3 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

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.

I partly agree, but people are still different. Not every woman carries it the same way, and not every man is emotionally simple either.

That is why I do not like one fixed story. Some are hurt, some are damaged, some make choices, and some know exactly what they are doing. Some even enjoy the lifestyle because they know their options.

Many people do not fit into a normal fixed life, and for Thai girls with limited options, that can narrow the road even more.

From what I have seen, ADHD and other mental health challenges do play a part for some. The freelance lifestyle can also give them more range, freedom, and room to recover than a fixed A4 life.

The sugar daddy concept is not always such a hard life for some either. It can be quite beneficial if they are structured, disciplined, and know what they are doing.

The more successful ones often have strong drive, and some are also driven by perfectionism.

3 hours 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 agree- this is the case for me and 3 close friends- all living in Udon Thani- all happy and all fully aware our partners were sex workers.

Once the lady passes 40 she often realises that the days of having fun in bars/clubs etc are best forgotten

A different more content mind set seems to apply

2 hours ago, VBF said:

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.

Never claimed to be my business. This generalization is shared with ordinary Thais, the kind of people I live and work with. Those farangs whose interactions with Thais is predominantly limited to bar girls tend to have more sympathy for them. The ordinary Thais despise them for making them look bad. That’s why the parents of bar girls in Issan (mostly) lie about their daughter’s occupation down south.

Edited June 20Jun 20 by AustinRacing

3 hours 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.

No they don’t. Maybe you’re referring to specific demographics such as the bar girls. Ordinary Thais are nothing like that.

2 minutes ago, AustinRacing said:

2 hours ago, VBF said:

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.

Never claimed to be my business. This generalization is shared with ordinary Thais , the kind of people I live and work with. Those farangs whose interactions with Thais is predominantly limited to bar girls tend to have more sympathy for them. The ordinary Thais despise them for making them look bad. That’s why the parents of bar girls in Issan (mostly) lie about their daughter occupation down south.

Austin is broadly correct, at least from my own experience working and socialising with Thais outside the entertainment industry. Many hold surprisingly negative views of those involved in that world, despite its visibility and economic significance.

Thailand is, in many respects, a reserved society. Public judgement is often understated, uncomfortable realities are frequently left unspoken, and there is a strong tendency towards "if I don't acknowledge it, it doesn't exist".

Unless a victim of a crime comes from a higher social standing or the circumstances become impossible to ignore, many issues are quietly swept aside and life moves on.

Beneath that surface, however, there is often considerable social judgement. Middle-class Thais, professionals, civil servants and business owners frequently view the sex industry with a degree of disdain, even while accepting its existence as part of the social landscape. The irony is that these same attitudes can sometimes be accompanied by clear class prejudice and, in some cases, regional bias.

There is also a distinction made between different parts of the industry. A wealthy man's mia noi, hostesses in upscale venues, or women attached to affluent social circles are often viewed very differently from those working in Pattaya, Nana or Soi Cowboy. The reality may be similar, but the labels applied are not. One is described as "company", "a companion", or "taken care of"; the other is labelled a prostitute. Social status often determines the language used far more than the actual circumstances.

The same dynamic exists within families. Parents in rural areas may know perfectly well that their daughter is not earning factory wages or waitressing income while sending substantial amounts of money home from a tourist city. Yet many choose not to ask questions. Some prefer plausible deniability, others simply prioritise the financial support being provided. It is often less a case of being fooled and more a mutual understanding that certain truths are best left unspoken.

As with most things in Thailand, the reality is far more nuanced than either complete acceptance or outright condemnation. Public tolerance, private judgement, social class and economic necessity all sit alongside one another, often in contradiction.

But one think is clear - The general Thai population would look down on on those females working in the 'sex industry' as almost a 'sub-caste' of society where there is no overlap whatsoever. Meanwhile many Westener's who socialise within that environment are far more acceptant because we've been softened by exposure.

3 minutes ago, AustinRacing said:

3 hours 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.

No they don’t. Maybe you’re referring to specific demographics such as the bar girls. Ordinary Thais are nothing like that.

Again, agreed.

The irony is that "emptypockets" makes a sweeping statement through the lens of his own morality and personal observations, as though there is a single Thai view on the subject. There isn't.

Having interacted with people across a broad cross-section of Thai society, I've found opinions vary enormously depending on education, wealth, social standing, family background and geography.

At one end of the spectrum, among some of the poorest communities, it can be viewed as a route to financial security, social mobility, or simply a means of supporting family members. At the other end, among those who are financially independent and socially established, it is often regarded with varying degrees of disapproval, embarrassment or outright disgust.

The reality is that Thailand's attitudes towards the sex trade are neither uniform nor simple. They exist on a spectrum.

Some see it as an economic necessity, some as a legitimate occupation, some as an unfortunate reality, and others as morally objectionable. To suggest that all Thais think one way or another is every bit as flawed as the stereotypes being criticised in the first place.

15 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Austin is broadly correct, at least from my own experience working and socialising with Thais outside the entertainment industry. Many hold surprisingly negative views of those involved in that world, despite its visibility and economic significance.

Thailand is, in many respects, a reserved society. Public judgement is often understated, uncomfortable realities are frequently left unspoken, and there is a strong tendency towards "if I don't acknowledge it, it doesn't exist".

Unless a victim of a crime comes from a higher social standing or the circumstances become impossible to ignore, many issues are quietly swept aside and life moves on.

Beneath that surface, however, there is often considerable social judgement. Middle-class Thais, professionals, civil servants and business owners frequently view the sex industry with a degree of disdain, even while accepting its existence as part of the social landscape. The irony is that these same attitudes can sometimes be accompanied by clear class prejudice and, in some cases, regional bias.

There is also a distinction made between different parts of the industry. A wealthy man's mia noi, hostesses in upscale venues, or women attached to affluent social circles are often viewed very differently from those working in Pattaya, Nana or Soi Cowboy. The reality may be similar, but the labels applied are not. One is described as "company", "a companion", or "taken care of"; the other is labelled a prostitute. Social status often determines the language used far more than the actual circumstances.

The same dynamic exists within families. Parents in rural areas may know perfectly well that their daughter is not earning factory wages or waitressing income while sending substantial amounts of money home from a tourist city. Yet many choose not to ask questions. Some prefer plausible deniability, others simply prioritise the financial support being provided. It is often less a case of being fooled and more a mutual understanding that certain truths are best left unspoken.

As with most things in Thailand, the reality is far more nuanced than either complete acceptance or outright condemnation. Public tolerance, private judgement, social class and economic necessity all sit alongside one another, often in contradiction.

But one think is clear - The general Thai population would look down on on those females working in the 'sex industry' as almost a 'sub-caste' of society where there is no overlap whatsoever. Meanwhile many Westener's who socialise within that environment are far more acceptant because we've been softened by exposure.

You should have your own mainstream column and at least get remunerated for penning your thoughts and take on life..........................for all I know though, you may already have........!

Or maybe they just like cock?

34 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Again, agreed.

The irony is that "emptypockets" makes a sweeping statement through the lens of his own morality and personal observations, as though there is a single Thai view on the subject. There isn't.

Having interacted with people across a broad cross-section of Thai society, I've found opinions vary enormously depending on education, wealth, social standing, family background and geography.

At one end of the spectrum, among some of the poorest communities, it can be viewed as a route to financial security, social mobility, or simply a means of supporting family members. At the other end, among those who are financially independent and socially established, it is often regarded with varying degrees of disapproval, embarrassment or outright disgust.

The reality is that Thailand's attitudes towards the sex trade are neither uniform nor simple. They exist on a spectrum.

Some see it as an economic necessity, some as a legitimate occupation, some as an unfortunate reality, and others as morally objectionable. To suggest that all Thais think one way or another is every bit as flawed as the stereotypes being criticised in the first place.

I want talking about bar girls and the like, merely giving my opinion that the Thai attitude to sex is much different from the Judeo-Christian view that ,I guess, the majority of posters subscribe to.

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

Yawn.

On 6/19/2026 at 9:18 AM, 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

On 6/19/2026 at 9:18 AM, baansgr said:

Men that fall on hard times don't go into the profession

Stupefyingly ridiculous statement.

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

There is also a distinction made between different parts of the industry. A wealthy man's mia noi, hostesses in upscale venues, or women attached to affluent social circles are often viewed very differently from those working in Pattaya, Nana or Soi Cowboy. The reality may be similar, but the labels applied are not. One is described as "company", "a companion", or "taken care of"; the other is labelled a prostitute. Social status often determines the language used far more than the actual circumstances.

In fact, not that different from the view in Britain where a "high class" mistress may be viewed differently from a massage lady and again differently from "some slapper who picks up blokes in a pub". In fact they're all performing the same role, that of prostitute, whore, tart as you will. And, of course, oddly, in Thailand prostitution is technically illegal, in Britain it is not.

But again I say, if all those involved are consenting adults, live and let live.

36 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

I want talking about bar girls and the like, merely giving my opinion that the Thai attitude to sex is much different from the Judeo-Christian view that ,I guess, the majority of posters subscribe to.

The whole "Thai attitude to sex is different from Judeo-Christian values" argument is often little more than an attempt to shoehorn a pseudo-cultural justification for mongering and cheap sex into the discussion.

More often than not, what is being presented as cultural insight is simply personal preference dressed up as anthropology.

The problem is that many arrive in Thailand carrying a very narrow frame of reference, then mistake that limited experience for a universal truth.

For some, the attraction is obvious. They had so little game back home they couldn't pull a tart in a women's detention centre back home. Then they arrive in Thailand and suddenly find themselves receiving attention, companionship and validation that was previously absent from their lives.

Others arrive later in life and discover that financial security, foreign status and relative wealth dramatically alter how they are perceived. It is hardly surprising that this reshapes their view of relationships, society and even Thailand itself.

The difficulty is that what they are experiencing is not Thailand. It is a very specific subset of Thailand.

When your social circle consists largely of bar workers, expats, nightlife venues, the cashier you're dating, and others orbiting the same ecosystem, or even simply among villagers in the deepest countriside, or at the other end of the spectrum 'remaining within an expat bubble' the version of "normal" quickly becomes detached from the reality experienced by most Thais. The result is a heavily distorted lens through which wider society is judged and interpreted.

Those of us who have spent decades here, moving between professional circles, family networks, business environments and everyday Thai society, tend to see a far more nuanced picture. We have the opportunity to move between social strata rather than remaining confined to one small corner of it.

Yet many never take that opportunity. Instead, they normalise their own limited experiences and project them onto an entire country of 70 million people.

That is why so many posters (such as some in this thread) confidently insist that the sex trade is broadly accepted and normalised by wider Thai society. They are not describing Thailand as a whole. They are describing the small echo chamber they inhabit and mistaking it for the nation itself.

The irony is that the loudest advocates of this theory are often the very people whose exposure to Thailand begins and ends at the bar stool, interacting with the brass and their closest Thai mate is a motorcycle rider who'll have a beer with him from time to time.

Of course, that is a rather simplistic view of a far more complex society. However, one advantage many foreigners have is the ability to move between social strata. We can be having a beer with a Grab driver one day and dinner with a Thai CEO the next. Ironically, many Thais themselves rarely move between such circles, and there is absolutely judgement between them. Call it snobbery if you like, but it exists.

If someone genuinely believes the sex trade is widely accepted and normalised throughout Thai society, it usually says less about Thailand and more about the narrow social bubble they inhabit.

Spend enough time around professionals, business owners and established middle-class families, and you'll quickly discover that judgement towards those in the sex-trade is very much alive and well and it has nothing to do with any differences between Buddhism and Judeo-Christian view points - Its simple human nature for the same divisions occur across society on a global level.

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

The whole "Thai attitude to sex is different from Judeo-Christian values" argument is often little more than an attempt to shoehorn a pseudo-cultural justification for mongering and cheap sex into the discussion.

More often than not, what is being presented as cultural insight is simply personal preference dressed up as anthropology.

The problem is that many arrive in Thailand carrying a very narrow frame of reference, then mistake that limited experience for a universal truth.

For some, the attraction is obvious. They had so little game back home they couldn't pull a tart in a women's detention centre back home. Then they arrive in Thailand and suddenly find themselves receiving attention, companionship and validation that was previously absent from their lives.

Others arrive later in life and discover that financial security, foreign status and relative wealth dramatically alter how they are perceived. It is hardly surprising that this reshapes their view of relationships, society and even Thailand itself.

The difficulty is that what they are experiencing is not Thailand. It is a very specific subset of Thailand.

When your social circle consists largely of bar workers, expats, nightlife venues, the cashier you're dating, and others orbiting the same ecosystem, or even simply among villagers in the deepest countriside, or at the other end of the spectrum 'remaining within an expat bubble' the version of "normal" quickly becomes detached from the reality experienced by most Thais. The result is a heavily distorted lens through which wider society is judged and interpreted.

Those of us who have spent decades here, moving between professional circles, family networks, business environments and everyday Thai society, tend to see a far more nuanced picture. We have the opportunity to move between social strata rather than remaining confined to one small corner of it.

Yet many never take that opportunity. Instead, they normalise their own limited experiences and project them onto an entire country of 70 million people.

That is why so many posters (such as some in this thread) confidently insist that the sex trade is broadly accepted and normalised by wider Thai society. They are not describing Thailand as a whole. They are describing the small echo chamber they inhabit and mistaking it for the nation itself.

The irony is that the loudest advocates of this theory are often the very people whose exposure to Thailand begins and ends at the bar stool, interacting with the brass and their closest Thai mate is a motorcycle rider who'll have a beer with him from time to time.

Of course, that is a rather simplistic view of a far more complex society. However, one advantage many foreigners have is the ability to move between social strata. We can be having a beer with a Grab driver one day and dinner with a Thai CEO the next. Ironically, many Thais themselves rarely move between such circles, and there is absolutely judgement between them. Call it snobbery if you like, but it exists.

If someone genuinely believes the sex trade is widely accepted and normalised throughout Thai society, it usually says less about Thailand and more about the narrow social bubble they inhabit.

Spend enough time around professionals, business owners and established middle-class families, and you'll quickly discover that judgement towards those in the sex-trade is very much alive and well and it has nothing to do with any differences between Buddhism and Judeo-Christian view points - Its simple human nature for the same divisions occur across society on a global level.

There you go with the sex trade thing again.

I specifically said I was not talking about that.

Pointless in continuing this conversation.

Have a good evening.

Edited June 20Jun 20 by emptypockets

23 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

There you go with the sex trade thing again.

I specifically said I was not talking about that.

Pointless in continuing this conversation.

Have a good evening.

Some folks just can’t help it given that they’re involved in it all the time.

6 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

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?

Hard to imagine that as a sex worker she would be eagerly awaiting more sex when she does that job day in day out. I think perhaps you misinterpreted her motivation for financial gain as sexual desire. It comes down to mathematics. If she stays in the shop, she can do four short times within a few hours, potentially earning more money with less aggravation than spending an entire night with just one long time customer.

Another factor is convenience. In the shop, all she has to do is sit and wait for the punters to stroll in. If she goes out to the clubs, she has to make the effort to look for men herself. That takes more time and more energy.

She may also simply dislike the idea of spending the night with a stranger. The short times in the shop can be viewed as going to work, doing the job, and then going home to maintain a separate private life. She does not have to end up in a strange bed with a stranger for an entire night, possibly in the company of someone who is drunk or someone you do not particularly like.

On 6/19/2026 at 12:08 PM, Prubangboy said:

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.

While that's through, some girls have plowed through a thousand dick as opposed to the dozen or so we might expect in a marital partner. Depends if you can't stop thinking about that or if she chooses not to tell you.

9 hours 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.

Indeed. And those factories pay so well. You can build a home, expect promotions and yearly bonuses. /s

9 hours ago, BilllyGOAT said:

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

True story. I was sitting in the outdoor tables at Bush Garden with a Canadian tourist friend. A skinny teen came in off the street and asked to sit down. A little later, she said she had to go to the toilet and asked if I wanted to come. I certainly did want to come! Always time for a BJ while a speed freak is taking a dump. My buddy was gobsmacked, maybe with ency!

5 hours ago, AustinRacing said:

Never claimed to be my business. This generalization is shared with ordinary Thais, the kind of people I live and work with. Those farangs whose interactions with Thais is predominantly limited to bar girls tend to have more sympathy for them. The ordinary Thais despise them for making them look bad. That’s why the parents of bar girls in Issan (mostly) lie about their daughter’s occupation down south.

What's really strange to me is that any farang who is married to or having a long-term relationship with an ex-bargirl, will soon let you know she was a sex worker.

Why? Mostly, I wouldn't have even thought about that.

5 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Austin is broadly correct, at least from my own experience working and socialising with Thais outside the entertainment industry. Many hold surprisingly negative views of those involved in that world, despite its visibility and economic significance.

Thailand is, in many respects, a reserved society. Public judgement is often understated, uncomfortable realities are frequently left unspoken, and there is a strong tendency towards "if I don't acknowledge it, it doesn't exist".

Unless a victim of a crime comes from a higher social standing or the circumstances become impossible to ignore, many issues are quietly swept aside and life moves on.

Beneath that surface, however, there is often considerable social judgement. Middle-class Thais, professionals, civil servants and business owners frequently view the sex industry with a degree of disdain, even while accepting its existence as part of the social landscape. The irony is that these same attitudes can sometimes be accompanied by clear class prejudice and, in some cases, regional bias.

There is also a distinction made between different parts of the industry. A wealthy man's mia noi, hostesses in upscale venues, or women attached to affluent social circles are often viewed very differently from those working in Pattaya, Nana or Soi Cowboy. The reality may be similar, but the labels applied are not. One is described as "company", "a companion", or "taken care of"; the other is labelled a prostitute. Social status often determines the language used far more than the actual circumstances.

The same dynamic exists within families. Parents in rural areas may know perfectly well that their daughter is not earning factory wages or waitressing income while sending substantial amounts of money home from a tourist city. Yet many choose not to ask questions. Some prefer plausible deniability, others simply prioritise the financial support being provided. It is often less a case of being fooled and more a mutual understanding that certain truths are best left unspoken.

As with most things in Thailand, the reality is far more nuanced than either complete acceptance or outright condemnation. Public tolerance, private judgement, social class and economic necessity all sit alongside one another, often in contradiction.

But one think is clear - The general Thai population would look down on on those females working in the 'sex industry' as almost a 'sub-caste' of society where there is no overlap whatsoever. Meanwhile many Westener's who socialise within that environment are far more acceptant because we've been softened by exposure.

I have not yet figured out if that subset in upstair bars are considered higher or lower class. I mean the women who can open a beer bottle, shoot out darts, the married couple that has sex on a motorcycle in numerous bars. I've never been tempted to take home one of those beer bottle girls. The STD they may have is vagina dentata.

2 hours ago, emptypockets said:

There you go with the sex trade thing again.

I specifically said I was not talking about that.

No - you specificially said: "I want talking about bar girls" - which is rather misleading when intending the opposite.

Given your later comment, I think you meant to write... "I don't want to discuss bar girls and the like"... Or "I'm not discussing bar girls and the like".... (its ok if English is not a primary language - but dont get upset if your intended sentiment is not understood because of a mistake).

Moving on - the core flaw in the argument remains. The suggest gulf between "Judeo-Christian values" and Thai Buddhist values on sex is often vastly overstated - in this case with the implication that Thai's have a more relaxed approach than westerners borne of more Judeo-Christian values - Spend enough time navigating wider Thai society and you will find far more overlap than difference, and perhaps even the opposite of your suggestion.

If anything, the more interesting distinction is the social stigma attached to reputation - rather than religion or culture.

Thailand carries a unique social dynamic whereby a "good girl" is often expected to demonstrate that she is, in fact, a good girl. In a society where transactional relationships and the sex trade has a strong reputation, even when swept under the carpet, many women are acutely aware of the need to distinguish themselves from that world. Reputation matters, family opinion matters, and appearances matter - the sex trade simply cannot be ignored even if you are referring specifically to the attitudes of those well outside of the industry

The irony is that this can actually produce more conservative dating behaviour than many Westerners expect. As youngster, in the UK casual sex was arguably far more common than it is amongst many ordinary Thai women of the same age today - particularly when younger. Not because of Christianity, Buddhism, or any great moral divide, but because the social incentives are different.

In that sense, the visibility of the sex industry acts as a double-edged sword. It does not necessarily make wider Thai society more sexually liberal. If anything, it can encourage many women to be more selective, more cautious, and more conscious of how they are perceived.

So when looking for any reason where there may be different or more relaxed or disciplined attitude towards sex, we first need ensure we are not misunderstanding the very society they are trying to describe and ignore some of key facet that influences it.

Friend of mine in Pattaya (where else!) used to pick a girl and then let her pick a friend to bring along. He had lots of toys. One of them used a cigar, just like Bill Clinton!

4 hours ago, VBF said:

But again I say, if all those involved are consenting adults, live and let live.

100% agree. What amuses me is not the arrangement itself, but the people determined to pull the wool over their own eyes about it.

If an older chap enjoys the company of a younger woman, understands precisely why she is there, and both parties are getting what they want from the arrangement, then good luck to them. There is something refreshingly honest about that.

What I find entertaining are those who feel compelled to reinvent the story.

The recent Cameroni thread was a perfect example. Some people will take the most obvious transaction imaginable and expend extraordinary effort trying to rebrand it as a fairy tale.

They'll polish a turd, roll it in glitter, place it on a velvet cushion and proudly present it as a diamond, all while everyone else can see they're trying pass off a donkey as a Derby winner.

The reality is rarely the embarrassing part. The self-deception often is.

2 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Friend of mine in Pattaya (where else!) used to pick a girl and then let her pick a friend to bring along. He had lots of toys. One of them used a cigar, just like Bill Clinton!

The best thing with potential Thailand expat friends is those who brag about the professionals they have conquered and played with 😴

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

No - you specificially said: "I want talking about bar girls" - which is rather misleading when intending the opposite.

Given your later comment, I think you meant to write... "I don't want to discuss bar girls and the like"... Or "I'm not discussing bar girls and the like".... (its ok if English is not a primary language - but dont get upset if your intended sentiment is not understood because of a mistake).

Moving on - the core flaw in the argument remains. The suggest gulf between "Judeo-Christian values" and Thai Buddhist values on sex is often vastly overstated - in this case with the implication that Thai's have a more relaxed approach than westerners borne of more Judeo-Christian values - Spend enough time navigating wider Thai society and you will find far more overlap than difference, and perhaps even the opposite of your suggestion.

If anything, the more interesting distinction is the social stigma attached to reputation - rather than religion or culture.

Thailand carries a unique social dynamic whereby a "good girl" is often expected to demonstrate that she is, in fact, a good girl. In a society where transactional relationships and the sex trade has a strong reputation, even when swept under the carpet, many women are acutely aware of the need to distinguish themselves from that world. Reputation matters, family opinion matters, and appearances matter - the sex trade simply cannot be ignored even if you are referring specifically to the attitudes of those well outside of the industry

The irony is that this can actually produce more conservative dating behaviour than many Westerners expect. As youngster, in the UK casual sex was arguably far more common than it is amongst many ordinary Thai women of the same age today - particularly when younger. Not because of Christianity, Buddhism, or any great moral divide, but because the social incentives are different.

In that sense, the visibility of the sex industry acts as a double-edged sword. It does not necessarily make wider Thai society more sexually liberal. If anything, it can encourage many women to be more selective, more cautious, and more conscious of how they are perceived.

So when looking for any reason where there may be different or more relaxed or disciplined attitude towards sex, we first need ensure we are not misunderstanding the very society they are trying to describe and ignore some of key facet that influences it.

The I want talking was meant to be I wasn't talking but the predictive text beat me. I should have proof read my post. But, there ya go.

6 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

The I want talking was meant to be I wasn't talking but the predictive text beat me. I should have proof read my post. But, there ya go.

No worries - my last typo nearly cost me my marriage - after I texted the ball & chain "I'm with Stu" auto corrected to "I'm with sluts"....

... I've cooked my own dinner.

I've lived here 44 years, and don't know enough about Thai culture to be sure, but I think there is a class division and also a religious division. As to the class division, many people have told me hi-so girls try to pretend they are virgins, whereas middle-class and poor people accept that sex is a natural thing and become active at age between 14-16. I have also heard that while most Thais do not hold a woman's past against her, there are some who believe sex outside of marriage is immoral and must be punished. I've never met one, but all my social relations have been with middle-class and poor people. One night, I picked up a girl at the Thermae, who claimed to be an accountant. She said prostitution was a much easier way to make money. I've known (not well) a couple of girls who were said to rent their bodies "when they needed money."