1. Prostitution in thailand

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

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

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. Go Prostitute = Go Funeral

11. 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.

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

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

14. 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.

15. 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!

16. 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.

17. 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

18. 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

19. Some Personal Stories
Pla
Super Queen

20. 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!

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

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. 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

26. Legalizing Prostitution?
Women in systems of prostitution do not want the sex industry legalized or decriminalized.
Girlfriend for Sale (6 Parts)

27. 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

28. Sex Trafficking of Children
actsheet_Thailand.pdf