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University can be quite stressful. Long classes and strict professors assigning hectic work loads. When you're not in a classroom or the canteen, you probably head to the most popular sanctuary on campus. It is not the library we're talking about. But where then, you ask. Why, of course, the restroom! The restroom is the hippest place for students to hang out these days. Aside from circulating out your last meal, people head to the stalls for plenty other reasons. Girls fix their makeup and hair, while guys 'shoot the bull' about the hottest new freshman girls as they comb their hair---all in the sanctity (nevermind the rancid smell) of a private and safe environment. The restroom offers a chance for students and faculty to freshen up and forget our troubles and shyness. Whether it's just to check yourself in the mirror, a quick breather, some soap, water, or tissue, you can find it all in the restroom. And now, many University restrooms will offer an additional convenience: Condom vending machines. Many of you might be asking, 'what's the big deal?' Condom vending machines are almost everywhere these days. Whether in the restrooms of shopping malls, hotels, restaurants, or gas stations, they're just as common as the tissue vendors. The controversial decision last month by the Ministry of Public Health proposing all post-secondary education institutions to install condom vending machines in restrooms was warmly accepted by the Ministry of Education. It wasn't the first attempt of its kind. Back in 2003, after their initial proposal, the Ministry of Public Health met fierce opposition from the Ministry of Education, Academic authorities, and most surprisingly, students themselves! In November of 2003, Thai student protesters made headlines around the world speaking out against placing condom vending machines at school. They made the point that condoms are already easily available at convenient stores, so there is no need to provide them in schools. 'It will mislead students to think that teachers approve of sex.' Said Vitoon Chomchaipol, a key representative of the Students Union Network. From the conservative's point of view, education should be strictly for academics, and social issues such as sex, should be kept away from school. They believe that if the government supports having condoms easily accessible on campus, then it's another way of supporting/promoting casual sex among students. The liberal view is schools should have a bigger role in promoting sexual education. They disagree that condom vending machines promote casual sex. "Those who buy condoms are already having sex, not buying condoms to try sex for the first time" said Chokechai, a second year engineering student at Kasetsart University . One major argument is even though condoms are available elsewhere, many Thai students are too shy to openly buy them over the counter. By providing easy and private access in a campus restroom, many more youth can acquire the means for practicing safe sex. Stephanie, a Thai-Filipina third year student at Chulalongkorn University sees both sides. She agrees that having easier access to condoms, like in a University bathroom, will provide the chance to engage in protective sex when the will to have sex is already there. However, she also thinks that having less access might be more beneficial for those who aren't sexually active but considering. "If condoms were made trendy and easily available, like in your face, it could be just another temptation and incentive to have sex." She said. No matter what side of the coin you agree with most, it's important that we aren't blinded to reality. "People who oppose the plan must try to see the gravity of the HIV/AIDS situation in the country." stated Education Minister, Chaturon Chaisaeng. Recent studies show that 100 % of male and 50 % of female vocational students had already engaged in sex while only 11% and 15% respectively used condoms. A majority of the newest HIV/AIDS patients are in the age group of 15-18 years old, where more than 80 percent of such infections were due to unprotected sex.
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