Actually, no. The legal position in Thailand is far more complicated than simply saying "18 is when prostitution becomes legal.” For a start, prostitution itself is illegal in Thailand. Enforcement may be inconsistent, but the law has not legalised prostitution for adults. Where a person is under 18, the legal position becomes much more serious. A 17-year-old is still regarded as a child under Thailand's child protection and anti-trafficking laws. Paying a minor for sex, facilitating it, or exploiting them can amount to serious criminal offences, regardless of the general age of consent. The age of consent in Thailand is generally 15, but that is only one part of the legal framework. It does not create a blanket rule that adults can lawfully have sex with anyone aged 15 to 17 in every circumstance. Child protection, prostitution, trafficking, and exploitation laws may all apply. Historically, the age of consent provisions originated in a very different social context and were never intended to legitimise commercial sexual exploitation of minors in places like Pattaya or Phuket. Under 15, the law is much clearer. Sexual intercourse is a criminal offence regardless of consent.
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