Sex tourism
Thailand is hospitable country. Millions of tourists visit this pearl in Southeast Asia every year. Most of the tourists come for the friendly people, the rich culture, the delicious Thai cuisine and the tropical beaches.
However, Thailand also has a great attraction for another group of tourists. Men (but also women) from all age groups who come for cheap sex. After all, the offer in Thailand is large and varied. This way you can even 'hire' a lady who will guide you during your holiday as your girlfriend. This concept is called a GFE, or the 'Girl Friend Experience' :(www.thailandblog.nl/thailand/thaise-vrouw-huren-during-holiday/).
Prostitution in Thailand
The attitude of Thai towards paid sex is rather ambivalent. Officially, prostitution has been banned in Thailand since the 60s and is therefore illegal. However, the sex industry is thriving. Establishments offering sexual services look like bars, restaurants, hotels, karaoke bars or massage parlors. The local authorities are bribed and turn a blind eye.
Although the visible prostitution in Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket is quite extensive, it is not the sex tourists but the Thai themselves who have a double agenda. Thai think rather broadly about (paid) sex. There are less inhibitions to go to a prostitute than in the west. Polygamy was common even at the Siamese court. Noblemen, businessmen and high officials openly flaunted the number of mistresses (Mia Noi). The Thai men with less status had to content themselves with the services of prostitutes.
Old customs don't just disappear. Many prominent politicians and businessmen in Thailand still have mistresses. The majority of sexually active men regularly visit brothels. Thai men usually have their first sexual experiences with a prostitute.
Extent of sex tourism
Westerners are often blamed for Thailand's huge sex industry. That is a persistent misunderstanding. Just like the idea (and many Thai like to claim) that prostitution started during the Vietnam War to entertain American soldiers. Prostitution aimed at Western sex tourists is even relatively small (at most 5%). The other 95% of the sex industry in Thailand focuses on Asians and Thai men.
A study by Dr. Nitet Tinnakul of Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok in 2003 (Source: The Nation 2004) found that Thailand had an average of 1999 million sex workers between 2002 and 2,8 (out of a population of 64,3 million, that is 4,4%). Based on the high number of 60.000 sex opportunities, Tinnakul suspects that there are many more prostitutes, partly because larger massage houses and karaoke bars often employ more than 100 women.
Shadow side
Going back to the statement about sex tourists, you could conclude, if it only concerns about 5% of the total size, then what is the concern? Yet there is indeed a dark side to this type of tourism. Examples of this are the excesses that sex tourism entails, such as:
- attraction to criminals;
- drug use;
- increase in robberies, assaults and sexual violence, among other things;
- exploitation of sex workers;
- health problems such as HIV and other STDs;
Image problem
Another problem is the image of Thailand, which is often dismissed by outsiders as a kind of 'Sodom and Gomorrah'. Frequent Thailand visitors and expats are often confronted with the persistent prejudices about Thailand and that is quite annoying. This is also a difficult dilemma for the TAT. They like to see the better and wealthy tourists come. After all, they bring in more money.
What is your opinion?
Many believe that Thailand should better regulate the sex industry aimed at tourists. Something that is an almost impossible task in a country where corruption has become an art.
Nevertheless, the prostitution premises could be moved to the outskirts of the city. Permits must be revoked if abuses occur. Another alternative is to offer the sex workers better opportunities through training and higher salaries for normal work.
We would like to hear from our expert readers on the 'problem' of sex tourism in Thailand. You may disagree with the statement and believe that it is not too bad. If you do agree with the statement, we are curious about your ideas on how the Thai government should tackle this 'problem'.
Give your opinion on the statement: 'Thailand should tackle sex tourism!' Agree or disagree?
Since the Christians have labeled sex as dirty, it is a relief that people in Thailand see sex as a natural thing.
The fact that the farlang will pay for that is a nice bonus and I wish the Thais that little extra, so keep that sex industry!
There is a nice (ENGLISH) movie about this item:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWT19QPZ6KE
Toedelu.
I agree with you, why should everyone adhere to our standards and values, we will tell you, arrogant Europeans. for me they are perfect hostesses, who want to earn money just like in the Netherlands
Moderator: This comment was not posted because it does not address the statement.
This is all about short-sightedness. Where does sex tourism not even in the Netherlands and very subtle. People are talking about Thailand, what about countries like Brazil, West Africa, where Dutch women are also looking for men, etc.
My purpose of travel to Thailand was not sex but had to do with the beauty and culture of the country.
The fact that the ladies use it benefits many with whom I have had a conversation, others perhaps less so. But can talk of a good future today. I myself married a Thai and had not gone out but it happened and without regrets. everyone has its pluses and minuses. Now two beautiful children and a progressive and understanding wife.
People should now stop portraying Thailand negatively or when it suits them in their favor to talk about it
I don't think prostitution in Thailand is a problem. You have that everywhere in the world. However, Thailand is largely dependent on it. You just have to imagine if all the bars, gogos, etc. were to close. That will be the abyss for Thailand, for sure.
Like any country in the world, prostitution is income for the ladies and/or gentlemen. I think it's almost impossible to regulate in Thailand, it's too big and too much. If they were to make an attempt to ban it, it would go underground, with all its consequences. I am talking here about ordinary prostitution, not the illegal shit that sometimes occurs there, and as mentioned, the excesses.
The statement is completely correct, only a very small part that is visible is for the tourists. The other much larger percentage is for the Thai themselves. So can you check.
People who do not come to Thailand always talk about prostitution, the beautiful things, the food, the beaches, the islands, the temples, etc., but rarely pass by. So I object to that too. Many things are much better than, for example, in the Netherlands.
Kind regards Peter *Sapparot*
Prostitution in Thailand not a problem because it occurs all over the world? Then poverty, crime and stupidity should not be a problem, they also happen everywhere in the world. And if an acute prostitution virus were to shut down the entire trade, the money would simply be spent on other things and the ladies would have to work in factories. No abyss.
Moderator: the comment was not posted because it is not a response to the statement.
The only way to make prostitution disappear (to a large extent) is to offer alternatives. That means investing in and reforming education and democracy, and eradicating nepotism and corruption. But that will take a very long time.
Do you want to fight prostitution? I think so, although it doesn't bother me personally - but I don't mind it like so many people who are fascinated by the open and at first sight 'friendly' nature of the sex industry in Thailand. I have nothing against it if certain people consciously make it their profession, unfortunately it is the case in SE Asia that many are economically forced due to a lack of alternatives.
In addition, because of the (earned) stamp of cheap sex available everywhere, it attracts all kinds of sometimes criminal fringe characters that do not help anyone.
The statement is an extension of this statement: “Should Thailand address widespread rural poverty. If the government were to make a serious start with this - and not by handing out freebies, but by structural solutions and improvements - then in the longer term a lot less women will end up in prostitution.
Sex and sex tourism are part of Thailand and many people make their money from it. I don't agree with Cor's statement. Fewer women in prostitution. Keep in mind, and this is my position, that the government should keep an eye on sex tourism. Draw up certain rules for this and ensure that they are enforced. Trying to identify the non-voluntary ladies who practice this profession and offer an alternative. Not banning is just part of this world and also part of Thailand.
If you go on vacation with your wife and everyone follows her because there is no more sex, that would be nice. That women can no longer walk alone on the street and are assaulted. No, leave it like that, but as said a little more "supervision"
Ruud
Again those 2.8 million sex workers of Dr. Nitet, with which the entire Internet is polluted.. Grab a cigar box and do the math. There are 30 million women in Thailand. Then 1 in 10 women would be a sex worker anyway. The vast majority of sex workers will be in the age group of 18 to 30, that is 12 million women. Then one in four of that age group would be in prostitution? Nonsense of course. I don't understand why anyone believes these kind of numbers. That must be because there is already a prejudice that the Thailandblog only reinforces by mentioning these numbers. Use your common sense.
Pasuk Phongpaichit , Guns, Girls, Gambling, Ganja, Silkworm Books, 1998 on pages 197-200 gives an estimate of 200.000 sex workers, one tenth of whom are minors. That is a reasonable estimate. Take a zero off that 2.8 million.
I have also made a small calculation based on the earnings of the sex workers. If there were 2.8 million sex workers, all men between 0-80 years old would have to visit a prostitute once a week to give them an income of 1 baht per month. Also absurd.
@ chaliow. Wonderfully sober explanation of numbers. Indeed, the figure of 200.000 seems much more realistic.
Partly because of that "prejudice" (my personal finding of 20 years in Thailand, especially Isaan) is that it is very acceptable, especially in the poorer, but often also across all backgrounds, that "sex" is a means of payment and exchange. Nothing new.
That many families have no problem at all with a daughter temporarily or part-time doing some "odd jobs" in this area to keep the family income up to standard, (it is often expected) or that people can openly and with appropriate pride told on a birthday what daughter has a great life as mia noi.
So maybe 200.000 "real" sex workers, but possibly a multiple in the "grey" circuit.
If it's done voluntarily, I have no problem with it at all. It's a different mentality, but often the only way to survive and/or enjoy life. Unfortunately, I have seen too often the social pressure imposed by one's own environment.
You are absolutely right and we cannot repeat it often enough: most sex workers do not go voluntarily, there is enormous social pressure. This is what I heard:
"Mom, I'm not going to Pattaya anymore, it's terrible there!" “But Lek, I understand that very well, but you promised, only 2 more years and then Noi will have finished university. Do it for your mother and Noi, don't you have katanjoe (gratitude). You don't want to throw Noi and me into poverty, do you?"
What also really pisses me off are those sex tourists who extol the lives of the sex workers: “they are happy girls, who have a lot of fun, they laugh and dance and they also earn good money. "You idiots, sorry.
Our view on “prostitution” turns out to be quite different from the Asian view.
And it is not limited to Thailand only…. as mentioned 95% is for Asian customers.
If you want to tackle prostitution efficiently, provide a serious social safety net, and correct wages. So that women no longer have to join for economic reasons, but on a voluntary basis.
The result will be a reduction in the “Thai” supply, an increase in prices and therefore fewer customers. On the other hand, it will increase "imports" from neighboring countries, trafficking in women... (cf. Western Europe and imports from Eastern Europe) and especially from a criminal profit perspective. (sorry for putting it that way)
If you want to tackle prostitution, it will only be effective if ASEAN takes action... In the field of pedophilia, this seems to be successful because children are very important in the global vision of their society, on the other hand you are going against the Western vision want to impose prostitution on the Asian vision? And as a “normal” tourist in Thailand you really don't have to make an effort not to be confronted with sex tourism. On the other hand, I notice that many tourists turn a blind eye to real poverty...
Fortunately, there are initiatives from farang that drop a few drops on the hot plate on a local basis. (cf. Hua Hin)
That's a typical socialist Dutch approach… creating a social safety net. I just stick to education and job creation myself. Whether or not you are in favor of that safety net, it will still have to be paid for by workers. In any case, creating opportunities and jobs seems more constructive than asking for a social safety net.
To correct the social corner again… what are correct wages? You can raise minimum wages, but companies must be viable. You can only increase wages if you add value. So invest in education!
In the margin, I am Belgian, socially liberal for 35 years, and above all human.
Every citizen has the right, regardless of whether he works or not, to have access to basic health care equally for all. In the event of illness, a replacement income, in the event of unemployment, a replacement income that obliges him to serve society.
The employer must be responsible for this basic insurance. Beyond that, the rules of the market may apply, with rules of applied labor law between employers and trade unions. Including training, occupational medicine, etc.
If this is met, interested women, men, ladyboys or LGBs will decide for themselves to voluntarily enter the profession.
What is prostitution !!! I don't see a pro football player with an ugly wife, it's not about the money, everything is love. look in the mirror. and think!
You hit the nail on the head!! Go and have a look at the so-called neat, rich people, you rarely see an ugly (or ordinary) woman walking next to them. I'm not talking about the age difference yet. So let it be in Thailand, don't interfere.
In principle, no problem at all with prostitution, especially when things are as relaxed as in Thailand. Who has real problems with an affordable GF holiday experience. Nothing wrong with it.
Safety and health issues, of course, remain a problem.
For me, the task for the government lies mainly in ensuring a safe and healthy working environment, health care accessible to everyone, combating crime and ensuring that it is a voluntary choice. So social services, a good minimum income and employment.
Incidentally, I think that "the" tourist is more actually bothered by unreliable boat rental companies, aggressive taxi drivers, corruption and petty criminals than by the ladies of pleasure.
Many men and women come to Thailand for cheap sex, is the opinion of the
writer of this article. However, I say that the people who come to Thailand for sex
not cheap at all. Plane ticket, hotel, food, drink, make a sex trip to
Thailand more expensive than eg in Amsterdam. It is the so-called "soft sex" that people look for
Thailand draws. What could be more fun to chat and drink with a Thai beauty?
Moreover, many have found their life partner in this way.
Of course, Thailand must tackle sex tourism. Then prostitution must first be legalized, of course. Do not ban, but levy a “sex tourism tax” of 50%, deposit it into a so-called “sex fund” from which structural measures are financed to provide girls with good education and a good job. Something like a CO2 emissions tax that allows trees to be planted.
It is not just sex, but mainly looking for love and a spontaneous young woman with whom men would like to live together. That wonderful feeling called love, which they have not had for a long time from their European or American dominant woman. Having the feeling that you are still a little superior and appreciated is the most important thing for many people to go to Thailand, as it turned out after a study I did years ago. I mainly received a lot of comments that they were tired of the over-emancipated behavior, and everything but had to put up with it. For many it was an enormous relief that they had gone through with the divorce (often much too late).
Dear readers, you are supposed to respond to the statement and not explain why there is prostitution in Thailand. Off-topic comments will no longer be posted!
It's a good thing we don't dictate what "Thailand should do". If you look at the entire spectrum of opportunities and possibilities, the Thai makes his or her choices. I would like to see how many non-Thai would make a different choice under the same circumstances. Would you rather go to the factory or be bored to death in your village with a drunk, abusive husband?
Why doesn't anyone care about guys going into the army, not just in Thailand, at the risk of being shot or having to shoot others. That strikes me as worse than getting paid for sex.
In any case, the perception of paid sex (no money no honey) is deeply ingrained in Thai culture and it is a process of decades, if not centuries, to change that. Nevertheless, the Thais do not seem to me to be an unhappy people.
I think Thailand should solve its own "sex problem".
As far as the Thai, in general, already see a problem.
What the hell are we interfering in, it is NOT our business.
Our interfering with what is considered “normal” in Thailand only provokes resistance from operators and workers alike.
Just means that laws are being made that no one abides by and may only create more opportunities for kickbacks.
Let Thailand and the Thai people and government decide for themselves what their problem is and if they want to do something about it, it will happen, without or with our involvement.
Mind you, I'm not in favor of what happens so often, but I can neither stop it nor change it.
And the people who could do something about it get the wind from almost everyone and every agency that has, or could have, something to do with it.
I disagree with the statement, let ADULTS decide for themselves what they want or don't want. All over the world there are governments / believers who arbitrarily decide what citizens may or may not do or, on the contrary, impose certain rules of life. Leave everyone free to decide for themselves. However, excesses must be vigorously combated, such as forced and child prostitution.
Thailand, what the government should do about it (for example about sex tourism) I have absolutely nothing to say about that, with no other paper in hand than my visa. Many tourists like it the way Thailand is (including in the field of sex). Moreover, if public sex in Amsterdam was now exemplary…. But no, there the ladies are often the victims of an apparently rampant trafficking of women (and as far as I know that is not the case in Thailand). It behooves the falang to keep his mouth shut and to proceed from the principle wisely wisely honour. The Thais know best themselves whether they should tackle the various sectors of sex tourism (hetero, home, pedo) and if so, how. In many different countries there are different laws and different views and different situations. Moreover: what is "handling"? Eliminate the ineradicable? The only thing I can say very, very generally about it: the less hidden and the more accepted, the less this subject is a breeding ground for all kinds of crime (extortion, blackmail, robbery, and already mentioned: trafficking in women, etc.).
It's the oldest profession in the world.
I think there should be control
on child prostitution because some are very young.
I think it's a pretty bold statement just for this week.
Last week Lady Gaga wrote on Facebook that she was going to buy a fake Rolex in Bangkok, which caused quite a stir. First a minister, yes really, who denied that fake Rolexes are for sale in Thailand. And today in the Bangkok Post that Mrs. Pachima, from the Intellectual Property Department, will write a letter to the US ambassador. The reason for the letter is that Lady Gaga would have shown disrespect to the Thai people with this comment.
Now this week's statement. How can we judge something the existence of which the Thai deny? If, I say if, there were prostitution somewhere in Thailand, who are we to want to change that. And be honest, do we want that?
Be careful, you will soon receive an angry letter from the Prime Minister because of disrespect for the Thai woman.
Disagree with the statement.
I myself went to Thailand for the first time as a sex tourist and have been married to a wonderful Thai woman for 5 years now.
In my opinion, far too much attention is paid to this part when people talk about Thailand.
For example, if we talk about Germany, I'm just mentioning a country, then we don't talk about the Reperbahn either. France, the red light district or call it a side street!
Thailand is much, much more than just that small part that attracts some people.
Most tourists come for what Thailand has to offer and that is so many times more than just the sex industry!
Politically correct I say that in principle every person is autonomous and as such everyone should actually know for themselves that they want to work in prostitution, in other words that every intellectual individual must essentially have self-determination over body and mind, thus having said that prostitution is not so much prohibited must be addressed, but the often factual practical reasons must be addressed to work in prostitution, such as poverty and the associated breadwinnership for the family.
I also consider sex tourism/the sex tourist to be completely legitimate, because then too, autonomy comes into play because simply sex is not only intended for reproduction - yes, I know that sounds very politically correct - but also for enjoyment and pleasure. to have.
It goes without saying that excesses such as coercion, abuse, exploitation, disrespect, (child) abuse, etc. must be combated in both paragraphs above!
However, let us not forget that the vast majority of Thai women certainly never want to choose to earn their rice in an 'easy' way.
Who should be disgusted at the mere thought of walking arm-in-arm with a complete stranger 'handsome' man and then share a bed in a hotel, but would rather do anything than that and therefore work in a stuffy factory hall or a BigC.
What nonsense talk, prostitution is completely illegal in Thailand so it does not exist. And all those ladies (and to a much lesser extent also gentlemen) who are present at all the bars in the afternoon are simply hostesses (and hosts) who ensure that you receive your drink very quickly. You don't have to look for anything else behind it.
How simple life can be.
And not just simple, Peter, but also beautiful when others and the government let people decide for themselves what they like to do and not do. The only thing they have to worry about are situations involving (physical) coercion and protection of minors.
As Turkey is for women, Thailand is for men. And I have never read an article that it is outrageous that women go to Turkey for sex. Believe me “there is just as much paid sex between Antalya and Alanya as in Pattaya. Regarding the numbers of ladies in the sex industry in Pattaya alone there are 15.000 bars and in each bar there are an average of 10 women and a third is Thay and the rest are from Laos and Vietnam-Russia etc. All these ladies must have a have reason to do this work and I will allow them if it doesn't bother me.
'Dear readers, you are supposed to respond to the statement and not explain why there is prostitution in Thailand. '
I can't separate one from the other to form an opinion.
All the opinions posted above are without any substantiation (as far as I can read) about how women experience this, if you could find out at all. It would require an in-depth investigation, something you can hardly expect from the Thais.
I'd put a couple of cultural anthropology students on it. I think it's a good thing that we've taken a closer look at our sex tourism (Ukrainian/Filipino women lured here under false pretenses), as long as you have some social intelligence (the ability to put yourself in others' shoes).
There is prostitution all over the world, not just in Thailand. Sex is a basic need and if men and women voluntarily, but for payment, go to bed together, there is nothing wrong with that. In Thai culture, paid sex is viewed with an open mind and many of the Thai men regularly go to a brothel. For young boys it is completely normal to let a prostitute take your virginity. The country has had a strong tradition of paid sex for centuries. Why shouldn't prostitution be used to lure foreign tourists (with their currency) to Thailand?
In my opinion, prostitution is certainly not objectionable, and sex tourism is not. I actually think it's quite logical that pleasurable (paid) sex can be a reason to go on holiday to a country. If you are interested in pyramids, you go to Egypt, if you want to see wild animals, then you go to East Africa and if you want sex and are willing to pay for it, Thailand is the best choice. Simple as that.
As far as I am concerned, the Thai government should not tackle sex tourism. However, more attention can be drawn to the other attractions of the country. The culture and nature, the beautiful beaches, the friendly people, the climate.
I have been to Thailand three times myself. The first time for a beautiful tour, the second time for a beach holiday on Phuket. On Phuket I was introduced to the Thai sex industry and I took a girl to my hotel a few times. That was just a small step, because in the Netherlands I also regularly go to sex clubs and visit the girls behind the window.
It wasn't until my third holiday in Thailand that sex was the main motivation. And to be fair, it was a great holiday.
Personally, I think we shouldn't be too fussy about sex tourism. The excesses must of course be combated, but that should also end the interference of the Thai government. Fight forced prostitution and sex with underage children and combat it vigorously. But let the women and their clients, who both have no problem with paid lovemaking, have their way. That is much better for the Thai economy as well.
I have traveled to Thailnad many times, mainly for the good food, the enormous friendliness and I now recently have a Thai girlfriend who does not come from this "environment". I once asked them what they think of this and their vision is that this is part of their culture, as long as the girls are not made compulsory, I have no problem with this, but there are a lot of prejudices from people who have never come here have ... And I have seen a lot of disadvantages from the corruption .. In Belgium there are also people who make deals with the government regarding finances and ae can also buy off their crime, so I think this is a legal way of corruption .. Here is corruption more with the ordinary policeman who has an extra pocket money for food and clothing instead of millions that flow to our corrupt government that the normal man never sees a penny of