I guess the above is one of those 'lost in translation' moments.

When I saw the headline here..
http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/half-t ... e-diabetes
I thought, Good grief, it can't possibly be that bad, can it.
&, of course, the answer is: No it is not.
The headline should, more accurately, read

Half the Thais who have diabetes do not know they have it

The one thing of interest I did read in the article though was this...

A recent survey shows that 30 percent of Thai men and 40 women of Thai women are overweight hence putting them at risk of becoming obese.

That does strike me as a very high number. I do know that when I first came to Udon the chances of seeing an over weight Thai were minimal. Now it happens quite frequently - sadly especially in the children group, But 40% over weight still seems mighty high to me...

Mrs Dero's mother falls into the category of knowing she has it (mild) and it's under control so leads quite a normal life style. Quite fit and, what I would consider, to be of normal weight for her age.

Our local clinic Doctor is very switched on knowing families with history (and not only diabetes) as a consequence Mrs Dero and her siblings have annual blood tests. I guess it's one of the benefits of living in a village environment where the local medical facility knows everyone.

Mother in law has/had it and she said she is now cured (WTF?) Well she is a local and not of very high intelligence. When she was diagnosed she was given one syringe along with her medicine. And by the way she is a 'lardy'. She cannot treat it with insulin due to the price of it here. Personally the two types of insulin I use are extortionate here and I still make the pilgimage, (rightly or wrongly and I know there are arguments about this) to the UK to get mine.

It is not only the insulin that is expensive. Also the Metformin used for Diabetes Type II. Community treatment often consists of measures like biking then.

Metformine pills only 3 b. each not that expensive in Thailand.

All the diabetic Thai's I know get all their meds for free.

Metformine pills are not the only medication available for type 2 diabetes, a lot of people have reactions to Metformine, headaches, dizziness and stomach ulcers to name a few, if you do then you could be prescribed Januvia together with Gitazone-forte, Januva is very expensive, about 3,000 thb per month. It's no wonder diabetes is a problem in Thailand, they put sugar in massive amounts into everything, when you request no sugar at a restaurant they still don't understand and put it in thinking 'Mai Alloy'.