress, some stigma and discrimination still happen. Knowing your rights and having accurate information, such as about U=U, helps you protect yourself. Read more about daily life at living with HIV.

Understanding reduces discrimination

Discrimination often comes from not knowing, and giving society accurate information, such as about how HIV is and is not passed on and about U=U, helps reduce fear and discrimination over time.

The right to dignified care

People with HIV have the right to be cared for with respect and dignity.

Respectful care

Receiving health services should be done with respect, without judgement, and with regard for the human dignity of everyone with HIV.

Friendly services

Many services in Thailand, especially community clinics and organisations working with key populations, provide friendly and understanding care, so people with HIV feel safe and well looked after.

The right to work and education

HIV should not be a barrier to work and education.

Work and study equally

People with HIV have the right to work and study like everyone else, generally without needing to disclose their status to a workplace or school, and should not be refused because of their status.

HIV testing for a job

Requiring an HIV test as a condition of employment when it is not necessary is unfair treatment, and if you meet a situation like this, you can seek advice from organisations that help.

Your value is unchanged

Having HIV does not reduce your ability or value in work and study, and many people with HIV succeed in every field just like anyone else.

Foreigners and treatment rights

Foreigners living in or visiting Thailand can also access treatment, though the conditions differ from those for Thai nationals.

Options for access

Foreigners can get treatment at private clinics or through organisations that provide health support for non-nationals, with conditions and costs that vary.

Ask in advance

Because the rights and conditions for foreigners have their own specifics, it is best to ask a service or a relevant organisation in advance to plan suitable care.

What to do if your rights are violated

If you feel your rights have been violated, there are ways to seek help.

Steps you can take

• record what happened in detail
• consult organisations that help with the rights of people with HIV
• ask for advice on the appropriate steps

You do not have to face it alone

There are organisations and networks working on the rights of people with HIV in Thailand ready to give advice and help. Seeking help is your right and helps you be treated fairly.

Keep evidence and get advice

Keeping details such as the date, place, and what happened helps organisations that assist assess and advise better, and getting advice early is a good idea.

Knowing your rights is power

Knowing your rights is an important tool that helps protect you.

Knowing brings confidence

When you know your rights, you can access services, refuse unfair treatment, and talk with providers more confidently.

Share the knowledge

Passing on knowledge of rights and the facts about HIV helps build a society that is more understanding and fair to people with HIV, and everyone can help.

Rights are for everyone

These rights belong to everyone with HIV, whatever their gender, age, or background, and understanding that you have rights is the first step to being treated equally.

In summary

People with HIV in Thailand have important protected rights — the right to access treatment provided free, the right to voluntary testing with consent, the right to confidentiality, the right not to be discriminated against, and the right to dignified care.

Knowing and understanding these rights helps you access services with confidence and be treated fairly. If your rights are violated, there are organisations and networks ready to help, and no one has to face it alone.

If you want to test for HIV, start treatment, or talk about care, find and book a clinic at Love2Test.