SoiBiker

I can't say much about Pattaya, having never set foot in the place. I'm sure I'm just one of many deterred from visiting by its reputation as a den of sex tourism.

Perhaps if they cleaned the place up, more people would visit. It would be a good thing for the Thai tourism industry to have a pleasant, family friendly seaside resort a short drive from Bangkok.

Remember that even on this forum, some still have their vital functions in working order...

Not sure what you're getting at here.

Dull people are content to spend their whole lives in one place. The inquisitive set out to experience more of the world.

Backpackers will still come to khaosan and the islands for the party scene. The 'eat pray love' crowd will still come to places like Chiang Mai for the temples. Couples will still come for a relaxing beach villa stay on Samui - or even for their wedding. The Chinese will still visit in ever increasing numbers.

The bar scene is slowly dying out anyway, and anyone who thinks the tourist industry depends on it is kidding themselves. You're simple not as important to Thailand as you think you are. Time for the country to move on.

So with sex venues closed cities like pattaya will still have million of tourists for their beautifull beaches and golf tours?

As for your words I should imagine backpakers play golf.

I can't say much about Pattaya, having never set foot in the place. I'm sure I'm just one of many deterred from visiting by its reputation as a den of sex tourism.

Perhaps if they cleaned the place up, more people would visit. It would be a good thing for the Thai tourism industry to have a pleasant, family friendly seaside resort a short drive from Bangkok.

- 'good riddance, thailand should get rid of all the filthy low life sex tourists exploiting impoverished women, most decent expats like me did not come here for that degenerate behavior, they wouldnt sleep with prostitutes back home could you imagine them telling their friends back home how they purchase women, im married to a thai, speak thai, im accepted and respected by thai people'

how old are you?

- '65'

how old is your wife?

-'30'

at this point i usually just tune out, this is a fairly typical convo you have when you meet someone who considers himself a 'quality' expat when in reality he is just deluded

You mean the type that thinks they're getting jealous looks wherever they go?

i find it funny that most of the guys complaining about the sex industry are married to a thai, of course in every case she is far younger and far more attractive than they are and only married them because of her comparative poverty despite their delusions to the contrary. Yet the claim it is only the mongers who exploit poor thai women, hilarious, their wives married them for money just as hookers exchange sex for money - whats the difference? oh you put a ring on her finger

Nope. My wife certainly didn't marry me for my money.

no doubt it was your good looks

Amongst other things, yes.

i find it funny that most of the guys complaining about the sex industry are married to a thai, of course in every case she is far younger and far more attractive than they are and only married them because of her comparative poverty despite their delusions to the contrary. Yet the claim it is only the mongers who exploit poor thai women, hilarious, their wives married them for money just as hookers exchange sex for money - whats the difference? oh you put a ring on her finger

Nope. My wife certainly didn't marry me for my money.

There are plenty of places to have a beer that don't involve the company of sex workers.

Seriously, try exploring past soi 8 sometime, guys...

Agree, you have tried them all....Dee ma...

I've had a beer in quite a few of them, to be sure.

There are plenty of places to have a beer that don't involve the company of sex workers.

Seriously, try exploring past soi 8 sometime, guys...

I guess it's to be expected that the sex industry defines Thailand for some - it's clearly the only reason they came here. But they must be pretty naive and blinkered to think that it dominates the tourist industry.

The lady that has a small shop in my Gf's moo ban will be happy to sell 24 hrs a day 366 days a year.

Surely she sleeps at some point?

kobkarn.jpg

This the Minister of Sports and tourism, Kobkarn Wattanavrankul. I believe she is correctly referred to as a woman.

This is 2016. I've given up on the gender thing, as it has become way too complicated...

The fact that they let women be politicians now is too much for you?

As the writer notes correctly the 'sex industry' is primarily for and created by THAI men. It's is much deeper, broader and a lot older than Pat Pong or Soi Cowboy. Virtually every city and town in the country of any note has massage parlors, university students selling themselves and other venues catering to Thai men.

Anything this minister does will be purely for show and directed to the sex industry for tourists. It won't put a dent in the real sex industry of Thailand -

Presumably they're talking about the sex tourism industry, as would be in line with their ministerial remit.

OK There goes 90 % of the western tourist, flying elsewhere..We will have mostly, the broke over stayers,retirees,Khao San road back packers,phony teachers,and Chinese tourist left.

90%

Don't be daft. Have you ever set foot outside of the bar areas? The legit tourist industry is huge compared to the sex tourist trade.

As ever, many people vastly overestimate the impact of sex tourism on the Thai economy.

Yes, because we all know that the only reason why people go to Pattaya is for the beautiful beaches, jet ski scams and ladyboy robberies.

And the only reason why people flock to Nana or Soi Cowboy is to smell the wonderful stench of BKK in all its glory, and look at the beautiful skyscrapers.

If you think Pattaya and the arse end of Sukhumvit is all Thai tourism has to offer, you need to get out more.

I don't go to bars to pick up women.

I am aware, though, that not all Thai women are available for hire - and that some Thai families are extremely wealthy.

One thing about this story doesn't make sense to me.

A youngish Thai woman that depends on her parents money would not live in a rented Bangkok condo alone. She would live with her parents unless she is studying in another city/country.

You'd be surprised.

I've spoken to a young Thai woman from a wealthy family who's parents rent her a condo in Bangkok merely so she can be nearer to the gym!

This also doesn't make sense. Most decent condos have a well equipped gym.

Condo gyms don't offer classes.

I don't go to bars to pick up women.

I am aware, though, that not all Thai women are available for hire - and that some Thai families are extremely wealthy.

One thing about this story doesn't make sense to me.

A youngish Thai woman that depends on her parents money would not live in a rented Bangkok condo alone. She would live with her parents unless she is studying in another city/country.

You'd be surprised.

I've spoken to a young Thai woman from a wealthy family who's parents rent her a condo in Bangkok merely so she can be nearer to the gym!

Backpackers will still come to khaosan and the islands for the party scene. The 'eat pray love' crowd will still come to places like Chiang Mai for the temples. Couples will still come for a relaxing beach villa stay on Samui - or even for their wedding. The Chinese will still visit in ever increasing numbers.

The bar scene is slowly dying out anyway, and anyone who thinks the tourist industry depends on it is kidding themselves. You're simple not as important to Thailand as you think you are. Time for the country to move on.

As ever, many people vastly overestimate the impact of sex tourism on the Thai economy.

As ever, the government Minister vastly underestimates the impact of sex tourism on the Thai economy.

I'm guessing she's probably a little better informed on the subject than you are.

As ever, many people vastly overestimate the impact of sex tourism on the Thai economy.

Guy can't even pronounce his own girlfriend's name properly?

What a winner.

I think it's a bit odd to make out that the only alternatives are either to pay for sex or 'cheat your way into a naive girl's knickers'. Not all women are such naive creatures, and many are just as capable of desiring casual sex as men are. It's a pretty old-fashioned, patronising idea to view them all as innocent creatures trying to save themselves for their husband, tricked into sex by such irresistible studs as you.

There goes the neighborhood.

The same things it's based on now, mostly - tourism only accounts for 6% of the country's economy, at least according to Wikipedia.

She's a keeper.

Does football pay that well here?

Maybe you need to clean your freezer.