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By the beginning of 1990 the HIV/AIDS epidemic began to have a serious impact on the Thai society. It was then that a Thai Delegation invited Father Giovanni Contarin to study the matter and determine a way to help with this modern affliction in the spirit of St. Camillus.

Of the proposals brought to the Delegation, only one was accepted by the Counselors; rent a three story building in the area of the Bamraat Naradun National Hospital for Communicable Diseases. This would become a collaborative effort with the Hospital to provide counseling and temporary shelter.

The project was initiated on July 14^th,1993 on the nearby Soi Rawadi 24. The initial objective of the project was to focus on providing training and communication on HIV/AIDS within the area. We began our efforts by taking on several HIV+ individuals as permanent training staff and immediately began to conduct AIDS prevention activities and training in the local factories.

Unfortunately a number of influential people within the community were severely opposed to the project and its location within their neighborhood. A number of violent attacks, including bomb attacks, were staged against the center. In order to ensure the safety of the patients and staff and to ensure the continued operation of the Center, we were forced to relocate to Rayong Province after only three years. Rayong Province is located about three hours drive Southeast of Bangkok.

Since our relocation of the project to Rayong we have been very happy and… very busy!

The St. Camillus Foundation granted Fr.Giovanni Contarin 8,000 square meters of land. This property was donated by Mrs. Rosaline in June 1976. In less than one year the new location, which began with only a small group of HIV/AIDS patients, homeless and rejected, came under the name of “The Camillian Social Center”.

The Center was opened by the General Director of communicable diseases, Dr. Damrong Bunyeun with Bishop Lorenz Tienciai also in attendance.

By July 17, 1998 we had the opportunity to commemorate the last building of the original master site plan, called the Dr. Thani Sirijon Building. Mgr. Luigi Bressan, Apostolic Nuncio, Mgr. Lorenz Thienciai, the local Bishop, Mr. Itho, USA ambassador, and Fr. Pairat Sriprasert were all honorable guests at the opening ceremony. The construction of the building was a wonderful example of cooperation between the US Navy, Thai Marines and a local volunteer work force. The spirit of solidarity and a love for the sick and needy were the driving forces that lead to completion of the project.