Following a controversial US study, which revealed the sharp increase in the HIV infection rate among Thai gay men, local experts are launching a local study to check the study's findings, reported The Nation newspaper.

Based on the findings of the recent study conducted solely by the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in Bangkok, Dr Nafis Sadik, special envoy to the UN secretary-general for HIV/Aids in Asia, told reporters the HIV infection rate among Thai gay men was alarming, as it had risen from 4 per cent 10 years ago to 17 per cent now.

Globally, the average infection rate among men who have sex with other men is between 4 and 5 per cent, according to the Thai Disease Control Department (DCD).

The research suggested that the HIV-infection rate among Thai gay men has soared more than fourfold over the past decade, making it the highest rate among gay communities in the world.

Some local officials have, however, criticised the study saying that it was based on a sampling that was not representative of Thailand's gay community, as it focused on men who frequented gay saunas and cruising parks in the capital.

Dr Charal Trinwuthipong, director of the Disease Control Department said the project which still being drafted will be proposed to the country's main research institutions.

Dr Charal said the new year-long research would be funded by the US$911,542 (Bt36.3 million) grant recently allocated by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria for the purpose of improving treatment and care to HIV-infected people in the country.

More precise data from the study will be helpful in dealing with HIV problems among the gay community, Charal added.

According to Dr Peter Piot, director-general of UNAIDS, there are around 600,000 people infected with HIV in Thailand.