3,000 Thai teenagers suffer from sexually transmitted diseases annually,

3,000 Thai teenagers suffer from sexually transmitted diseases annually, a three-fold increase in five years, and gonorrhea and venereal ulcers are the most common infections, the health ministry reported on Thursday.

Dr Manit Theeratantikanont, director-general of the Disease Control Department, said STDs were spreading among Thai teenagers at an appalling rate.

The incidence of infection had risen three-fold in the past five years, from 1,000 patients to 3,000 a year.

The most common diseases were gonorrhea and chancroids, followed by venereal warts and HIV/Aids.

More young men suffer from such diseases than females, he said.

The concern is that more youngsters in the 14-15 age group are getting STDs, he said.

Young people are starting to have sex as young as 12 years of age, and most sexual liaisons occur among friends.

"Teenagers try to have sex so quickly because they have easier access to entertainment venues.

"There are many entertainment venues in areas where there are schools. Besides, people in this age range have little knowledge of ways to protect themselves from STDs.

"The Disease Control Department must try harder to educate teenagers about sex and the dangers of STDs," Dr Manit said.

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