First, let me say that this is in no way intended as some form of moral judgement. It is a genuine question.

The standard explanation we are often given for women entering the trade is poverty, and there is certainly truth in that. Spend enough time talking to women on the game and you will find many come from difficult backgrounds. Broken homes, failed marriages, financial hardship, limited opportunities, no access to education, families that needed supporting, a child that needed raising, circumstances that pushed them into decisions they might never have considered under different conditions. That part is straightforward enough to understand.

What interests me more are the exceptions. Every so often you meet women who do not fit the stereotype at all. They are intelligent, articulate, moderately educated, and sometimes come from reasonably stable backgrounds. They are not starving, homeless, or trapped in situations with no alternatives or way out. In many cases they could plausibly pursue conventional careers without obvious limitation if they chose to.

Which raises an interesting question. If desperation is not the full explanation, why are they there at all?

The answer may be that some people do not value the same outcomes. Society tends to assume ambition means careers, promotions, qualifications, status, and a long climb toward financial comfort. But that model is not universal.

You watch one woman spend fifteen years climbing a corporate ladder.

Then you watch another woman step into an elevator.

Whether the elevator eventually breaks down is a different discussion entirely.

And that is where things start becoming interesting.

Some women may look at the conventional path and see years of stress, social pressures, office politics, long hours, and incremental financial progress. Then they look at trading sex for money and see something else entirely. A shortcut. Monetary gains arriving in days rather than years. Financial independence achieved long before their peers have finished building momentum in traditional careers.

To them, the decision may not feel irrational. It may feel like arithmetic. Even if every shortcut carries a cost, the calculation can still appear more favourable depending on what someone prioritises.

And perhaps that is what sex work has always been about. Not simply desperation, but the structured exchange of sacrifice. One thing given up in return for another.

For some women, that calculation is driven by necessity. For others, it is driven by opportunity. The circumstances differ, but the underlying logic often does not.

After all, most people sell something in life in exchange for money. A skill, knowledge, a service, their labour, or a product.

The only real disagreement is over what they are prepared to sell, and what they believe it is worth.

Addiction to drugs.

Sexual abuse while still at home, likely a father or other family member.

Coerced by "parents" so they can get paid.

Human Trafficking.

To pay off large debts from fear of reprisal.

Boyfriends who are disturbed.

Low self esteem, want for attention.

Along with what you mentioned.

7 hours ago, Alpha84 said:

Which raises an interesting question. If desperation is not the full explanation, why are they there at all?

Some women like to party and have sex. If they are not desperate, they can pick and choose customers to their liking, and set limits as to what they will and won't do. A desperate woman, on the other hand, might have to go with some very unsavory characters, and do things she would rather not do.

There is also the potential of a big score. My friend gives his GF 100,000 baht a month.

He met her as a sex worker. The relationship seems good to me, but who knows?

8 hours ago, Alpha84 said:

First, let me say that this is in no way intended as some form of moral judgement. It is a genuine question.

The standard explanation we are often given for women entering the trade is poverty, and there is certainly truth in that. Spend enough time talking to women on the game and you will find many come from difficult backgrounds. Broken homes, failed marriages, financial hardship, limited opportunities, no access to education, families that needed supporting, a child that needed raising, circumstances that pushed them into decisions they might never have considered under different conditions. That part is straightforward enough to understand.

What interests me more are the exceptions. Every so often you meet women who do not fit the stereotype at all. They are intelligent, articulate, moderately educated, and sometimes come from reasonably stable backgrounds. They are not starving, homeless, or trapped in situations with no alternatives or way out. In many cases they could plausibly pursue conventional careers without obvious limitation if they chose to.

Which raises an interesting question. If desperation is not the full explanation, why are they there at all?

The answer may be that some people do not value the same outcomes. Society tends to assume ambition means careers, promotions, qualifications, status, and a long climb toward financial comfort. But that model is not universal.

You watch one woman spend fifteen years climbing a corporate ladder.

Then you watch another woman step into an elevator.

Whether the elevator eventually breaks down is a different discussion entirely.

And that is where things start becoming interesting.

Some women may look at the conventional path and see years of stress, social pressures, office politics, long hours, and incremental financial progress. Then they look at trading sex for money and see something else entirely. A shortcut. Monetary gains arriving in days rather than years. Financial independence achieved long before their peers have finished building momentum in traditional careers.

To them, the decision may not feel irrational. It may feel like arithmetic. Even if every shortcut carries a cost, the calculation can still appear more favourable depending on what someone prioritises.

And perhaps that is what sex work has always been about. Not simply desperation, but the structured exchange of sacrifice. One thing given up in return for another.

For some women, that calculation is driven by necessity. For others, it is driven by opportunity. The circumstances differ, but the underlying logic often does not.

After all, most people sell something in life in exchange for money. A skill, knowledge, a service, their labour, or a product.

The only real disagreement is over what they are prepared to sell, and what they believe it is worth.

Men that fall on hard times don't go into the profession...it's a lifestyle choice, nothing more nothing less except for the ones that are trafficked

@Alpha84 Thanks for the laugh!

3 hours ago, Prubangboy said:

There is also the potential of a big score. My friend gives his GF 100,000 baht a month.

He met her as a sex worker. The relationship seems good to me, but who knows?

What a desperate chap your friend must be.......

He’s supporting the daughter and mother too.

Just dropped a half $1 million on a three bedroom condo from them all to live together

He’s known her one year.

I know people who have had good relationships with ex sex workers. It seems to work out about as well, as if you were with a straight woman back in the west.

11 hours ago, Alpha84 said:

Which raises an interesting question. If desperation is not the full explanation, why are they there at all?

they love sex and don't get enough of it...😆

Just wasted 4 minutes of my life reading this drivel

10 hours ago, Prubangboy said:

There is also the potential of a big score. My friend gives his GF 100,000 baht a month.

He met her as a sex worker. The relationship seems good to me, but who knows?

Is that Cameroni ?

9 hours ago, baansgr said:

Men that fall on hard times don't go into the profession...it's a lifestyle choice, nothing more nothing less except for the ones that are trafficked

Since we're talking in broad generalities, the comparison is somewhat flawed from the outset. It is highly unlikely that many men, you or I included, would ever find women queuing up to pay to bump-uglies.

Reverse the genders, however, and the economics, demand, and social dynamics change quite dramatically.

There are, of course, exceptions. Some younger men make very good money in female-oriented entertainment venues and companionship roles, but that market is considerably smaller and operates under a very different set of social expectations.

That said, for many people involved, I agree, it is less a matter of necessity and more a lifestyle choice. The industry is easier to enter, more normalised, and carries far less social stigma than many outsiders assume. While bar workers occupy the lower tier of the socio-totempole in the eyes of many ordinary Thais, the occupation itself is generally viewed with far less judgement than it would be in many Western societies.

7 hours ago, Prubangboy said:

I know people who have had good relationships with ex sex workers. It seems to work out about as well, as if you were with a straight woman back in the west.

Seems you are justifying your own relationship with an ex-sex worker there maybe ????

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

Is that Cameroni ?

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

Is that Cameroni ?

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

Is that Cameroni ?

No, but I may as well give an update.

With his help, she got paid for doing some voiceover work.

I know I’m not alone in wishing this ambitious young person success in her exciting new career venture.

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

Seems you are justifying your own relationship with an ex-sex worker there maybe ????

Mine has a management job at one of the big three banks. Very straight arrow.

Her two former lovers were very ungenerous in bed.

The ultra good girl who will go a little bad just for me - it’s astonishing to think that I’m still pulling that delicious rabbit out of the hat at age 73.

This is no time for false modesty. I gotta give myself some credit.

Hey, wishing you the same

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

Seems you are justifying your own relationship with an ex-sex worker there maybe ????

I would say that out here in the sticks of Issan, a good 70% of the wives of Farangs were sex workers, some even go back after their husbands die, or stop coming back, and look for another husband. There are a couple of bad apples in the bunch, but most are very happy to be out of the business. The other thing we have to remember is that they were not raised Judeo-Christian, so they carry different moral baggage when it comes to sex.

2 minutes ago, Prubangboy said:

Mine has a management job at one of the big three banks. Very straight arrow.

Her two former lovers were very ungenerous in bed.

The ultra good girl who will go a little bad just for me - it’s astonishing to think that I’m still pulling that delicious rabbit out of the hat at age 73.

This is no time for false modesty. I gotta give myself some credit.

Hey, wishing you the same

Is this the Christian one with a 'remote law job' or did you ditch her for the manager?

1 hour ago, Prubangboy said:

With his help, she got paid for doing some voiceover work.

Did she have a Wendler Glottoplasty?

55 minutes ago, Celsius said:

2 hours ago, Prubangboy said:

With his help, she got paid for doing some voiceover work.

Did she have a Wendler Glottoplasty?

LOL - and reduction cheiloplasty ?

Women here who choose this option are generally lazy, gold digging opportunists. Any decent Thai girl would get a modest job, lives modestly and supports her family best she can. I’ve seen hundreds if not thousands in factories around the country.

12 hours ago, bunnydrops said:

I would say that out here in the sticks of Issan, a good 70% of the wives of Farangs were sex workers, some even go back after their husbands die, or stop coming back, and look for another husband. There are a couple of bad apples in the bunch, but most are very happy to be out of the business. The other thing we have to remember is that they were not raised Judeo-Christian, so they carry different moral baggage when it comes to sex.

Agree, people always look through the lens of their own morality.

Thai people see sex as a normal bodily function like taking a dump.

5 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

Thai people see sex as a normal bodily function like taking a dump.

Absolutely. Nothing like having sex in Thailand while taking a dump. Some people even get the bum gun involved in the project.

1 hour ago, AustinRacing said:

Women here who choose this option are generally lazy, gold digging opportunists. Any decent Thai girl would get a modest job, lives modestly and supports her family best she can. I’ve seen hundreds if not thousands in factories around the country.

Surely that is just you imposing your moral standards on others?

The definition of "decent" is one of those standards.

If a person of either (any) gender voluntarily rents their body out for need or greed, or even just for fun, what business is it of you or me to judge?

As long as two key words "consenting adults" are applicable, then live and let live.

1 hour ago, emptypockets said:

Agree, people always look through the lens of their own morality.

Thai people see sex as a normal bodily function like taking a dump.

I tend to agree with that somewhat. I remember back in the day when I was single I spent some time in a massage shop with a very hot gal. After we were finished with a very satisfying session she didn't seem like she was in a hurry to go anywhere so we sat around chatting. I asked her if she was going to go to a club to try to find a long time guy and she started chuckling and said why would I do when I can just stay here in the shop and get four guys in the next few hours and that will give me an opportunity to see four different members. Why would I choose one over four, when I have that choice?

I call that a real sporting attitude and likely someone who gets some enjoyment out of her job.

3 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

Agree, people always look through the lens of their own morality.

Thai people see sex as a normal bodily function like taking a dump.

I think that description suits some of the farangs coming here as well.

Generalizing at its best

9 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

I tend to agree with that somewhat. I remember back in the day when I was single I spent some time in a massage shop with a very hot gal. After we were finished with a very satisfying session she didn't seem like she was in a hurry to go anywhere so we sat around chatting. I asked her if she was going to go to a club to try to find a long time guy and she started chuckling and said why would I do when I can just stay here in the shop and get four guys in the next few hours and that will give me an opportunity to see four different members. Why would I choose one over four, when I have that choice?

I call that a real sporting attitude and likely someone who gets some enjoyment out of her job.

Guess you don't know the reasons why women end up promiscuous, and the end result of that lifestyle. You see smiles that aren't real, and a deep rooted hurt that will never go away........https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3752789/.

Impulsive attitude to hide what they're feeling inside. Normal women need only one decent man to feel desired. Giving her body to many, especially those who go after these types, doesn't end up well.

Safe sex with a partner isn't the problem. With many it always is. It's usually the men who benefit from that lifestyle that encourage it. Sex used to fill a void never helps the woman. Very few women who actually benefit from it, with most it being detrimental..............https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/talking-about-men/202006/the-darker-side-of-hooking-up

Edited June 20Jun 20 by fredwiggy

Perhaps a lot of the derision heaped on sex workers comes from religious backgrounds, rather than moral. Most young men will have sex with any woman who holds still long enough! Society calls them 'Studs,' a somewhat positive title. But if a woman does the same, she's tarred with a far different brush!

In fact, there is no difference, except that the woman is smart enough to make a living out of it!
Getting laid doesn't put a permanent stain on a person. You can't see it. Unless a disease was transferred, you take a shower, and it's finished.
Fu@king is still just fu@king. Makes little difference who is doing it or why.

3 minutes ago, FolkGuitar said:

Perhaps a lot of the derision heaped on sex workers comes from religious backgrounds, rather than moral. Most young men will have sex with any woman who holds still long enough! Society calls them 'Studs,' a somewhat positive title. But if a woman does the same, she's tarred with a far different brush!

In fact, there is no difference, except that the woman is smart enough to make a living out of it!
Getting laid doesn't put a permanent stain on a person. You can't see it. Unless a disease was transferred, you take a shower, and it's finished.
Fu@king is still just fu@king. Makes little difference who is doing it or why.

The only thing that are studs are animals used to spread good genetics. Men aren't studs but mostly users. That's exactly why many will go with anything just to get off. Sex always puts something on people with a conscience. Those without look at women as conquests and not a person.

Scars from sex can be permanent, especially when it's from low self esteem or forced. You don't see the damage but they feel it. Men walk away, not knowing or some not caring what's left behind. Women carry that with them.

Not about religion but morality, and there's nothing wrong with morality as it means safe, consensual sex with someone you actually care about, less chances for STD's, unwanted children or those without father's around, and feelings of being used for how you look instead of what you are.

Edited June 20Jun 20 by fredwiggy

10 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Guess you don't know the reasons why women end up promiscuous, and the end result of that lifestyle. You see smiles that aren't real, and a deep rooted hurt that will never go away........https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3752789/.

Impulsive attitude to hide what they're feeling inside. Normal women need only one decent man to feel desired. Giving her body to many, especially those who go after these types, doesn't end up well.

Safe sex with a partner isn't the problem. With many it always is. It's usually the men who benefit from that lifestyle that encourage it. Sex used to fill a void never helps the woman. Very few women who actually benefit from it, with most it being detrimental..............https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/talking-about-men/202006/the-darker-side-of-hooking-up

You forget that girls are wired differently too, and the biology is not that different between men and women.

Except women are often a bit smarter about it when they have the experience, knowledge, and resources.

Many, or most men, only think about the score

Edited June 20Jun 20 by Hummin

1 minute ago, Hummin said:

You forget even girls is different wired and the biology is not that different from men and women, except women is a bit smarter about it when they have the experience and also the knowledge and resources. Many or most men? Only thinks about score,,,

I know they don't think the same as we do, and unless you really care about and try to understand what they go through, many are left out bearing those scars. They love sex as much as we do, but a woman is more likely to have immediate pain from an encounter than a man, who will hold the pain longer. Women usually put more emotions into a relationship, and when it ends the hurt hits harder at first.