Thailand's sex trade remains illegal, but its presence is highly visible from Soi Cowboy in Bangkok's Sukhumvit area to Pattaya's Walking Street, where nightlife businesses continue to draw visitors from around the world.

The issue has again come under scrutiny following the case of an Australian man who murdered a 17-year-old Thai teenager, putting the safety of sex workers and Thailand's night-time economy in the spotlight.

A large and visible informal economy

Thailand has long been linked with sex tourism, particularly in Pattaya, despite tourism authorities repeatedly distancing themselves from that market as they promote the country as a premium destination for higher-spending travellers.

Surang Janyam, director of the Service Workers in Group Foundation, known as Swing, said the country has more than 200,000 sex workers. The majority are in Bangkok and Pattaya, she said.

Swing is a non-profit organisation which promotes equal rights and provides education and healthcare for service workers. Ms Surang said the industry did not slow down after the pandemic, even though many entertainment venues shut their doors.

Some workers moved from venues to freelance work advertised through social media platforms, she said. Swing has also observed that the workforce is becoming more diverse in gender, reflecting changing demand.

Pattaya is estimated to be home to more than 50,000 sex workers. The scale of its night-time economy is believed to generate between 100 billion and 200 billion baht each year, with Walking Street widely seen as the centre of the city's sex industry.

"Sex workers are part of the tourism sector. They provide services to tourists, who also travel to other parts of the city and take part in a range of other activities," Ms Surang said.

Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, president of the Association of the Chonburi Tourism Federation, said tourism operators were trying to market Pattaya as a family-oriented destination, but could not deny the existence of sex work.

He said some entertainment venues and massage parlours were known to covertly offer sexual services. That grey area, he argued, creates opportunities for officials to demand bribes or extort money from workers.

Arrests fall as calls for reform grow

Royal Thai Police data show that 19,648 people were arrested for offences under the prostitution law in 2023, down from 38,139 arrests in 2022.

Ms Surang said the illegal status of sex work leaves workers effectively outside the formal employment system and wider economy, without meaningful power to negotiate their livelihoods.

"The law treats them merely as objects rather than human beings entitled to certain rights," she said.

She said Thailand's reputation as being open to foreign tourists was reflected in abuse and crimes against sex workers reported in the media. Swing works with workers who have been assaulted or abused by clients, helping them coordinate with police to seek arrests and prosecutions.

The foundation helped the family of a transgender woman who was murdered and mutilated to coordinate the case through to trial and an order for compensation. It also assisted the family of the teenager murdered by the Australian man.

Ms Surang said police had become more aware of issues affecting sex workers and their broader social impact. Officers were now less likely to view workers purely as criminals or pursue excessive or exaggerated charges against them, she said.

Swing regularly brings police officers and sex workers together in Pattaya workshops intended to improve understanding and reduce conflict.

Under the 2022 Act on the Imposition of Regulatory Fines, offences under Section 5 of the prostitution law are punishable only by fines and are no longer treated as criminal offences. Authority to impose the fines was transferred from police to officials under the Social Development and Human Security Ministry.

In many cases, Ms Surang said, workers may be ordered to perform community service rather than serve a prison sentence.

Zoning proposal divides campaigners

Swing wants the 1996 law abolished, decriminalising sex work for people aged 18 and over. Ms Surang said this would allow workers to receive labour protection, join the social security system, access welfare and pay taxes.

She argued that stronger state oversight would also help reduce crimes against sex workers. However, Swing said a major challenge after decriminalisation would be training law enforcement and administrative officials to work under a new system.

"Decriminalising sex work does not necessarily mean that more people will choose to enter the profession," Ms Surang said, adding that anti-human-trafficking laws could still be enforced to protect minors and people coerced into sex work.

While waiting for the law to be repealed, Swing is seeking a ministerial regulation guaranteeing fair wages, social welfare and labour rights for workers.

Mr Thanet instead proposed a designated red-light district with zoning and regulated oversight, similar to systems in other countries. He said this would limit the effect on visitors who do not want to encounter such activity, while improving safety and Pattaya's wider brand image.

Ms Surang disagreed, saying a restricted zone could increase bribery and corruption if uncertainty remained over services outside the approved area.

Join the discussion?

11 August 2026

View full article

13 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

Mr Thanet instead proposed a designated red-light district with zoning and regulated oversight, similar to systems in other countries.

I propose giving social security payments and welfare to Thai, young mothers, also garnishing the wages of the deadbeat fathers who has abandoned the child and mother.

You'll find that the number of sex workers would drop dramatically.

These poor girls don't choose to have an old, fat, smelly foreigner on top of them to earn a living, they do this work to provide for their family.

These girls would much prefer to be living in the village with their children and their families

Edited August 10Aug 10 by SAFETY FIRST

38 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I propose giving social security payments and welfare to Thai, young mothers, also garnishing the wages of the deadbeat fathers who has abandoned the child and mother.

You'll find that the number of sex workers would drop dramatically.

These poor girls don't choose to have an old, fat, smelly foreigner on top of them to earn a living, they do this work to provide for their family.

These girls would much prefer to be living in the village with their children and their fami

i do agree with you, but i would add that these women choose prostitution themselves, and no one forces them into it ...

because for them, it is an easier way to earn more money than doing ordinary hard work, such as the majority of thai single mothers who make a living from poorly paid jobs ...

7 minutes ago, motdaeng said:

i do agree with you, but i would add that these women choose prostitution themselves, and no one forces them into it ...

because for them, it is an easier way to earn more money than doing ordinary hard work, such as the majority of thai single mothers who make a living from poorly paid jobs ...

And the extra money they make being away from their children goes to rent in a larger city, so there's no real profit and only the negative of being away from the children they created with those useless locals.

The fact that 40% of children are raised here by grandparents, which is the highest worldwide, also has it's negatives as many of those caregivers are illiterate, too old to do anything but the basics, and allow many children free reign to do what they want, with many things being unsafe.

The women are better off staying at home and working local, making less money but having a house to live in, and around those children. One absent parent is bad enough, two are much worse.

1 hour ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

These poor girls don't choose to have an old, fat, smelly foreigner on top of them to earn a living, they do this work to provide for their family.

Another guy who has lived in Pattaya or frequents Pattaya, yet suspiciously bashes the entire industry.

Why don't you move to Hua Hin if the Pattaya scene bothers you so much?

And as though we are expected to believe you have lived there for years and never partaken.
I mean, the beaches are cleaner in Hua Hin. Makes no sense why you would stay in Pattaya.

Yes, a lot of farangs are overweight. True.

Edited August 10Aug 10 by save the frogs

Typically Thailand.. they close their eyes for things that they don't want to see.. Sex workers don't exist in Thailand, while the country is known for the sex with Pattaya the sexcapital of the world. It is a part of tourism and they bring in a lot of money for the country. Tourists don't come only for them but also for holiday. In fact they should be rewarded instead of being left alone, but as I said Thailand keep its eyes shut and there are no sex workers. Make their work legal and make good rules and laws to protect these group of people. You can't say illegal anymore as it is being allowed for decades already and stop with always saying that there are no sexworkers when there is a checking... It doesn't matter what names they have, the occupation is the same

15 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

Another guy who has lived in Pattaya or frequents Pattaya, yet suspiciously bashes the entire industry

Where have I bashed the the poor girls working in the sex industry.

I have bashed and always will bash foreigners like yourself who have only travelled from their home country to Thailand.

Those that have only come to Thailand as sex tourists, shame on them.

Edited August 10Aug 10 by SAFETY FIRST

32 minutes ago, motdaeng said:

i do agree with you, but i would add that these women choose prostitution themselves, and no one forces them into it ...

Please, do the calculations, expenditure, for a girl living in the village, 80 or 100km away from the city who now must relocate, rent an apartment, pay for water, electricity etc.

Food and clothing, for her and her child, who is being taken care of in the village by a guardian, wanting payment of around 5000 baht per month. Also nappies (huge monthly cost) .

A 12000 baht monthly salary at Big C or Lotus's doesn't cut it

Edited August 10Aug 10 by SAFETY FIRST

41 minutes ago, motdaeng said:

i do agree with you, but i would add that these women choose prostitution themselves, and no one forces them into it ...

because for them, it is an easier way to earn more money than doing ordinary hard work, such as the majority of thai single mothers who make a living from poorly paid jobs ...

What about the ones who are sold into it by their family ?

17 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Those that have only come to Thailand as sex tourists, shame on them.

Did someone put you in charge of the Tourism Authority?

The entire tourism is set up that way.

As the article points out, it brings in 100 billion baht per year.

Shame on what?

Tourists visiting temples doesn't bring in money.

1 hour ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I propose giving social security payments and welfare to Thai, young mothers, also garnishing the wages of the deadbeat fathers who has abandoned the child and mother.

You'll find that the number of sex workers would drop dramatically.

These poor girls don't choose to have an old, fat, smelly foreigner on top of them to earn a living, they do this work to provide for their family.

These girls would much prefer to be living in the village with their children and their families

No one can really disagree but...... Having spent years in deep sakon nowhere as a part timer I saw the ladies go off to Pattaya and Jomtein to work "massage" Many made conscious decisions to abandon kids and leave. Some no kids but off they go to try their hand. One came back home and remained but sadly others don't.

I'd guess the thought of landing a foreigner to take home is still one of the top reasons for girls going to Pattaya.

First legalise it, problem is worldwide politicians are cowards

1 minute ago, EVENKEEL said:

No one can really disagree but...... Having spent years in deep sakon nowhere as a part timer I saw the ladies go off to Pattaya and Jomtein to work "massage" Many made conscious decisions to abandon kids and leave. Some no kids but off they go to try their hand. One came back home and remained but sadly others don't.

I'd guess the thought of landing a foreigner to take home is still one of the top reasons for girls going to Pattaya.

Yes, I agree. There are some girls who are working in the sex industry for money, some looking for a wealthy foreigner.

I'm not saying all the girls, just the majority.

5 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

First legalise it, problem is worldwide politicians are cowards

Women don't like it, mostly.

Because the sex trade is in competition with marriage and relationships. It's a threat to stable marriage and men supporting their wives.

And women are 50% of voters.

Pattaya is a good concept. It's all concentrated in one place. If you don't like it, go live somewhere else.

Edited August 10Aug 10 by save the frogs

Rice is the biggest earner for Issan. After that comes prostitution. Interestingly there was no mention of this young girl being on the game (she was there "to see a friend") although for most I would think it was pretty obvious. I believe the accused is still being held in the Pattaya Remand Centre. If anyone knows if he has been transferred to BKK please share.

Edited August 10Aug 10 by dinsdale

Its all about money really no welfare system they don't think like us it's just a job getting paid for being layed that's the name of the game to quote elton John's song

1 hour ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Please, do the calculations, expenditure, for a girl living in the village, 80 or 100km away from the city who now must relocate, rent an apartment, pay for water, electricity etc.

Food and clothing, for her and her child, who is being taken care of in the village by a guardian, wanting payment of around 5000 baht per month. Also nappies (huge monthly cost) .

A 12000 baht monthly salary at Big C or Lotus's doesn't cut it

it does make the cut, but it is only just enough to survive ...

i know a few women with children who receive no support from the father. they have a very hard time and have to struggle to get through life. they live in a shared room for around 3,000 baht, have no savings, an old motorbike, and no money for going to the cinema, eating at kfc, visiting big shopping centres, etc.

the parents take care of the child, that is the reality for the majority of single mothers. only a small proportion choose the easier way of making (more and easy) money by working in the sex industry ....

Sex sells.

Once the government figures out how to get their grubby hands on their earnings, they will recognize these workers.

Prostitution remains illegal, but openly visible in every Tourist area in Thailand, its the cornerstone of Thailands tourism industry, has been for years, especially in the famous ' family friendly ' destinations like Pattaya, Phuket and areas of Bangkok, the flip-flop attitude of the people in charge, will never change anything, theres money to be made, dont let morals get in the way, and so it will continue......

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

premium destination for higher-spending travellers

I'm sure there are high class hostesses in Thailand to satisfy high spending travellers.

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Thailand's sex trade remains illegal, but its presence is highly visible

If it wasn't for the sex trade thousands would be made unemployed, resorts, bars, karaoke and massage shops and the rest would collapse.

4 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I propose giving social security payments and welfare to Thai, young mothers, also garnishing the wages of the deadbeat fathers who has abandoned the child and mother.

You'll find that the number of sex workers would drop dramatically.

These poor girls don't choose to have an old, fat, smelly foreigner on top of them to earn a living, they do this work to provide for their family.

These girls would much prefer to be living in the village with their children and their families

Some would prefer to be living in their home towns/villages, however some wouldn't.

4 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I propose giving social security payments and welfare to Thai, young mothers, also garnishing the wages of the deadbeat fathers who has abandoned the child and mother.

You'll find that the number of sex workers would drop dramatically.

These poor girls don't choose to have an old, fat, smelly foreigner on top of them to earn a living, they do this work to provide for their family.

These girls would much prefer to be living in the village with their children and their families

I agree totally- I acted for many sex workers for 11 years when I did pro bono work 3nights a week in Kings Cross London a LONG time ago

95%of the girls were doing sex work as they needed teh money to pay for their child or children- fathers long gone and of no use at all

In Thailand some sort of financial assistance needs to be in place- not many young year old slim pretty Thai girls wants to leave her village and family so they can be used by fat smelly falang really

4 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I propose giving social security payments and welfare to Thai, young mothers, also garnishing the wages of the deadbeat fathers who has abandoned the child and mother.

You'll find that the number of sex workers would drop dramatically.

These poor girls don't choose to have an old, fat, smelly foreigner on top of them to earn a living, they do this work to provide for their family.

These girls would much prefer to be living in the village with their children and their families

Except you forgot to mention how much some of these girls Mom's and Dad's love the money there daughters send home.

And how they keep asking for more and more money.

3 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

And the extra money they make being away from their children goes to rent in a larger city, so there's no real profit and only the negative of being away from the children they created with those useless locals.

The fact that 40% of children are raised here by grandparents, which is the highest worldwide, also has it's negatives as many of those caregivers are illiterate, too old to do anything but the basics, and allow many children free reign to do what they want, with many things being unsafe.

The women are better off staying at home and working local, making less money but having a house to live in, and around those children. One absent parent is bad enough, two are much worse.

Those kind of statements are very easy to make when you're in a comfortable financial position, when you're not struggling to survive.

2 hours ago, save the frogs said:

Women don't like it, mostly.

Because the sex trade is in competition with marriage and relationships. It's a threat to stable marriage and men supporting their wives.

And women are 50% of voters.

Pattaya is a good concept. It's all concentrated in one place. If you don't like it, go live somewhere else.

Have you got blinkers on.

It is everywhere.

I don't think the authorities really know what to do about this, so they just ignore it, and have their cake and eat it by officially saying it's illegal but effectively looking the other way because it is such a revenue generator that they dare not mess with. It not only acts a source of money for thousands of women and their improverished families, plus the money is spread over the whole country and local economies in the form of remittances, it draws in money for lots of other workers and industries that would suffer without it, such as restaurants, hotel, taxis, tours to all sorts of other services that tourists require.

The caveat is that to make it legal is awkward for the international image of Thailand and future tourist perceptions (which they are clearly trying to manipulate to something different now), but also the practicallity of legalising it and giving adult industry workers the benefits and rights of other professions, whilst being a complete nightmare to tax or to even break even on it as it is notoriously a cash business and transactions are almost impossible to verify or track. Legalising it would end up costing the government far more than it could ever hope to bring in from it... so the easy answer is to just leave it as is. The idea of decriminalizing the trade sounds sensible and noble (and I'm not saying either side is correct), but the logistics and effects of doing so are far more complicated than most think, along with the potential disruption, unforseen results, and cost to the taxpayer it might cause... personally, I just don't think the governments wants to grasp this nettle and has more urgent issues to try to fix. After legalising cannabis and the mess that made with the U-turns etc., I doubt there is much appetite for such lofty crusading and grand changes at the moment... and importantly too, it might not be a vote winner as the there could be a backlash from the predictable sections of society.

I suggest the government, using the police, remove all the sex workers from places like Soi Cowboy in Bangkok's Sukhumvit area and Pattaya's Walking Street, and replace them with Thais who have puzzles testing tourists' intellectual abilities. These could be based on mathematical, logical, or even historical knowledge.

Then the type of tourists Thailand attracts (nice alliteration!) would improve dramatically! 😉

Without doubt the sex industry is Thailand's biggest tourist attraction and generates more cash theen why do Thailand politicians and local police deny on occasion there are no protitutes in sex havens like Pattaya.

Wouldn't the solution be decriminalising sex work, and deport every foreigner caught paying for sex. After making him tax resident, 10 years retroactive.