Thailand in pictures (7): Prostitution
A picture paints a thousand words. This certainly applies to Thailand, a special country with an interesting culture and many cheerful people, but also a dark dark side of coups, poverty, exploitation, animal suffering, violence and many road deaths.
In each episode we choose a theme that gives an insight into Thai society. In this series no slick pictures of swaying palms and white beaches, but of people. Sometimes hard, sometimes shocking, but also surprising. Today a photo series about prostitution in Thailand.
There are some persistent misunderstandings about the origins of prostitution in Thailand. Such as the idea that American soldiers are responsible for the large-scale introduction of this kind of entertainment in a number of cities. During the Vietnam War in the 60s and 70s, American GIs flocked to Thailand for leave. The influx of men and US dollars naturally increase sex-related entertainment, but no more than that.
Thailand has a history when it comes to prostitution. It already existed on a large scale long before the arrival of the Americans. This even goes back to the time when King Chulalongkorn reigned. Prostitution was already so widespread at the time that there were serious public health concerns. A special law was even enacted with the aim of regulating brothels and prostitution in what was then Siam.
This law was passed in 1908 and included that every prostitute had to register. This also applied to all brothels. Also, the houses of pleasure had to hang a lantern outside to make it clear what kind of services one could expect. After 1920, more and more Go-Go dancers and bars appeared in Bangkok, which previously concentrated mainly in the vicinity of Chinatown, often as part of cabaret performances.
In 1960 this party came to an end. A new law 'The Phrohibition of Prostitution' made short work of prostitution in Thailand. It was officially banned from then on. The fine for a violation of this law was 1.000 baht or three months imprisonment. In the case of serious violations, both were possible. This law was amended in 1996 to the 'Prevention and Suppression of Prositution Act'. This also made visiting a prostitute punishable. The same penalty also applies here: 1.000 baht or three months in prison and possibly both.
Prostitution is illegal in Thailand
Today, prostitution is widely tolerated in Thailand, but it is still prohibited by Thai law. An industry has emerged in which bars, massage shops, hostess services, ramwong bars, karaoke bars and other entertainment venues serve as a cover for prostitution. A 2014 report from a United Nations anti-AIDS agency estimates Thailand has 123.530 sex workers, but Empower and other social welfare groups put it closer to 300.000. Many of them are migrants from neighboring countries or even minors.
According to Empower, an advocacy group that supports sex workers, 80 percent of women working in the sex industry have a child or children. Many are also breadwinners for the whole family. It is usually a temporary choice, often due to a lack of money. A major problem in Thailand is the massive corruption that perpetuates illegal prostitution. The police get paid by taking bribes from go-go bars, massage parlors and brothels, even accepting cash to allow underage prostitution. At the same time, they collect fines from the sex workers employed by those who pay the bribes.
Thailand also has street prostitution that focuses on the local population. Sixty percent of Bangkok's homeless people over the age of 40 make a living by providing paid sexual services, according to a survey by the Issarachon Foundation. According to spokesman Achara, the number of street prostitutes (men and women) in some places in Bangkok is 800 to 1.000. This has emerged from an investigation by the Disease Control Department, conducted when she distributed free condoms on Rattanakosin Island. Some women have gone to work as street prostitutes after losing their factory jobs. They earn 100 to 1.000 baht per day. Many women come from the North and Northeast. They go to the capital to look for a well-paid job, but if that does not work, they end up in prostitution.
Prostitution
(David Bokuchava / Shutterstock.com)
****
(Diego Fiore / Shutterstock.com)
****
****
****
(Christopher PB / Shutterstock.com)
****
Nana Plaza (TK Kurikawa / Shutterstock.com)
****
Soi Cowboy (Christopher PB / Shutterstock.com)
*****
****
*****
(Thor Jorgen Udvang / Shutterstock.com)
****
(JRJfin / Shutterstock.com)
****
(The Visu / Shutterstock.com)
When will people stop associating Thailand with prostitution? Why is this country always targeted for this?
Let's start with the word "prostitution": apparently this is the provision of sexual services to variable persons for material remuneration,
Granting your “arm muscles” and/or “intellectual gift” for material compensation or rather money (idem ditto material compensation) is then again categorized as “work” but not as prostitution!
Don't make me laugh, every worker whether manual labor or intellectual labor sells part of his body for a fee, what's the difference beyond the "description of performance"
This can be compared to “if you have an imaginary friend then you are considered crazy, if thousands of people have an imaginary friend then this is called “religion”.
Back to the topic: certainly "the poorer the country, the greater the chance of prostitution in the sense of sexual services" but Thailand is certainly not in the top 10 here .. in terms of reputation based on bullshit from people who don't know where the clapper hangs. For example, certain African countries are the Mecca for slightly older women, at least what people .. and this is kept silent about in all languages.
In my country Belgium you get money if you don't have a job or don't want to work and all excuses are accepted, in Thailand “Que Nada” ..!
In my country Belgium, the man, so to speak, has to hand over half of his wages to his wife when they separate, in Thailand this happens 1 in 100.000 cases .. so child sweet or mama remains empty-handed!
You can't compare apples to oranges, or am I wrong?
And then, let's be honest, if you have the choice between a) earning 10.000 THB per month in abysmal working conditions (if you find a job) or b) earning 100.000 THB and more, not even in the nicest of circumstances, .. ….. what would you do yourself.
If I go on leave tomorrow to Kenya, Brazil or the Philippines, everyone will say “wow”, if I say Thailand “they see me as a (sorry for the word) whore runner” while in the first mentioned countries “sexual services” are up for grabs, much more so than in Thailand.
It would be better to emphasize the beauty of the country, as well as the friendliness of the people, not to mention the good food and culture.
I'm quitting because it infuriates me to always have to listen to and/or read that "babble".. please excuse me (for the NL) for saying this.
Philip,
Do not worry so much.
Just as the Netherlands has an image of drug users, tulips, windmills, cheese and wooden shoes, every country has an image.
Of course, one cannot deny that prostitution is common in Thailand.
i think thailand blog is doing great by not only the topics; beautiful beaches, friendly people, great weather, friendly people and cheap living to cut.
Like other countries, Thailand also has dark sides, which are all too often not mentioned or even denied.
It's funny, Phillipus, that you yourself go on a rampage like that and then without any knowledge of the matter. I have nothing against prostitution in any way, but as the article says, prostitutes in Thailand are exploited, cheated and humiliated. It is a heavy profession, especially in Thailand, with a lot of physical and mental damage. I've heard and read a lot about that.
And then what they earn. you say,
'….And then, let's be honest, if you have the choice between a) earning 10.000 THB a month in terrible working conditions (if you find a job) or b) 100.000 THB and more, not even in the most pleasant circumstances, .. earn … .. what would you do yourself.'
The vast majority of prostitutes in Thailand earn between 10 and 30.000 baht, amounts such as 100.000 are a big exception.
Is what you say Tino correct “The vast majority of prostitutes in Thailand earn between 10 and 30.000 baht, amounts like 100.000 are a big exception”
but also what Phillipus says in appalling working conditions (if you find a job) earn 10.000 THB per month or even a daily wage for 300 baht for a few days when harvesting or planting on the farm.
The rest of the year boredom also plays a major role and eating is often not such a problem. Rice, some sambal and some twigs from the tree and shrubs supplemented with a fish, chicken, cockroaches or mouse and rat.
Then working in a bar, etc. is a lot more fun with a colleague, having fun and having a drink and suddenly one can wear nice clothes, make up and live more spaciously and support their family. By a better house and not just some planks and corrugated iron.
Many go there voluntarily because they hear that money can be made in a pleasant way.
When I was in Isaan with my girlfriend 10 years ago, there were also two girls who asked me during the party we had to the rice harvest if they could come with us to work in Pattaya.
My girlfriend said no, because she couldn't guarantee that they would be able to earn enough money there and then the parents would look at her for that.
I have nothing against prostitution, as long as it is not forced. No minors. Only voluntarily and mature without wrongdoing.
You cannot compare a girl or woman who often hangs out with you for many hours with someone who sits behind our windows and puts you outside for 50 minutes for €20.
No, most hope to find someone who will take care of them and their family. The more handsome and well-earned see it way as a well-earned sandwich and more for more luxury. Just like we find in our countries with the better call girls and escorts. Or thought those pretty girls next to old and young bangers in a nice sports car were just there for love at first sight.
Once stood in a bar in The Hague on the square with a man who was drinking, who said if I open my wallet I immediately have a large number of girlfriends. When he took a package with notes of 2,50, 5 and 10 guilders out of his inside pocket for fun. Where suddenly a lot of girls were standing around a guy from all nooks and crannies they came.
Reminded me of when I was throwing 20 baht notes or ping pong balls in the gogos on the walking street.
Dear Philippe, stopping associating with prostitution in Thailand will not change as long as things stay the way they are. There is a lot of prostitution and there are some objections to that. In that context, it is an undesirable employment opportunity. (Track). Prostitution is of every day and you give your opinion about it. The comparison that people work with their hands or brains for a monetary compensation does not apply to me. Not everyone thinks the same and in the moral question people remain divided. In fact, a large group disapproves of it, certainly on and in the way it takes place. It is true that prostitution can also be observed in many other countries. That's what needs to be done too. It has to be different and certainly in Thailand on this subject. Much has already been written about the road to walk. There are too many parties who have a different and often financial interest in this and as long as those persons do not change for the benefit of the persons in question, it remains necessary to denounce and name these abuses. A government that is mainly not there for their people also plays tricks. It should be clear that we can post this piece again in 20 years and little or nothing has changed. I can't make it more beautiful and it remains a sad lot. Humanity in its diversity.
I dare to say that by living in Thailand for 16 years now (married and single), I have some insight into the so-called prostitution between the common people with some private links to the elite.
And just like with corruption (what we call corruption in the West is not called that in Thailand in most cases) you first have to define what prostitution is. If that is the provision of sexual services for a material fee, then a number of questions arise in the Thai situation. It's not 100% prostitute or 0% but there are 50 colors of 'paid' sex in between. I will outline some realistic situations and you may then determine whether the Thai fold is a prostitute or not:
– Working with an onlyfans.com page (exponential growth in Covid times);
– Trying to find boyfriends via Tinder or another dating site and hoping that the man is good enough to pay you something after a few hours of sex. Otherwise it was just fun;
– A concubine of a married Thai of whom the wife knows;
– A woman who works in the porn film industry, also called a porn actress;
– A mistress of a rich, married Thai man about whom his wife knows nothing;
– A mistress/sex buddy of an unmarried man;
– A Thai woman with a ban who tries to earn some extra money in the nightlife at the weekend;
– A Muslim woman who is the man's second or third wife (while he can only be legally married to one)
– An attractive young lady who is a topless waitress at a private gentlemen's club;
– A young lady who works in a karaoke bar sits on the customer's lap and puts 100 baht in her bra.
Good luck with the answers.
I leave out the 'real' prostitutes, the ladies who work in happy-end massage parlours, bars and nightclubs, because that is obvious.
During the Old Babylonian period in Mesopotamia (ca. 1760-1595 BC[3]) there were at least three categories of prostitutes in Babylon.
So it's been around for a while.
And what about the nightlife? Men go to clubs and pubs and so do women.
You show a lady some interest, you get some drinks and end the night,,,, you hope in bed with her.
Then it's not called prostitution, but "seating".
Some like sex so why not get paid? Others are forced to do it with or without feeling, in order to survive. Well, maybe to be hesitant at first, but all beginnings are difficult. The money may give you a different feeling. It means bread on the shelf for your child, e.g.
And there are also those who have a well-invested sandwich.
Got to see a documentary about women who look nice, get paid for vacations, shopping and what not, but have absolutely no sex with their customer. They have a certain name, but forgotten. Really allowed to see, woman got a 1st class ticket to New York, was in a 5 star hotel and went shopping with a customer's credit card. And the customer? If he OH too much, she went home again. And NO sex. So I wonder what's going on with such a customer now.
So it can go either way.
Prostitution has been put in a bad light by decency rascals and religious groups.
OK, there was sometimes a criminal atmosphere around it in the form of pimps.
Seen again in a documentary, how the Russian mafia exploit Russian women in Pattaya.
Ok that's wrong again. I wonder what's going on with that since the documentary was years ago.
It was investigated by the Thai police. However, never heard of it again.
We are all still human beings and your life can take on bizarre forms.
Prostitution, it's nothing more than sexual acts for money, so what?
Considered closely.
You are married, have a wife who does not work, with whom you possibly. have sexual contact, is that also a prostitute?
Dear Peter, life is not black and white, but has many gray nuances, that's for sure. I am not a decency guy, but I am against the amount of women and men who dwell in this world and experience it as work. Especially because I know from information that the vast majority of sex workers do not do this out of love for the work, but because of bad influences and diseased circumstances that are very diverse. In Amsterdam on the Red Light District, studies in the 87s showed that more than XNUMX% were engaged in appalling conditions to please their fellow human beings, who actually did not care what was going on. Self-convenience prevailed. This target group needs help and protection, especially against themselves. Many end up (at an older age) with trauma related to this. In Thailand there is also a lot wrong in this area and then just justifying all this, one should not be in favor of that. Don't make the mistake of looking at everything from the men's perspective and justifying it, because many women are wired differently. For those who are really interested there is enough information to be had and I advise this group to take it in in the hope of changing the opinion and image to one that is based on what is really taking place.
Dear Jacques,
You write: “In Amsterdam on the Red Light District, studies in the 87s showed that more than XNUMX% were busy pleasing their fellow man under appalling conditions.”
That is, unfortunately, 100% true.
I lived (studying at the UvA) with a few friends on the Oudezijds Achterburgwal until 1995. We knew many women who sat behind the windows, and for whom we sometimes got coffee, soup, cigarettes or sandwiches. In this way we gained a trusted contact. What you wrote has become painfully clear to me several times, sometimes even to the point of tears. I will never forget the most poignant one, a girl from Venezuela who asked me for help in Spanish (which I speak fluently). She was framed and threatened. The result was that I then had 2 wardrobes of guys standing next to me on the spot, who intimidated me if I did anything to help her.
Terrible, and to this day I regret that I was too cowardly to call the police, for example.
Prostitution is a big word in 70 percent of the massage parlors and then prostitution is done, the easiest way to earn something.
For massage you pay 350 bath, while 150 is for the masseuse, so it is not surprising that they want to earn something extra and that income is between 400 and 1000 bath, so no problem, you choose that yourself.
Prostitution has always existed. Renting out your body/mind is unfortunately necessary to get money to pay the costs of life. Not everyone has the free choice to choose what he or she likes. Education, family, cultural and legal options are too diverse to make this possible for everyone. Western education and socialization teaches that prostitution is not good. I find it quite strange that with a Western perspective on this form of making money is condemned in advance. In the response I see many comparisons to other countries and the apples and oranges are thrown together and then compared. Now stop that. Every culture weighs this differently. We come from a Puritan upbringing that places everything on the religious (Christian) scale. Then, from a hypocritical point of view that Western moral convictions must be superior, we condemn other cultures. Just stop that now. Abuses, exploitation and criminal behavior can of course also be tested in every culture. But the definition of what constitutes abuse may differ per culture. In our country (NL) marrying multiple wives is legally prohibited. However, cohabitation with several females is possible (example: Anton Heyboer with his five females). In Islamic countries a man is allowed to marry 4 women provided he can support them. And so I can go on and on. Sex as a sales tool is fine if both parties agree to it. It's an easy way to make a lot of money relatively quickly with a little bit of acting. Thais are above all practical. If my daughter can support her family with her acquired income, her status in the home village is good. No one then looks at what she does for work. Moralizing disapproval is mainly a simple way of looking at situations with blinders. After all, there is no such thing as objective, it is always intersubjective.