Activists demand Parliament clean house on old prostitution law

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of DeviantArt

 

By Bob Scott

 

A groundswell for change surged through Parliament today, as Naiyana Suphaphueng of the Service Workers’ Friends Foundation, flanked by activists and supporters, submitted a bold draft bill to scrap the Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act B.E. 2539.

 

With over 13,000 signatures in tow, the proposal was formally handed over to Mr. Wan Muhammad Noor Matha, Speaker of the House of Representatives, with his spokesman, Mr. Kampee Dithakorn, receiving the document.

 

Naiyana, a passionate advocate for sex worker rights, decried the current law as blatantly discriminatory. She argued that the legislation, which morally condemns and seeks to control the provision of sexual services, has failed spectacularly in curbing the sex trade.

 

Instead, it has driven workers underground, robbing them of dignity, and exposing them to discrimination and exploitation at the hands of law enforcement and healthcare officials.

 

Despite government assertions that its measures fiercely protect the rights of those arrested, Ms. Naiyana’s camp is calling for the eradication of B.E. 2539.

 

 

The group’s underlying aim is to decriminalise consensual sex work, thereby ensuring that sex workers are recognised as legitimate members of the workforce with equal rights and human dignity akin to other professions.

 

Dithakorn, speaking on behalf of the House Speaker, expressed a willingness to review the draft bill meticulously through the legislative gauntlet, reported KhaoSod.

 

He promised to forward the proposal and its substantial supporter list to the House Speaker, aiming to secure equitable treatment for service providers. The campaign signals a pivotal moment in the fight for labour rights and societal respect for sex workers in Thailand.

 

Picture of Naiyana Suphaphueng of the Service Workers’ Friends Foundation, flanked by supporters, courtesy of KhaoSod

 

Thai sex workers protested outside Parliament in October last year, to follow up on a protection act proposal in Thailand. This marked the third protest on the matter.

 

Workers from entertainment venues, massage parlours, karaoke venues, go-go bars, as well as freelance sex workers and members of the Empower Foundation, hosted the event called “I come to demand my laws. Sex work is work.”

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2025-02-06

 

 

[sammieuk1]

Any service workers available to clean my aircon on Saturday my pipe needs blowing out 🤔

[potless]

20 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

 

Workers from entertainment venues, massage parlours, karaoke venues, go-go bars, as well as freelance sex workers and members of the Empower Foundation, hosted the event called “I come to demand my laws. Sex work is work.”

I wonder if they have considered that if legalised, their work will be taxable.

[ikke1959]

There is no prostitution in Thailand according to several media and RTP.. It are all hostesses and waitresses... But indeed Thailand keeps old laws in place and changing them is almost impossible and will take decades.. It is time that a new fresh young Government is taking over and revive the outdated laws and make the country modern and enter the 21st century. 

[MalcolmB]

6 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Sex work is work.”

That is why it is called a head job. Or a hand job.

 

 

Weed is much cheaper now it has been legalized, so I hope this makes hookers cheaper for us all now.

 

It will attract a lot more tourists.

 

[hotchilli]

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Instead, it has driven workers underground, robbing them of dignity, and exposing them to discrimination and exploitation at the hands of law enforcement and healthcare officials.

Underground?

It's as visible as the nose on your face..

Take a walk down most Walking streets, Nana complex, Soi Cowboy,and the rest in Pattaya or Phuket etc etc

[Thingamabob]

Not all the sex workers are in favour of being registered with the Thai Revenue Department.

[Purdey]

They will have to issue receipts for money received so that their income can be taxed. Maybe carry a credit card machine in their handbag. Then there is the annual audit if they are registered as a company or spot check by a tax inspector. 

In the real world they imagine they won't be bothered by any of these except they will get the benefits like social security. 

[OneMoreFarang]

"Activists demand Parliament clean house on old prostitution law"

 

Who cares about old prostitutes. How about the young prostitutes? 😉 

 

[kingstonkid]

19 hours ago, potless said:

I wonder if they have considered that if legalised, their work will be taxable.

Yeah but they will also be able for social services and medical.  My only question is

Why do we need to change.  We know there is no prostitution in Thailand 

[black tabby12345]

19 hours ago, potless said:

 if legalised, their work will be taxable.

 

As in many 1st world countries(that made it lawful).

Legalization means taxation on them; rights always come with the duties at the same time.

[potless]

55 minutes ago, kingstonkid said:

Yeah but they will also be able for social services and medical. 

I think they can already access those services just by being a Thai citizen. There may be benefits for the punter. Lady issues him with a card that gets stamped on each visit. Ten stamps and you get one free visit. Accrue points on your "ONE" loyalty card. Post a review on Trustpilot or Facebook and get a 10% reduction. 

 

1 hour ago, kingstonkid said:

We know there is no prostitution in Thailand 

Not quite true. I sometimes do it as a sideline to boost my pension.

[sungod]

18 minutes ago, potless said:

I think they can already access those services just by being a Thai citizen. There may be benefits for the punter. Lady issues him with a card that gets stamped on each visit. Ten stamps and you get one free visit. Accrue points on your "ONE" loyalty card. Post a review on Trustpilot or Facebook and get a 10% reduction. 

 

What happens if you leave a negative review?

[potless]

1 minute ago, sungod said:

What happens if you leave a negative review?

The husband beats you up.