Inside Pattaya’s struggling sex trade amid pandemic and downturn

[webfact]

 

By Caleb Quinley

 

Pattaya’s sex trade died when Covid hit. But one former sex worker has become an unlikely hero in its wake.

In the coastal town of Pattaya, Thailand, a tourist-reliant city suffering from the pandemic’s fallout, Aunchanaporn “Anna” Pilasuta, represents a suffering community battered by a broken economy.

“Everything has shut down now,” Anna said, before pointing to a long stretch of countless dilapidated bars.  “I think it’s going to take a long time for this place to get better,” the 40-year-old former trans sex worker told Thai Enquirer from the entrance of “Walking Street,” a once energetic road packed with tourists. Just two years ago, this part of town was buzzing with life, pulsating with the sound of nightclubs as thousands of foreign visitors flocked.

 

But today, the street has fallen silent.

 

Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/35867/inside-pattayas-struggling-sex-trade-amid-pandemic-and-downturn/

 

-- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2021-12-16

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[bbko]

Awwww, I feel so sad they might have to get a real job.  (sarcasm)

Edited December 16, 2021 by bbko

[mtls2005]

A shockingly positive and heartfelt article about what appears to be a thoughtful, caring, highly intelligent person who is familiar with many/most/all of the issues facing sex workers here.

 

They should probably have a lot more "government" responsibility?

 

 

 

 

[Clarkey611]

Having been out and about last night, it appears that most have moved to Bangkok and can be found on the odd side of Sukhumvit.

 

However, good luck to all that are not being looked after by the Government, because they do not exist.

[Rimmer]

A racist post has been removed

[LennyW]

I guess somebody needs to introduce "Anna" to Twitter, Instagram, Only Fans, Snapchat, etc.........the industry has changed and is thriving!!

[trainman34014]

What Sex Trade is that then ?   We were assured year before last after the Chief of Police did a ten minute walk around that there was no Sex Trade in Pattaya !!     Lol.

[Walker88]

Having never walked in their shoes, I am unqualified to pass judgement on what work they do (or did). What I do know is that 1) despite the supposed booming Thai economy from 2010-2019, many people---especially those with minimal education---were never able to find traditional work. Even 7-11s and Big Cs were wildly overstaffed, and 2) Anyone who is suffering during the Covid Era is worthy of sympathy, whether they're a laid-off hotel worker or someone who worked in the sex industry. Need is need.

 

Many women in the industry found themselves with child at a tender age. Societal norms in Thailand forced many to leave school in addition to finding a way to earn money to pay for their child (since the baby dad almost always does a runner). Baby dad's life is unaffected, while a 16 year old mother has had her life permanently altered, whether due to a temporary lapse of judgement, moment of passion, or even an act against her will. Uneducated and with a mouth to feed, it isn't surprising some turned to the sex trade to get by. None of us, especially males, can say with certainty what we would have done in similar circumstances. To judge a woman based on what she chose is to delude ourselves into thinking we are somehow morally superior.

 

Now the subject of the quoted article obviously never got pregnant, but as I similarly do not know his circumstances nor background, and because what he does has no victim, I'm not going to judge. Those who believe themselves to be morally superior by birth are welcome to play god and tell them how they should have lived.

Edited December 16, 2021 by Walker88

[ChrisY1]

3 hours ago, Clarkey611 said:

Having been out and about last night, it appears that most have moved to Bangkok and can be found on the odd side of Sukhumvit.

 

However, good luck to all that are not being looked after by the Government, because they do not exist.

Most are in Bangkok?.....you mean 20,000+ lining Sukhumvit:))....maybe 10

[userabcd]

Who knows what circumstances leads people to partake in that industry but one thing is clear it attracts a lot of the high and mighty foreigners to Thailand to partake in it.

 

Notice the moralists are making known their stance as what they deem people can only do for work to mete out an existence.

Edited December 16, 2021 by userabcd

[Excel]

20 minutes ago, Walker88 said:

Having never walked in their shoes, I am unqualified to pass judgement on what work they do (or did). What I do know is that 1) despite the supposed booming Thai economy from 2010-2019, many people---especially those with minimal education---were never able to find traditional work. Even 7-11s and Big Cs were wildly overstaffed, and 2) Anyone who is suffering during the Covid Era is worthy of sympathy, whether they're a laid-off hotel worker or someone who worked in the sex industry. Need is need.

 

Many women in the industry found themselves with child at a tender age. Societal norms in Thailand forced many to leave school in addition to finding a way to earn money to pay for their child (since the baby dad almost always does a runner). Baby dad's life is unaffected, while a 16 year old mother has had her life permanently altered, whether due to a temporary lapse of judgement, moment of passion, or even an act against her will. Uneducated and with a mouth to feed, it isn't surprising some turned to the sex trade to get by. None of us, especially males, can say with certainty what we would have done in similar circumstances. To judge a woman based on what she chose is to delude ourselves into thinking we are somehow morally superior.

 

Now the subject of the quoted article obviously never got pregnant, but as I similarly do not know his circumstances nor background, and because what he does has no victim, I'm not going to judge. Those who believe themselves to be morally superior by birth are welcome to play god and tell them how they should have lived.

Your post is certainly worthy of all the praise it gets and sums up the plight of those less fortunate ones. However like you, me and countless millions they have all one thing in common that should be recognised, they are simply human beings trying to make what they can of their lives, so hence any derision, snide remarks by others is not welcome.

[thaibeachlovers]

3 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

They should probably have a lot more "government" responsibility?

I fail to see why. No one forced them to work as prostitutes ( despite the urban myth BS ). Most Thai women don't, and they probably all have problems with earning enough money.

[thaibeachlovers]

16 minutes ago, moskito said:

yeah right, just another DUMB Farang... has it ever hit your mind that many of this girls having no other chance to survive but in a business like this??? I bet not.  Most of you Sextourists are brainless guys, never giving anything a second thought. Many of you not even been to Isan or having no idea how things realy work here, that most Thaimen just running away after getting a girl pregnant and many of them do not have many other chances to feed the kid(s) or their family, because there is NOT such a security or social system with pension like in your countries...

Rubbish. Millions and millions of Thai women have same situation and would never work as a prostitute.

Pity the girls are so dumb that they think their "boyfriends" will stay with them after they get pregnant, and don't make them wear a condom. They must have seen it happen to a lot of their friends.

[Pravda]

I'll offer the same sympathy as to hospitalized foreigner begging on GoFundMe. None.

[James105]

27 minutes ago, JustAnotherFarang said:

You make casual assumptions in support of prostitution but you know deep down that society ALWAYS frowns on this chosen profession and for good reason.  Every sex worker has a sad story to tell and its never their fault so let those that pity them feed and offer them shelter,  the majority will ALWAYS turn their noses up in disdain and rightfully so

Whenever I see comments like this I make a casual assumption that anyone who sounds so bitter is typically a frequent user of such services and most likely have had a bad experience on more than one occasion, such as being turned down (even after offering money) or been on the receiving end of laughter when they see what little is on offer when undressed.  

 

"The lady doth protest too much, methinks" is a phrase that comes to mind when I see such comments.   

[Pravda]

6 minutes ago, James105 said:

Whenever I see comments like this I make a casual assumption that anyone who sounds so bitter is typically a frequent user of such services and most likely have had a bad experience on more than one occasion, such as being turned down (even after offering money) or been on the receiving end of laughter when they see what little is on offer when undressed.  

 

"The lady doth protest too much, methinks" is a phrase that comes to mind when I see such comments.   

How do you know all these details?

[BritManToo]

1 hour ago, LennyW said:

I guess somebody needs to introduce "Anna" to Twitter, Instagram, Only Fans, Snapchat, etc.........the industry has changed and is thriving!!

I'm thinking a 40 year old ladyboy needs the assistance of darkness and alcohol in order to make money.

[James105]

1 hour ago, JustAnotherFarang said:

He doesnt, hes just venting his assumptions, much akin to brain farting and then looking to blame others for his own odious nature

Sounds like I hit a nerve...   

[Scouse123]

3 hours ago, JustAnotherFarang said:

Why should anyone offer sympathy to sex workers who are struggling financially.  It is their choice and we do not need to respect it if we find their work to be abhorrent and they choose not to find alternative employment.  Let the scummy bottom dwellers that choose to associate with them feed them and their addictions.   I reserve my sympathy and charitable nature for the decent people who struggle in their lives with no champions to save them.  Sex workers are bottom of the list as they are the detritus of society......and they know it.

 

Hope your Halo still fits snugly!

[vandeventer]

2 hours ago, JustAnotherFarang said:

Why should anyone offer sympathy to sex workers who are struggling financially.  It is their choice and we do not need to respect it if we find their work to be abhorrent and they choose not to find alternative employment.  Let the scummy bottom dwellers that choose to associate with them feed them and their addictions.   I reserve my sympathy and charitable nature for the decent people who struggle in their lives with no champions to save them.  Sex workers are bottom of the list as they are the detritus of society......and they know it.

 

There are jobs that are necessary in lift for some people to do and this is one. Now would you clean out your septic system or get somebody else to do it?

[Mac Mickmanus]

1 hour ago, James105 said:

Whenever I see comments like this I make a casual assumption that anyone who sounds so bitter is typically a frequent user of such services and most likely have had a bad experience on more than one occasion, such as being turned down (even after offering money) or been on the receiving end of laughter when they see what little is on offer when undressed.  

 

"The lady doth protest too much, methinks" is a phrase that comes to mind when I see such comments.   

From my experience , the girls prefer smaller guys 

[Scouse123]

Amazing how many on here take the moral high ground regarding the oldest profession in the world and without which, the likes of Pattaya would not exist.

[hellohello123]

Have they made the article so damn vague that they can republish it every 3 months?? And still be valid

[JustAnotherFarang]

10 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

Amazing how many on here take the moral high ground regarding the oldest profession in the world and without which, the likes of Pattaya would not exist.

Why should anyone be beholding to the grotty image and sordid nightlife that Pattaya offers to those who prefer to buy the girl and enslave her to their will.  Its shameful behaviour thats only accepted because its an agreement between lo so strangers looking for easy cash and cheap thrills.  Would you advocate for it if it was your daughter, sister or mother?  I hope their halo hasnt slipped ????

Edited December 16, 2021 by JustAnotherFarang

[WEBBYB808]

Its good the bars can't exploit the ladies and customers,  but hurt the trade!  No, its just moved it on line to apps, and now the ladies cut out the middle man.  Yes the bars hurt, but not the worker. oh! By the way, welcome  back everyone to the Sausage Festival  that the bars have turned into.  The future is coming faster than one believes, but the change is happening.   On line has empowered  the ladies.

[wombat]

2 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

would never work as a prostitute.

 

er....every female is a prostitute...they all get paid for their service to man in many different forms, however you want to look at it we pay.

[kingstonkid]

The trans community here has a lot of hurdles.  Someone ask why they don't get a real job.  As soon as most businesses see that they are Trans they will not hire them.  Most of the trans population that can get a job are the ones that have completed the surgery.  However like they said the issue then becomes ID.  I do find it interesting that you can change your name here but that you can not change my our gender even if you get all the surgeries and hormones.

 

As to making prostitution legal there are a great number of benefits for both sides.  If iot is legal then you can tax it. To a certain extent you can regulate it.  You can control the medical side of things and establish laws about how often they must be tested and restrict  the numbers in any given area.  You can also make it harder for non Thais to get into the business.

For the women it makes it easier for them to get help, for them to get medical assistance when they need it and it also allows them to seek assistance from predator handlers and bosses.

[Mac Mickmanus]

11 minutes ago, wombat said:

er....every female is a prostitute...they all get paid for their service to man in many different forms, however you want to look at it we pay.

Many Females are self sufficient , they have their own jobs , incomes and businesses and don't need to prostitute themselves for an income .

  Its not the 1940's anymore

[Thai Dan]

I don't normally respect calls of "white privilege" and other some other terms that are being bandied about for political purposes back home these days.  But if anyone cannot empathize with any people in difficult times, I believe that is the definition of privilege.  Perhaps those making fun of other human beings and the conditions they find themselves in should take a minute or two for a bit of self-reflection.

 

My two-cent's worth anyway.

[tonysilly]

31 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

Amazing how many on here take the moral high ground regarding the oldest profession in the world and without which, the likes of Pattaya would not exist.

Goid!!! Thai can and will survive with out!!