APCOM Foundation is deeply honored to receive the Ardhanareeswara Award from the Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand (RSAT) for the second year, in 2022 and 2025. This continued recognition reflects the sustained impact of APCOM’s work in advancing equality, dignity, and well-being for LGBTQI communities in Thailand.
The Ardhanareeswara Award is one of Thailand’s most respected honours, recognising individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to promoting LGBTQI rights, social inclusion, and human rights. Receiving this award in consecutive years affirms APCOM’s long-term commitment to community-led solutions and inclusive approaches to health and rights.
This recognition particularly highlights the impact of TestBKK, APCOM’s flagship HIV prevention and sexual health initiative for gay men, bisexual men, men who have sex with men (MSM), and LGBTQI youth. TestBKK has transformed the way LGBTQI communities access sexual health information through innovative, relatable, and youth-friendly communication tools.
Examples of TestBKK’s effective communication strategies include short-form educational content on social media platforms, visually engaging infographics that simplify complex health information, and interactive digital campaigns that encourage HIV testing and regular health check-ups. The use of inclusive language, community ambassadors, and peer-led storytelling has helped TestBKK build trust, reduce stigma, and effectively reach young LGBTQI audiences where they are most active—online.
Sustained funding support is essential to the success of HIV prevention initiatives like TestBKK. Funding enables APCOM to develop impactful communication campaigns, expand digital outreach, strengthen community-led engagement, and ensure that accurate, stigma-free sexual health information reaches those who need it most. Supporting projects like TestBKK is one of the critical approaches to Ending AIDS, as it promotes early testing, HIV prevention, informed health choices, and timely linkage to services within key and priority populations. Investments in such community-led initiatives directly contribute to national and global efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat.
Receiving the Ardhanareeswara Award for two times reinforces the importance of amplifying LGBTQI voices, strengthening digital and community-driven outreach, and ensuring that sexual health services remain inclusive, accessible, and equitable. APCOM Foundation extends its heartfelt appreciation to RSAT, our funding partners, donors, community ambassadors, and the diverse LGBTQI individuals whose trust and resilience continue to inspire the success of TestBKK.
As APCOM moves forward, we remain committed to expanding the reach and impact of TestBKK and to working towards a future where every LGBTQI person can live with pride, good health, and equal rights.
APCOM Receives Thailand LGBTQI Award for LGBTQI health and human rights promotion: Ardhanareeswara Award 2022
The 4th Ardhanareeswara Award was held at the Ministry of Justice on 14 December 2022. The ceremony is organized annually by Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand together with Thai LGBTQI coalitions, private and public sectors, which aims to recognize gender diversity champions and supporters at national and international levels.
APCOM was selected to receive the Award for organization that successfully promotes and works on LGBTQI health and human rights.
On behalf of APCOM, Wattana Keiangpa and APCOM’s Management team joined and gave a speech at the event.
