The International Union of Sex Workers (IUSW) has revealed that Thailand is home to 250,000 sex workers, one of the highest numbers worldwide. Despite this, the profession remains illegal in the country and workers are lacking basic employment rights.

 

In a recent report titled 'Sex Worker Statistics by Country, Gender', the IUSW provided a breakdown of the worldwide sex industry. The findings suggest there are over 50 million sex workers globally, with 41.6 million female and 10.4 million male. They predict this number will rise over time due to the increasing options for offering sexual services.

 

The report also ranked the countries with the highest number of sex workers. Standing at the top is China, with 5 million workers, followed by India (3 million), the US (1 million), the Philippines (800,000), Mexico (500,000), Germany (400,000), Brazil (250,000), Thailand (250,000), Bangladesh (200,000), and South Korea (147,000).

 

Although Thailand is in the top ten, the authorities continue to deny the presence of such workers, with the Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act making it illegal. The industry, however, is widely recognized.

 

Several activists, including sex workers, are fighting for its legalization. They aim for sex workers to have employment rights similar to those in other industries.

 

Empower Foundation's human rights activist Chatchalawan Mueangchan, has reported that the Protection of Sex Service Act was proposed over five years ago to the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (M-Society), but has seen no progress since.

 

Earlier this year, Chatchalawan and the sex industry representatives in Thailand repeated their call for progress on the act. They insist that sex work is a bona fide job and should thus have equivalent employment rights. The issue was highlighted again on Labour Day.

 

File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google

 

-- 2024-05-02

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well, at least they are in the top 10 for something!!

 

bob.

20 minutes ago, bob smith said:

well, at least they are in the top 10 for something!!

 

bob.

I'm surprised they are so far down the list!

Edited May 2, 20242 yr by BritManToo

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

sex workers, one of the highest numbers worldwide.

Thai's very smart. 

 

I don't see it as a negative. 

 

These girls from poor families selling sex to guy's who have money. 

 

I reckon it's only the loser's, the nerdy guys, the guys without money, they will be doing the complaining about this ranking of Thailand's sex workers. 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 2, 20242 yr by SAFETY FIRST

They have it wrong, I can confirm Thailand is No1 

The are all on the game you are not safe anywhere, 

Edited May 2, 20242 yr by ChipButty

Indonesia seems safe then. Terrible place I would never go there.🧐

To put things in perspective. Thailand same as China in this.

 

Country	Population	Sex-workers	%
Philippines	117337368	800000	0,68%
Germany	83294633	400000	0,48%
Mexico	128455567	500000	0,39%
China	1425671352	5000000	0,35%
Thailand	71801279	250000	0,35%
US	339996563	1000000	0,29%
South Korea	51784059	147000	0,28%
India	1428627663	3000000	0,21%
Bangladesh	172954319	200000	0,12%
Brazil	216422446	250000	0,12%

Seems surprisingly low?

Not sure how they came to the total of 250,000. I wonder if they asked people, "Are you a prostitute?"

 

And how many are doing it that nobody knows?? massage salons etc...... I think the number is much higher

17 minutes ago, bokningar said:

To put things in perspective. Thailand same as China in this.

 

Country	Population	Sex-workers	%
Philippines	117337368	800000	0,68%
Germany	83294633	400000	0,48%
Mexico	128455567	500000	0,39%
China	1425671352	5000000	0,35%
Thailand	71801279	250000	0,35%
US	339996563	1000000	0,29%
South Korea	51784059	147000	0,28%
India	1428627663	3000000	0,21%
Bangladesh	172954319	200000	0,12%
Brazil	216422446	250000	0,12%

 

Still in the top 10

It's not a bad thing. Sex workers move the economy.

Quote

the profession remains illegal in the country

 

now please if the "journalist" could cite the exact Law and article under which a prostitute could be charged for "freelancing", i.e. privately having sex in exchange for money ...

 

WHAT'S THIS! Fake news for sure. Thailand does not have any sex workers. Just ask the government or police. They will tell you sure. 

By extension it seems Thailand is the number 1 destination in the world to visit for misogynistic or lecherous men.

Edited May 2, 20242 yr by freeworld

2 minutes ago, freeworld said:

By extension it seems Thailand is the number 1 destination in the world to visit for misogynistic or lecherous men.

Men wanting sex is entirely normal IMHO.

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

I'm surprised they are so far down the list!

The list is misleading, as a percentage of population Thailand is similar to China.

I'll bet it's also way under the real figure, with massage shops having "extras" and sideline girls.

28 minutes ago, freeworld said:

By extension it seems Thailand is the number 1 destination in the world to visit for misogynistic or lecherous men.

How did you make the generalisation men getting sex in return for money are misogynists?

 

Be careful your halo does not strangle you.

Germany has 60% more sex workers than Thailand? Yea right. Sorry I can't take this report seriously.

 

I'd read more about it but unfortunately the OP didn't link to the actual report.

38 minutes ago, freeworld said:

By extension it seems Thailand is the number 1 destination in the world to visit for misogynistic or lecherous men.

So if I paid a chef to cook a meal for me, does that mean I hate food?

 

Jeez, I thought I had met just about all of them.  Guess I have a ways to go.

1 hour ago, Purdey said:

Not sure how they came to the total of 250,000. I wonder if they asked people, "Are you a prostitute?"

 

I wouldn't be surprised if there are 250,000 in Pattaya alone

2 hours ago, bob smith said:

well, at least they are in the top 10 for something!!

 

bob.

If all the Thai sex workers overseas came home they would be Number one. init 

Yay. The wannabe hub of hubs is now listed as a hub. Even if it's for something they don't want.

2 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The report also ranked the countries with the highest number of sex workers. Standing at the top is China, with 5 million workers

With a population of 1.4 Billion that's not a lot per capita, compared to Thailand's Population of just 67 Million Thailand would come out first maybe, but I can't be asked to do the Math.

23 minutes ago, ftpjtm said:

I wouldn't be surprised if there are 250,000 in Pattaya alone

I have seen estimates of 3000 bars left after covid, normal beer bars to more red light bars. How many agogo? 

 

How many prostitutes would that give you, 

 

15 000? 

Wow, that many? Means I have another 249,985 to 'meet', and at 71 looks like I have a busy social life ahead of me.

1 hour ago, JoseThailand said:

 

Still in the top 10

Percentage wise....Top 5

2 hours ago, bokningar said:

To put things in perspective. Thailand same as China in this.

 

Country	Population	Sex-workers	%
Philippines	117337368	800000	0,68%
Germany	83294633	400000	0,48%
Mexico	128455567	500000	0,39%
China	1425671352	5000000	0,35%
Thailand	71801279	250000	0,35%
US	339996563	1000000	0,29%
South Korea	51784059	147000	0,28%
India	1428627663	3000000	0,21%
Bangladesh	172954319	200000	0,12%
Brazil	216422446	250000	0,12%

It would be interesting to see how many locals work in those jobs in different countries.

It seems in some countries many of the sex workers are from other countries. 

3 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Thai's very smart

depressing really