AIDS in southern Thailand: stories of krengjai and social connections

HIV-disease in southern Thailand has reached epidemic proportions. The decl ining Thai economy, coupled with social discrimination among people with th e disease, has adversely affected individual, family and community krengjai . Among Thai's, krengjai is used to describe social order, avoid personal c onflict, and maintain harmony in relationships. Using the framework of stor y, this narrative study explores the experiences of five individuals with H IV-disease and their tenuous relationship with krengjai.