Test 2

Please select your preferred language.

請選擇你慣用的語言。

请选择你惯用的语言。

English
中文简体
台灣繁體
香港繁體

登入

记住我

初到 Fridae?

Fridae Mobile

Advertisement
Highlights

More About Us

新闻&特写

« 较新的 | 较旧的 »
29 Nov 2007

a wake-up call for insurance business in thailand

A prominent gay activist in Bangkok who complained earlier this month that his application to purchase a term insurance policy was rejected solely because of his sexual orientation wants the company to categorically confirm that it does not discriminate against gays. Fridae's Bangkok correspodent Vitaya S. reports.

Earlier this month American International Assurance (Thailand), which controls the largest market share of 50 percent in the Thai insurance industry, made headlines when a gay man was reportedly refused coverage before he had even made an application.

Natee Teerarojjanpongs, president of the Sexual Diversity Group and the Gay Political Group of Thailand and AIA's spokesman, Sutti Rajitrangson appeared on one of the country's most watched talk shows to debate the case.
Natee Teerarojjanpongs, president of the Sexual Diversity Group and the Gay Political Group of Thailand, said that the company - a subsidiary of global insurance giant AIG - had refused to let him apply for a term insurance policy solely because he is gay.

The 51-year-old long-time gay rights advocate, who had once run for a seat on the Senate, told Fridae that he was having dinner one October evening with his friend Pachara Pipatwong, a senior AIA sales agent, when the two discussed the purchase of a 15-year protection policy from AIA.

Suspecting that Natee's openly gay status might hinder his eligibility to do so, he made a phone call to his headquarters over dinner and was told that his company "had a policy" to not take up gay and transgender customers.

"I was totally shocked and embarrassed. But I kept having dinner with my friend. I was trying to compose myself. When I got back, I just came to realise how this happened to me. I could not believe I was facing discrimination myself," Natee said.

Shortly after, Natee contacted his network of activists and media friends to make a case. On one of the country's most watched TV talk shows, he appeared alongside AIA's spokesman, Sutti Rajitrangson, senior vice president for administration, to debate the case. Newspapers prominently ran the case on their front pages.

"AIA has several well-known gays as its customers. We never had a policy not to allow gays to buy our insurance," Sutti said.

According to Sutti, after the incident AIA asked a sales agent to contact Natee to send in his application for consideration.

Natee confirmed that he was contacted by AIA. But since the case had already been publicised, he decided against sending in his application.

"They told me they would consider my application as a 'special case'. I don't want to be treated like that," he said.

Instead, he wants the company to make it clear in writing and action that it does not discriminate against gays.

Speaking on behalf of the Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) secretary-general Chantra Purnariksha, Prasong Kittithamwongse, director of the OIC's examination and supervision office, said the office would try to seek a fair result, while acknowledging that insurance companies also have a right to calculate risks.

AIA's Sutti told the media that applications were decided individually since people had different "lifestyles and high risks."

"The firm gives an opportunity to all groups of people but considers each application individually, depending on risk, but not focusing on sex," he said.

Sutti added more than 5.8 million company policyholders were considered based on individual risk. Some people who are classified as high risk would face "higher higher premiums, limits in protection, restrictions on riders or even denials of their applications."

He however did not define what kind of lifestyles of gay people in the mind of AIA that were considered "high risk."

A recent Bangkok Post editorial observed: "The executives [of AIA] have walked a fine line between claiming that the company does not discriminate against homosexuals while saying that a person's 'lifestyle' could affect whether they get coverage� If the company claims all homosexuals have 'lifestyles' that make them riskier clients, then executives must explain exactly what they are talking about."

"If it claims, for instance, that homosexuals are more promiscuous than straight people and thus more susceptible to terminal illnesses like Aids - which is certainly the implication when executives start linking homosexuality to 'lifestyle' issues - then they must base this on some legitimate fact-based research."

Quoting a 2005 report by the Disease Control Department, the Nov 7 editorial farther highlighted that married women (via their husbands) are twice as likely as MSM (men who had sex with men) to become infected with HIV in Thailand.

The media coverage continued when AIA told the press that Natee once had a policy with AIA from May 1987 and he surrendered in October 1999 as Natee had refused to have medical check-up. He was paid the surrender value accordingly.

When asked, Natee said that he did not agree to the medical for personal reasons he prefers not to reveal. He added that he was not openly gay and neither was it an issue when he purchased the policy at the time.

"Twenty years ago, not many knew I was gay. But when I'm out and open, I am denied insurance? What is this all about? This clearly sends a signal that if you want to have an insurance policy, you need to hide and live a lie," Natee said.

"If I were HIV positive, there would have been more flexibility for me to go against discrimination than this," said Natee, who is a veteran activist for AIDs prevention. He says he is HIV negative.

Among the gay community, many gay men have unofficially been informed for years that AIA is not "gay-friendly," according to older gay men this writer had spoken to.

In 2001, Somsak Chalachon, the openly gay owner of a well-known hair salon chain, alleged that AIA denied him coverage even after he passed a medical exam simply because he was gay. Despite being publicised in the media, the case was not pursued as he turned to another insurance company.

The Bangkok Postnoted that AIA responded by saying it could not "disclose 'personal client information' (even to the client, apparently) and said it denied coverage for 'high-risk lifestyles.'"

As Thailand is setting up a number of mechanisms for the promotion and protection of human rights, Natee says he is ready to take the case to the Administration Court.

Natee says he has the support of many prominent senators but not from the gay community as many considers him to be loud, outspoken and aggressive, favouring compromise and the non-confrontational approach.

"I know there are many gay people who disagree with what I'm doing. But when people encounter discrimination, they have choices. Keep quiet, live their lives. Or stand up for their rights. I have made a lot of phone calls to gay people I know for support, they just don't take this case seriously. It's not my personal fight anymore, but it affects all of us," said Natee.

Natee wants AIA to send letters to its agents nationwide to confirm that it does not discriminate against gays and publicly apologise for accusing him of providing false information.

The Bangkok Post could not have said it better: "Each time a company like AIA, Novotel or any other takes a clear stand against discrimination of any kind, society as a whole will benefit."

读者回应

1. 2007-11-29 18:48  
Hohoho.

1 insurance company for me to boycott. I'm glad I never bought anything from them. Down with AIA.
2. 2007-11-29 18:50  
It's easy. If the insured person got infected with HIV then the policy will be void. There should be a good clause on it. Straight or gays, many men are promiscous.But It should be fair, that it must be investigated where ones got the HIV from.

Many faithful spouses/partners got HIV from their promiscous spouses/partners, in this case the insurance policy should be valid if those partners or spouses are the victims of their unfaithful and reckless partners.

Getting HIV from reckless unsafe sex or lifestyles should be considered as act of suicide, I think many insurance don't cover suicide cause.

Denying insurance coverage to gays is discriminatory in nature and no common sense to justify it just by sexual orientation.

3. 2007-11-29 18:54  
If they discrimate against us, we dun support or give them sales

In addition, scold, bitch and complain those arse holes
4. 2007-11-29 19:50  
they 2 so old n skinny....let them FIGHT loh. see who win lah.
5. 2007-11-29 23:41  
The authors should publish the names of the insurance companies that DID provide insurance cover.
回应#6於被作者删除。
7. 2007-11-30 02:57  
hahaha first time in the history of gays, I ever hear an insurance company discriminating towards gays. Surprisingly this happens in Bangkok, the gay capital of Asia and not Singapore, Malaysia or elsewhere..... This closes the chapter on our illustrious, colorful and remarkably contrasting but complicated gay history.
8. 2007-11-30 03:42  
Mica, you are naive: insurance has been a big issue for HIV+ people for a long time. AIDS groups are putting pressure all the time to have reasonable policies, but this is a recurring struggle. What I say is at least for Europe, and probably North America.
9. 2007-11-30 08:23  
morning, topics i dont really like ... but think should be discussed ... insurance (various forms), financial & retirement planning, housing ... and such ... revelant to the everyday gay and lesbian (asia's context) ... ... impartial, balanced and not too commercial please ...
10. 2007-11-30 11:33  
As an agent for AIA let me assure you they do discriminate and are very homophobic with there internal jokes / humor / etc.
11. 2007-11-30 15:30  
Many people, gay men and women included, underestimate the value or the worth of the pink dollar. If the homosexuals of the world cover some 5% of the global population, can one calculate as to how much this is worth in terms of tourism dollars - gays in general travel a lot more for leisure, after all, as compared to their 'straight' counterparts; the retail industry and car trade - just to name a few.

If businesses choose to reject our money, so be it. That's a good 5% of the world whose hard-earned/easily-spent cash that they are refusing. Obviously, AIA, being an international conglomerate has weighed the pros and cons, long before any of us even began to think of this issue.

I say, 'To hell with organisations like these'.

They won't cover you? So what?! Get another company. There is no need for histrionics, protests or press conferences. What public boycott? How many of us here are able to garner the public's eyes and ears for support? Ignore the organisations that choose to discriminate against us. Don't even bother acknowledging their entire existence. Give your money to people who are happy to take it. Fight the fights that are worth fighting. And there many more important things, than one bigoted insurance company, worth fighting for.
12. 2007-11-30 16:00  
Drelin,

I am not naive..You misunderstood my words entirely. I am saying that the insurance agency is plainly discriminating against 'Gay' people and not 'HIV+' people ! This seriously makes a world of difference.

Are u telling me that all gays are HIV+ or will end up being HIV+ ?? There are also straight men who are HIV+ too...

The insurance agency in Thailand plainly discriminates on the basis of sex orientation which I think is not right. It just doesnt make sense cause if the agency wants to protect themselves, they could include a clause in their contract 'indicating that HIV or related sexual diseases are not covered by the insurance.' This happens in Singapore and elsewhere. Issue about sexual orientation has never been a crucial determining factor unless the person identified himself to be gay and HIV+.
13. 2007-11-30 16:10  
I'm one of the customers of AIA here in Thailand. Having reading this article, I have to think again if I had chosen the right insurance company or not... Do they see their customers as sampling rats!?!?
14. 2007-11-30 17:16  
natee is right to persue the case .
but we should give our money to companies that like all humans and not to those who discriminate
i was refused credit as i am HIV+ and do not hide the fact . after protest they gave me insurence 1/7 of the loan that means they consider me dead in 7 years ( that was 10 years ago ) in france . all insurences consider gay as risk and HIV+ as dead .
this must change .john sharp
回应#15於被作者删除。
回应#16於被作者删除。
回应#17於被作者删除。
回应#18於被作者删除。
回应#19於被作者删除。
回应#20於被作者删除。
21. 2007-11-30 17:43  
Oh Pleaseeeee Post #10 ennui78. Stop talking about pink dollars. It is so embarassing. It only constitute 0.0000000000000000001 % of the economy.What sort of underestimation are we talking about ?.

Besides, pink dollars are just too sleazy. Large amounts are spent on things unworthy, such as poisoning young gay minds. Dont believe, ask AFA to release to release how much of their donation come from the gay community. Besides, look at all the ads in the gay portal, more than 90% are about sleaze.

Are we nothing but sleaze ???
22. 2007-11-30 19:36  
Believe it or not, if you open declare yourself as a homosexual in Singapore and in MOST parts of the world to your insurance company, you will NOT be insured.

This is not just in the case of AIA Thailand, this occurs in ALL insurance companies more. However no one is stupid enough here to say NO to earning some money. Point it, dont' ask don't tell, if you want to kick up a fuss and go on strike or suchlike, you're just "killing" yourself.

As for suicide and HIV; all policies in Singapore have an exclusion clause for HIV. So even if you're clean when you sign the policy contract, it says that if you've got HIV (not occupationally acquired), your policy is void. Suicide is covered ONE year after the commencement of the insurance contract.

(I sell insurance. I know. :P)
23. 2007-12-01 00:49  
i tin it could be due to the mistake of e agent nt company.We cant shift responsibillity to e company just becoz of wad agent did.Those people nt involve should nt just merely listen to news or rumours,it cld be more we as outsiders do not know.good things abt e company usually ppl wont publicise to make good comments but bad things we always see it being commented everywhere.This is only a small issue not as though related to claim so i dont see it y company have to make known to e world.Just get the agent to sort out w party involved internally.like funkiichile said its occurs in ALL insurance company in the world
24. 2007-12-04 23:01  
it's rediculous.....appreciate the action taken by nattee, now the local/international people know the treatment of this insurance company to it's future policy holder..tsk tsk....descrimination is everywhere...
25. 2010-10-30 12:39  
hi all, i think it's time that you gays start to understand about HIV and AIDS. AIDS is just an illnesses definition and not a disease. it's a list of symptom. and mind you, all those illnesses can also be contracted by normal people, example TB or CMV.I sincerely hope that everyone will start to watch "House Of Numbers", a documentary that is thought provoking and makes us think what really is HIV+ diagnosis means and the background machine tests that are being done to get that diagnosis....and those drugs taht are being given to patients...it is killing the body's immune system, not building it up.

if you like reading, please do read a book by Janine Roberts called "Fear Of The Invisisble". written by an investigative journalist.

请先登入再使用此功能。

Social


This article was recently read by

请选择新闻及专栏版本

精选个人档案

Now ALL members can view unlimited profiles!

Languages

View this page in a different language:

赞好

合作伙伴

 ILGA Asia - Fridae partner for LGBT rights in Asia IGLHRC - Fridae Partner for LGBT rights in Asia

Advertisement