Mplus Foundation Stop Stig Chiang Mai

September 10

Mplus Foundation, ThaiHealth, and Partners Build on ‘Stop Stig Chiang Mai’ Success with Major ‘Power of Partnership’ Seminar Toward a Stigma-Free Thailand Chiang Mai – Mplus Foundation, in collaboration with the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) and leading network partners, is set to hold a national seminar titled “The Power of Partnership: From Stop Stig Chiang Mai’s Lessons to Stop Stigma Thailand” on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM at the Vintree City Resort in Chiang Mai. The event aims to distill the lessons from Chiang Mai’s successful stigma-reduction project and present a “model package of services and activities,” while mobilizing cooperation from all sectors to implement these practices nationwide, ultimately aiming to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. This seminar builds on the success of the “Stop Stig” project – formally known as the “Project to Reduce Stigma and Discrimination against People Living with HIV and Affected Populations” – which Mplus Foundation and ThaiHealth initiated and implemented in Chiang Mai from 2023 to 2025. The project yielded concrete, widely recognized outcomes. The seminar will serve as a platform to share the knowledge and social innovations developed during the project, ready to be scaled up to drive public policy toward making Thailand a truly stigma-free society. “Over the past two years of the Stop Stig project in Chiang Mai, we have witnessed remarkable changes at the individual, community, and healthcare-service levels. We have developed a ‘model package of services and activities’ that has been proven effective in reducing prejudice and building understanding. This seminar is about sharing the lessons and tools we have created, and inviting partners nationwide to come together to spark widespread change. Ending stigma is not the responsibility of any one person—it requires the ‘power of partnership’ from all of us,” said Pongpeera Pathpirapong, director of the Mplus Foundation. Distinguished Speakers and Guests Distinguished senior executives and experts from leading organizations will share their perspectives and policy directions at the event. Speakers will include Dr. Atchara Pakkdeepinit, Specialist Psychologist and Head of the Psychosocial Care System Development Division at the Department of Disease Control; Ms. Jintana Santawamet, Director of the National Health Security Office Region 1 (Chiang Mai); and Dr. Kittipan Chalam, Chairman of the Stop Stig Implementation Committee and Assistant Provincial Public Health Doctor of Chiang Mai. Key Highlights of the Event Keynote Lecture – “Power of Partnership to End Stigma”: Dr. Waranyu Chanongprasatporn, Chiang Mai Provincial Public Health Director. Presentation of the “Model Package of Services and Activities” (Intervention Model): Decoding the success of the Stop Stig Chiang Mai project into approaches ready for practical application. Panel Discussion – “Voices of Change-makers”: Inspirational stories from healthcare professionals, people living with HIV, and volunteer leaders. Breakout Sessions: Bringing together experts from four fields (healthcare systems, community, policy, communication) to co-design a plan for national-scale implementation. Chiang Mai Commitment Declaration: A collective show of commitment by all sectors to advance policy proposals and continue efforts toward a stigma-free Thailand. In addition, the seminar will feature an engaging “Living Exhibition.” Highlights include a Photo Story Exhibition with photographs narrating personal experiences to foster understanding; a Digital Storytelling Corner presenting short videos from project participants; and a Pledge Wall where attendees can write their personal commitments to the cause. Moving Toward a Stigma-Free Society The “Power of Partnership” seminar represents a significant step in transitioning from local success to establishing a new national standard for ending HIV-related stigma and discrimination. It aims to ensure that everyone in society can access healthcare services equally and enjoy a good quality of life. Press Invitation Media representatives are invited to cover the event on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, starting at 8:30 AM at the Vintree City Resort, Chiang Mai. A dedicated press corner will be set up for interviews with organizers and panelists from various organizations. About Mplus Foundation Mplus Foundation is a non-profit organization working to promote sexual well-being, prevent HIV, and advocate for the human rights of sexual minorities and vulnerable populations in Northern Thailand. About Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) The Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) is a government agency that aims to spark, stimulate, connect, and empower individuals and organizations across all sectors to build health promotion capacity, so that Thai people enjoy good health in all four dimensions.