Owners who fail to provide them through vending machines or on demand face a maximum fine of 30,000 Taiwan dollars (900 US), according to the proposal which is to be put before parliament.

A survey by Taipei's National Yang Ming University found that some 6.4 percent of gay sauna patrons were HIV carriers and only 40 percent of the customers used condoms when having sex with partners there.

Saunas, for both relaxation and furtive sexual activity, are widespread across Taiwan with some known as gay meeting places in a still conservative society that frowns on same-sex relationships.

The government's move was meant to curb the spread of the fatal disease which has killed 920 Taiwanese out of 5,283 recorded HIV carriers by the end of January. The number of carriers represents a 19 percent rise from a year ago.

TERRA.WIRE