Prostitution in thailand

Sex Trade The sex industry is lucrative and it has expanded rapidly in Thailand within the past few decades. Prostitution provides a way for people of low education to earn a high income.

Big Contribution! In December of 2003, the sex trade was reported to be a $4.3 billion per- year industry. Approximately 60% of the country’s National income comes from tourism, and sex tourism encompasses a large part of Thailand’s tourism industry.

Social Costs Only within the past decade has the government given much attention to the social costs i.e. growth in HIV and sex trafficking.

Growing Demand for Sex In 1960s, the Thai government secured a contract with the United States to provide rest and relaxation services for American troops in Vietnam.

Industrialization In the 1970s, the entertainment sector played a major role in the rapid industrialization of Thailand’s economy. Since 1982, tourism has been the country’s largest earner of foreign exchange.

Thai Tourism It is estimated that approximately 60% of the tourists who visit Thailand are males, and of those, 70% come specifically for sex.

Local Demand Visiting prostitutes is seen as a male bonding experience, and many Thai men think it natural to entertain business clients and friends by taking them to brothels.

Thai University Tradition! A study at Chiang Mai University found that, Thai boys begin to buy women when they are around 13 years old. 50% of 16-year-old boys and 90% of university students go to brothels.

Go Prostitute = Go Funeral

Supply Side Not only men, the supply side of the sex industry is predominantly composed of young women or minors from poorer, rural areas in Thailand and neighboring countries.

Foreign Prostitute Eastern European (i.e. Russia in Pattaya) and Filipina prostitutes also work in Thailand, which reflects the increasing globalization of the industry.

Contributing Factors Poverty Greed Consumerism Western influence Low value on Thai women (gender/sexual discrimination)

Sexual Exploitation Poor girls once sold (around $2,000), bar or brothel owner can fine a worker for being late, refusing to please a customer, not meeting their quota, etc.

Survey in 1996 Ministry of Public Health conducted a survey that recorded 7,318 sex establishments all over Thailand, including: brothels, massage parlors, karaoke bars, discotheques, night clubs, bars, and restaurants. Now, also salons and online!

Local Brothels Local brothels are more oppressive to the women who work there than areas that service the international sex industry. Girls are required to serve a higher number of clients per day and receive less money than girls who work in bars that cater to foreign tourists.

4 Types of Sex Workers(Chula) Low income earners with some restraint Economic compulsion to support dependants Young women looking for economic incentive Work part-time to supplement income

Effects of Prostitution Physical damage Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) Higher risk of contracting HIV/AIDS Psychological harm Low self-esteem and self-value Self-blame and guilt Depression Suicidal tendencies

Some Personal Stories Pla Super Queen

How many people are involved in the sex trade? Estimates of the number of people involved in prostitution in Thailand range from 70,000 to 2.8 million. Choowit Kamolwisit, a politician who owns many parlors said currently Thailand has around 1-2 million of sex workers!

Prostitution and Thai Law The Anti-Prostitution Law of 1960 made procurers and prostitutes subject to a fine or jail sentence, but did not impose a penalty on customers.

A Better Law? The 1996 Prostitution Prevention and Suppression Act re-oriented Thai law from emphasizing punishment of prostitutes towards punishing pimps, procurers, brothel owners, and certain customers.

Poor Law Enforcement Thai police and public officials are often involved with mafia who run drug and sex trafficking operations. Establishment owners pay regular protection fees to the police.

Vicious Circle The combination of the widespread corruption among public officials and the lax enforcement of laws pertaining to the sex industry mean that sex workers are often doubly exploited by their employers and by the police.

Coalition Against Trafficking in Women International (CATW) Legalization/decriminalization of prostitution and the sex industry: promotes sex trafficking increases child prostitution does not protect the women in prostitution and women’s health does not control the sex industry boosts the motivation of men to buy women for sex in a much wider

Legalizing Prostitution? Women in systems of prostitution do not want the sex industry legalized or decriminalized. Girlfriend for Sale (6 Parts) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STCpKDAmKSs&feature=bf_prev&list=PL23C66F2D8E3E26EE

Resources Friends of Women Foundation Global Alliance Against (GAATW) EMPOWER Foundation for Women Foundation for Women, Law and Rural Development (FORWARD) Women’s Studies Center (WSC) Development and Education Program for Daughters and Communities (DEPDC) Rahab Ministries Thailand

Sex Trafficking of Children http://ecpat.net/EI/Publications/Trafficking/F actsheet_Thailand.pdf