Reality and the Denial of Sex Work in Thailand

By Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

 

In this undated image, two women approach a passerby in Bangkok's Soi Cowboy. Image: Bangkok 112 / YouTube

 

What should we care more about: Reality or the denial of reality?

 

In Thailand, prostitution is illegal and yet its sex industry is famous – or infamous – depending on how one looks at it. There are an estimated 300,000 sex workers, according to an estimate by Empower Foundation, a leading advocate for their rights.

 

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/opinion/2018/06/09/reality-and-the-denial-of-sex-work-in-thailand/

 

 

-- © Copyright Khaosod English 2018-06-10

I nominate myself as ''shop steward''

"Reality or the denial of reality..."

 

one of the reasons I moved to Thailand.

The title had me thinking this was a cheeseman special.

Excellent piece by a very brave and astute writer. Personally I find the crass hypocrisy from those higher up the social ladder incredibly tough to stomach.

It would almost be funny if it wasn't so disgraceful

The reality is that Thailand is in denial of just about anything and everything that doesn't present it in a shining light. Any global report that shows Thailand negatively is dismissed as being out of date or using parameters the Thais disagree with. Thais live in a fictional world, fed lies and propaganda, and are in truth, probably not emotionally equipped to deal with reality.

That is a very good, very precise article.

This pretty much sums up Thailand succinctly: "... a culture of hypocrisy where pretence and reality are so different."

I always laugh when Thais deny things that are blatantly real. I often wonder what would happen if the "flat earth" theory ever got introduced here.

Edited June 10, 20188 yr by ThreeEyedRaven

55 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

"Reality or the denial of reality..."

 

one of the reasons I moved to Thailand.

You could move back to the West then as well, they are in full denial too 555

34 minutes ago, darksidedog said:

The reality is that Thailand is in denial of just about anything and everything that doesn't present it in a shining light. Any global report that shows Thailand negatively is dismissed as being out of date or using parameters the Thais disagree with. Thais live in a fictional world, fed lies and propaganda, and are in truth, probably not emotionally equipped to deal with reality.

Very true.   BUT,  i may be a cynic (or maybe i see reality).....but almost everywhere I look in the world the same statement would be true.

defensiveness and denial.....often followed by aggression,  seem the norm 

that is why it "pays" to be PC  and avoid the BS

Thailand maybe the biggest brothel in the World,

but sex toys are banned ,I think that about sums

the hypocrisy here .

regards worgeordie

30 minutes ago, ThreeEyedRaven said:

I always laugh when Thais deny things that are blatantly real. I often wonder what would happen if the "flat earth" theory ever got introduced here.

It would create a mass panic with millions in fear of falling of the plate by trying to cross the border. 

"A reminder of how far the state of denial is in Thailand was made apparent Monday when Salinee Chumsuwan, director of the Office of Culture Monitoring at the culture ministry, gave an interview to a local media saying sex toys should not be legalized as long as there is no solid research supporting them. She said research from other countries cannot be used because the context is different. The director recommended that people who have urges should instead resort to meditation or sport."

 

Deary, deary, deary me...

1 hour ago, ThreeEyedRaven said:

I always laugh when Thais deny things that are blatantly real. I often wonder what would happen if the "flat earth" theory ever got introduced here.

There is a Thai version of the truth. It will soon to be released after Prayut's approval:

  

                        

"Reality or the denial of reality..."

 

Let's get real. Saying there is no sex industry in Thailand is not denial. It is outright lying by those who gain the most  monetarily from the exploitation of the workers.  

Edited June 10, 20188 yr by jaltsc

1 hour ago, darksidedog said:

Thais live in a fictional world, fed lies and propaganda, and are in truth, probably not emotionally equipped to deal with reality.

I can see it would he very shocking to wake up in the morning feeling you are the most superior race on the planet, but going to bed realising you are actually totally backward and unintelligent. Denial is probably here to stay.

Take a walk down Sukmvit rd,sex toys openly displayed and on sale from quite a few street vendors.

"A reminder of how far the state of denial is in Thailand was made apparent Monday when Salinee Chumsuwan, director of the Office of Culture Monitoring at the culture ministry, gave an interview to a local media saying sex toys should not be legalized as long as there is no solid research supporting them. She said research from other countries cannot be used because the context is different. The director recommended that people who have urges should instead resort to meditation or sport."

 

I don't even know, where to start with this, but the best part is the one of the data from other countries!

Yes, Thailand!

You are so damn special!

Go ... yourselves!

1 hour ago, Ceruhe said:

You could move back to the West then as well, they are in full denial too 555

One or two candidates on here for the NCPO. You should.speak to Suradit.

1 hour ago, Bluespunk said:

"A reminder of how far the state of denial is in Thailand was made apparent Monday when Salinee Chumsuwan, director of the Office of Culture Monitoring at the culture ministry, gave an interview to a local media saying sex toys should not be legalized as long as there is no solid research supporting them. She said research from other countries cannot be used because the context is different. The director recommended that people who have urges should instead resort to meditation or sport."

 

Deary, deary, deary me...

 

Maybe it wasn't "meditation".   My spell checker does that kind of thing all the time when the right word isn't in the database.

 

Edited June 10, 20188 yr by impulse

Eat holy basil and those "urges" will subside thanks to the reduction in 'androgen receptor expression'

2 hours ago, Bluespunk said:

"A reminder of how far the state of denial is in Thailand was made apparent Monday when Salinee Chumsuwan, director of the Office of Culture Monitoring at the culture ministry, gave an interview to a local media saying sex toys should not be legalized as long as there is no solid research supporting them. She said research from other countries cannot be used because the context is different. The director recommended that people who have urges should instead resort to meditation or sport."

 

Deary, deary, deary me...

And same time Payut want the Thais to have more children.......

3 hours ago, darksidedog said:

The reality is that Thailand is in denial of just about anything and everything that doesn't present it in a shining light. Any global report that shows Thailand negatively is dismissed as being out of date or using parameters the Thais disagree with. Thais live in a fictional world, fed lies and propaganda, and are in truth, probably not emotionally equipped to deal with reality.

As we all know, it's not about 'reality' but about 'saving face'. 

4 hours ago, darksidedog said:

The reality is that Thailand is in denial of just about anything and everything that doesn't present it in a shining light. Any global report that shows Thailand negatively is dismissed as being out of date or using parameters the Thais disagree with. Thais live in a fictional world, fed lies and propaganda, and are in truth, probably not emotionally equipped to deal with reality.

 

Spot on! And that permeates all the way to individuals, who avoid anything inconvenient, contentious or troublesome, through all types of organization which collectively also avoid those things.

 

No one is interested in reality when denial is much easier, more pleasant and doesn't require any thinking!

Yep the river runs deep "de Nile " !

The Shiva Linga, or the phallic symbol of Lord Shiva (or Chiva as it is sometimes mispronounced in Thailand) is worshipped both in Hindu and Buddhist cultures. When worn as an amulet, please don't confuse it with a sex toy.

How do you ban sex toys? Bits of plastic and rubber , maybe a battery. Anything can and has been used as a sex toy. High heels, feather dusters, vacuum cleaners, baby oil! And don't even mention the veggie market. It's a sex emporium..

29 minutes ago, tomta said:

How do you ban sex toys? Bits of plastic and rubber , maybe a battery. Anything can and has been used as a sex toy. High heels, feather dusters, vacuum cleaners, baby oil! And don't even mention the veggie market. It's a sex emporium..

vacuum cleaners?? 5555

I used to be able to see quite a few differences between my native country and other countries. Increasingly, I find more and more irony....