Texte:

"Young love birds share an intimate moment yesterday during a party for participants in the World Scout Jamboree at Haad Yao beach in Sattahip. _ JETJARAS NA RANONG Scouts from Western countries say having sex and forming relationships is common practice among participants at the 20th World Scout Jamboree in Sattahip.

They say they are well aware of the risk of sexually transmitted disease and take the necessary precautions.

Rob Rolfe, 17, from Britain, said he believed some couples were having sex somewhere in the camp even as he spoke to the Bangkok Post.

It was quite normal for young people in Britain aged 16 or more to have sexual relationships, he said.

``We don't think having sex is a serious issue, as long as we prevent transmission of sexual diseases,'' he said.

Health officials said they had handed out thousands of condoms and other contraceptive devices to foreign scouts since the jamboree started on Dec 28.

Their actions have drawn public criticism, with claims they were promoting sexual activities in the camp rather than scouting.

Noor Staelens, 16, from Belgium, said having sexual relationships with those she loved before marriage was accepted by Western culture. She understood well that Thai culture did not approve of sexual relations between unmarried young people.

Ms Staelens believed only a few couples were indulging in sex. There was nothing wrong with that, but most scouts were more interested in more productive activities.

Michael Cojer, 16, from England, said sex was a very normal thing in Western culture. Every youngster in England knew how to reduce the health risks from sex.

He was not surprised that condoms had been handed out at the jamboree camp.

Thongchai Sakarcheep,15, a scout from Bordindacha 3 school, said if foreign scouts wanted to have sexual relationships that was fine by him, but he felt it was inappropriate inside the camp. "