UN urges Thailand to decriminalise sex work for healthcare access

[webfact]

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

The United Nations (UN) has recommended that Thailand should decriminalise sex work to ensure equal access to healthcare services and integrate victim support. This announcement was made during a press conference at the Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel, where the Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Girls discussed the state of women’s and girls’ rights in Thailand. This marks the UN’s first visit to Thailand following an invitation from the government.

 

Heina Lou and Ivana Krstic, representatives of the working group, assessed the progress and challenges in achieving gender equality and eliminating discrimination during their visit. Their discussions covered various aspects of the lives of women and girls, particularly those facing intersecting forms of discrimination. Meetings were held in Bangkok, Mae Sot, Chiang Mai, and Hat Yai, indicating a broad geographical engagement.

 

The report highlighted that Thailand is at a pivotal moment to become a regional exemplar for gender equality. The UN praised advancements in women’s and girls’ rights, noting improvements in legal and institutional frameworks, especially in education, healthcare, and employment.

 

However, concerns remain about significant policy enforcement gaps that impede achieving equality. The UN suggested that national mechanisms for women’s issues should receive financial and personnel support, with gender-sensitive budgeting being a constitutional commitment.

 

Krstic pointed out that technology contributes to sexual violence through cyberbullying and the harmful dissemination of personal information.

“We see technology as a part of the issue, leading to cyberbullying and harmful data exposure. It’s a challenge for the government to prevent harassment and exploitation of women.”

 

The recommendation to decriminalise sex work stems from a desire for fair healthcare access and victim integration. Despite this, practical obstacles such as inadequate staffing at support centres hinder equal access to essential services, reported KhaoSod.

 

The UN’s call for decriminalisation is intended to remove barriers for sex workers in accessing health services without fear of legal repercussions. This approach would also necessitate a holistic support system for victims, promoting equal service access. The move aligns with global shifts towards recognising sex work as legitimate and prioritising workers’ rights and well-being.

 

Source: The Thaiger 

-- 2024-12-14

 

 

[newbee2022]

I hope Thailand would follow UN.

It would mean more safety for prostitutes and less STDs

[watchcat]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The United Nations (UN) has recommended that Thailand should decriminalise sex work to ensure equal access to healthcare services

 

Well they can. My wife is not a sex worker but she'll get free healthcare.

[BarBoy]

I agree.

 

Should be legalized and regulated the world over.

 

Just like buying paracetamol OTC.

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

I hope Thailand would follow UN.

It would mean more safety for prostitutes and less STDs

I think the ladies of the night like it as it is now...their wealth is undetectable.

They may pay tax on the "bar salary" but what about their extra income with customers...

if they go legit the taxman may want some revenue back for the health services offered.

[Tropicalevo]

Always a tricky one this.

Sadly, the dinosaurs do not want change and they would never accept advice from outside groups.

Thai is Thai.

Change will only come from within.

 

[newbee2022]

48 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

I think the ladies of the night like it as it is now...their wealth is undetectable.

They may pay tax on the "bar salary" but what about their extra income with customers...

if they go legit the taxman may want some revenue back for the health services offered.

I reckon it's not much about taxes but health issues as I said.

Regularly checkups (monthly) would reduce STDs and benefit to both, customers and prostitutes.

[Briggsy]

The income from vice (outdated term, I know) is huge. There would be huge resistance to shifting that revenue from the black economy to receipted tax revenue. The vice lobby is very powerful.

 

It is interesting to note the headline focuses on the decriminalisation of prostitution despite the fact that was only one of many recommendations The focus of the conference was gender equality, discrimination and the institutional barriers that women face.

[Kinnock]

Taxing the oldest profession would raise more money than trying to tax foreigner's pensions.

[Kinnock]

Just now, Kinnock said:

Taxing the oldest profession would raise more money than trying to tax foreigner's pensions.

They could also charge VAT (Vaginal Added Tax)

[Artisi]

However, the rake-off and protection payments would impact too many influencial people, therefore it's doubtful it will ever get off the ground. 

[zmisha]

Decriminalization means taxation. They will pay a 30 percent tax and 1 percent of that 30 percent will go to health insurance for the taxpayers and the other 29 percent will go to Thailand's purchase of unbacked dollars to please the UN which is currently under US control. Welcome to the neocolonial future.

[zmisha]

2 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

I hope Thailand would follow UN.

It would mean more safety for prostitutes and less STDs

And the prices will be the same as in EU - 200$ per a good adventure instead of 1500 baht (or even 1000 sometimes).

[newbee2022]

14 minutes ago, zmisha said:

And the prices will be the same as in EU - 200$ per a good adventure instead of 1500 baht (or even 1000 sometimes).

If you say so. I'm not familiar with prostitutes 😂. (Joking)

[scottiejohn]

1 hour ago, Kinnock said:

Taxing the oldest profession would raise more money than trying to tax foreigner's pensions.

 

1 hour ago, Kinnock said:

They could also charge VAT (Vaginal Added Tax)

Would that mean that on my tax return I can now claim sex with a "lady of the night" as a legitimate expense!

[zmisha]

Just now, newbee2022 said:

If you say so. I'm not familiar with prostitutes 😂. (Joking)

They say there is one farang in Thailand with the monk visa. I found you finally.

[newbee2022]

Just now, zmisha said:

They say there is one foreigner in Thailand with the monk visa. I found you finally.

Good point😂. Thanks. 

[Lacessit]

Statistics suggest when prostitution is decriminalized, the incidence of rape for both sex workers and non-sex workers decreases.

[zmisha]

Just now, Lacessit said:

Statistics suggest when prostitution is decriminalized, the incidence of rape for both sex workers and non-sex workers decreases.

You should distinguish between de facto and de jure decriminalization. De facto decriminalization is good (and it was happened). But de jure decriminalization means 3x prices and taxation.