Annex 1.

Some intellectuals divided the humanity in four major societies or groups which are: the tribal, the agrarian, the industrial and the post-industrial.

Although these divisions are never totally clear, they can be considered as a appropriate and quite operational sociologic tool which helps the project to enter into topics closely connected with HIV/AIDS prevention, such as sexuality, marital status, morality, intra-familial relations, authority etc.

For the purpose of the project, it must be mentioned that these four sociologic groups are well present in Thailand .

Here enclosed a brief summary about the main specificities of the four sociologic groups.

- Tribal groups:

• Proportionally the most HIV affected group in Thailand .
• Usually living in quite isolated rural and mountainous areas.
• Large family structure including all generations and servants in the same house. Polygamy is not rare and concubines can be officially included in family clan.
• Fecundity and family structure are still the main "social security" guaranty.
• Sex verbalization is low but with low puritan constraints.
• Sex marginalities are not structured.
• No or low privacy in social and family life. Secrets are difficult to be protected.
• Religious believes are important but not very influent in sexual life.
• High mobility of members inside and outside the tribe.

- Agrarian groups:

• The biggest group in Thailand , mainly living in rural areas and in little towns.
• Families include all generations in the same house.
• Fecundity and family are still considered as the main and best "social security" guaranty.
• Sex verbalization is low and puritan constraints are common.
• Sex marginalities are not structured.
• Low privacy in social and family life. Secrets are difficult to be protected.
• Religion is important and influent in both sexual and ethical fields.
• Highly concern with multi level hierarchy and sophisticated politeness protocols which induce a systematic use of "social mask" to preserve social order.

- Industrial groups:

• The most growing group in Thailand , mainly living in urban areas
• "Nuclear families". Just a few kids. Grandparents are usually not living in the same house.
• Employer, assurance or government are the main "social security" guaranty.
• Sex verbalization is low and puritan constraints are the strongest.
• Sex marginalities are becoming structured, but generally hided and stigmatized.
• High level of privacy in social and family life.
• Superficial concern with religious and ethic arguments concerning sex.
• Systematic use of "social mask" to preserve social order.
• Good instruction level and good receptivity to information.

- Post-industrial groups:

• The smallest group, living in big urban or international tourist area, often issued from rich layers of the society.
• Very low fecundity, celibacy is common.
• Many different "family" models with or without many generations in the same house.
• Sex verbalization is high. Low concern for puritan considerations.
• Sex marginalities are openly structured.
• High level of privacy in daily life.
• High level of information.
• Low concern with religious or ethic arguments which can even be contra-productive; but more concern with "new international culture".

For more details on this complex and specialized subject, interested readers can refer to the books of sociologists such as Toffler (US) or Brockmoller (German).