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Date: 1st January 1999, The Nation

THE trend towards safe sex is encouraging, but incidences of unprotected sex, especially among teenagers, are still far from disappearing.

In recent years Thais seem to have somewhat overcome their shyness to openly buy condoms at store counters. The prophylactics have become widely available in convenience stores and supermarkets, where men and women alike pick some up along with their groceries.

Health officials warn, however, that although rising numbers of unmarried partners are practising safe sex, a mere 20 per cent of teens pause to slip on the protective paraphernalia during their sexual liaisons.

Somsong Rakphao, director-general of the Communicable Disease Control Department, voiced concern that the spread of Aids and other sexually transmitted diseases was still a serious threat to the younger generation, who were the country's future.

Somsong indicated that the bad habit of shunning condoms among the young needed to be cured before the success of the safe-sex campaign could be proclaimed.

Store operators say they see a change in consumers' behaviour relating to buying condoms.

The ''really'' young still shy away from their stores while most of the condom buyers are working people in their late twenties.

7 Eleven sales clerk Pikul Kaewsura noted that an equal number of men and women were her regular patrons for protectives. The customers are workers from the Wat Dan neighbourhood, and they usually do their shopping at night.

Pikul rarely has a teenager coming into her store asking for a sheath.

''My customers are working men, many in their thirties and forties. Some women, who seem to be slightly younger than the male customers, also come in to buy condoms, but they prefer to do the night shopping.''

At the Wat Dan 7 Eleven, sales of condoms rise as the night deepens. The store dispenses 10 to 15 packets after 10 pm, compared to six or seven earlier in the evening.

Kittiporn Charoensap, a clerk at a Family Mart convenience store near a university, indicated that young women had now become steady customers for condoms.

''Today's teenage women seem to consider buying condoms routine,'' Kittiporn remarked.

Two young women walked into the store as Kittiporn was talking to The Nation. They asked straight-faced for a certain brand of condom but settled for another after being told that their favourite was sold out.

''I always have one ready before going clubbing,'' one of the girls said.

BY WASSANA ARUNROTE and

AREE MOLTICHARCHARD

The Nation