"Today's teenagers know as much about sex as their parents, but they also try to hide what they know from their parents," she says.

The kids feel they have to keep up an innocent front, so when they want to know more, they go to some dubious sources - especially their friends, the often-baffling Internet and raunchy comic books.

The result is an increasing number of teen pregnancies and a lot of premature sex.

So the government and Schering, a manufacturer of oral contraceptives, have begun circulating the correct information with a project called "Learn to Love".

Roadshows have been making the rounds of 10 schools since early this month in a pilot project, and more are planned for next year.

"We approach the subject in a different way," says Amporn. "We don't tell teenagers what to do - we give them advice."

Thai children, she frets, are more prone to be led astray because they're not trained to think independently. They'll take their cues from the crowd, the popular media and often celebrities who might not be the ideal role models.

Cause for consternation is teenage girls copying singers and actresses who show a lot of skin. If a popular star wears spaghetti-strap tops, young girls follow suit, despite such exposure being widely frowned upon in Thailand.

Males often react by regarding them as sex objects, Amporn says.

"In Western culture there's more emphasis on sex education, so even if there are sexy stars wearing next to nothing, they don't feel compelled to start dressing sexily like them," she says.

On a more subtle level are teenage misconceptions about sex itself.

"Girls think that, to show they love their boyfriend, they have to agree to have sex, and boys think they attain power by having sex," Amporn says.

Amporn stresses that Learn to Love doesn't deal strictly with sex, it also addresses relationships.

The project has several segments: Learn to Post coaches teens about interacting safely on the Internet. Too often the photos they upload are misused by others who have access to them.

Learn to Dress is about looking attractive without baring too much. Learn to Date and Drink covers places to have fun but safe dates and what types of drinks are suitable for young people.

"There are inappropriate places to go on a date, like your boyfriend's house or anyplace dark, even the movies," Amporn says.

Amporn also worries about teenagers who are unable to manage their emotions, so Learn About Your Heart & Health has medical professionals offering advice.

There are psychiatrists from the Mental Health Department, a dermatologist from Samitivej Hospital and a pharmacist from Schering to provide consultation.

The project will end with a talk show called "Know Teen Love", at which teens can fire away with their most burning questions about love and relationships and get answers and advice from both medical experts by some top celebrities.

Radio station FM Max 88.5, teen magazines and iTV are helping disseminate the same good guidance as part of the project.

A teen's guide - addressing most of the pertinent issues - is available for free at Mental Health Centre 13.

For a copy, call the centre at (02) 951 1359-60 or Schering at (02) 984 4222.

Lisnaree Vichitsorasatra

The Nation