Channel 4 Documentary - Uk

[game4shame]

Channel: Channel 4

Air date: Wed, Dec 19 2007 - 22:00

Description: Documentary which takes a look at the other side of the sex industry through the eyes of working girls. The Thai village of Kranuan holds an annual competition celebrating the best foreign husband. Sex-bar worker Fon is being paid for by her Birmingham boyfriend, and hopes he will take her back to Britain. Meanwhile, single mother Lek tries to find a western spouse via the internet to help support her children, but as the e-mails dry up she reluctantly heads to Bangkok's red light district

Type: Documentary

channel 4 documentary to be shown tonight at 10pm in the UK - title 'my boyfriend, the sex tourist'.

I forecast a period of maximum cringe.

[ukjackthai]

THIS is exactly the type of sh*t that makes people stereotype Thai women.

[Prakanong]

THIS is exactly the type of sh*t that makes people stereotype Thai women.

It is and it does!

That said the situation does exist - thats its reported on an documentaries made is because there is more interest in this than "Ae works in a office for a MNC after Uni".

Does Thailand have the reputation it deserves in this matter?

And its not just among westerners either - Asian have the same views.

[madjbs]

When they broadcast something that you know about and you can see that it is basically a load of stereotyping rubbish it makes you take all the other documentaries you see with a large bag of salt. I think National Geographic for example is best viewed as a drama channel after some of the stuff I have seen. British channels aren’t much better.

[TopDogger]

Is someone going to upload a torrent of this for those of us not in the UK, will be an interesting watch.

[game4shame]

Is someone going to upload a torrent of this for those of us not in the UK, will be an interesting watch.

have a look at this link after tonight:

Channel 4 On Demand

I believe you can view any programme shown within the last 30 days or so.

THIS is exactly the type of sh*t that makes people stereotype Thai women.

you betcha - it'll be the lowest of the low. guaranteed.

[game4shame]

Is someone going to upload a torrent of this for those of us not in the UK, will be an interesting watch.

have a look at this link after tonight:

Channel 4 On Demand

I believe you can view any programme shown within the last 30 days or so.

actually, channel 4 OD requirements:

Be resident in the UK or Eire

A Windows XP or a Windows Vista PC

IE 5.5, 6 or 7

Windows Media Player 10 or over

A broadband connection

Macs will currently not be able to use the service

[steveromagnino]

THIS is exactly the type of sh*t that makes people stereotype Thai women.

actually, judging by the dregs of Thai society and the dregs of the tourist world wandering the streets of Pattaya/lower sukhumvit together, can you really single out the media for building this stereotype?

Say no. To ho.

[Boo]

The series isn't specifically focussing on thailand but as it does exist quite openly in thialand then they would feature it wouldn't they? They also featured some resort in Venezuala (I think) where sex torist go & pay for a "girlfriend" for a couple of weeks but this place was all in. I suppose it makes them feel less sleazy by calling her a "girlfriend"? Wonder if they really think it legitamised these trips? I hear it a lot in LOS too from guys who buy a girl out of the bar for a week or two & call her his girlfriend but in thailands case the guys aren't all staying in one venue for the whole holiday.

[Spee]

The series isn't specifically focussing on thailand but as it does exist quite openly in thialand then they would feature it wouldn't they? They also featured some resort in Venezuala (I think) where sex torist go & pay for a "girlfriend" for a couple of weeks but this place was all in. I suppose it makes them feel less sleazy by calling her a "girlfriend"? Wonder if they really think it legitamised these trips? I hear it a lot in LOS too from guys who buy a girl out of the bar for a week or two & call her his girlfriend but in thailands case the guys aren't all staying in one venue for the whole holiday.

What gets me is the hypocrisy of it all. Some people are selling sexual services and some people are buying sexual services. It can be sold or discussed with any number of different types of spin, but it is what it is.

I watched parts of the show last night on Venezuela, and if I don't fall asleep first, will probably watch parts of the show on Thailand tonite. Even some of the girls in the show commented on the hypocrisy. It's hard to believe that American tourists and American dollars are welcomed in the Chavez anti-American communist dictatorship in which prostitution is technically illegal yet openly practiced and encouraged. It is similar in Thailand where the trade is technically illegal yet openly solicited and encouraged, with all foreign currencies welcomed.

It is also interesting that shows like these tend to focus on the typical stereotypical places like South and Central America and Southeast Asia. At one time (maybe still) there were Amsterdam-type red light window-shopping areas in Japan even though it is technically illegal. Similar cases can be made for Korea and China (both) where the trade is illegal but still openly practiced and even encouraged in business building. Even in prudish America, there has been an explosion of massage joints all over the place in the last 15-20 years. Whether legal or illegal, prostitution is ubiquitous around the world, and is practiced by the rich, not so rich, and downright poor, by both boys and girls, and by members of most races (and probably most creeds too). It is what it is.

In almost all cases like these, the women are ostracized and treated as less than citizens. If it is going to exist (and other than self-righteous moral judgmentalism why shouldn't it?) then let it be legal and let the women have some rights, freedom to choose, access to frequent proper medical care, etc. I doubt the typical stereotypes and moral stigma are going away any time soon, but if it were legal, it would seem the women would have better choices, protection, reduced risk of STD infection, etc.

[RAZZELL]

The series isn't specifically focussing on thailand but as it does exist quite openly in thialand then they would feature it wouldn't they? They also featured some resort in Venezuala (I think) where sex torist go & pay for a "girlfriend" for a couple of weeks but this place was all in. I suppose it makes them feel less sleazy by calling her a "girlfriend"? Wonder if they really think it legitamised these trips? I hear it a lot in LOS too from guys who buy a girl out of the bar for a week or two & call her his girlfriend but in thailands case the guys aren't all staying in one venue for the whole holiday.

What gets me is the hypocrisy of it all. Some people are selling sexual services and some people are buying sexual services. It can be sold or discussed with any number of different types of spin, but it is what it is.

I watched parts of the show last night on Venezuela, and if I don't fall asleep first, will probably watch parts of the show on Thailand tonite. Even some of the girls in the show commented on the hypocrisy. It's hard to believe that American tourists and American dollars are welcomed in the Chavez anti-American communist dictatorship in which prostitution is technically illegal yet openly practiced and encouraged. It is similar in Thailand where the trade is technically illegal yet openly solicited and encouraged, with all foreign currencies welcomed.

It is also interesting that shows like these tend to focus on the typical stereotypical places like South and Central America and Southeast Asia. At one time (maybe still) there were Amsterdam-type red light window-shopping areas in Japan even though it is technically illegal. Similar cases can be made for Korea and China (both) where the trade is illegal but still openly practiced and even encouraged in business building. Even in prudish America, there has been an explosion of massage joints all over the place in the last 15-20 years. Whether legal or illegal, prostitution is ubiquitous around the world, and is practiced by the rich, not so rich, and downright poor, by both boys and girls, and by members of most races (and probably most creeds too). It is what it is.

In almost all cases like these, the women are ostracized and treated as less than citizens. If it is going to exist (and other than self-righteous moral judgmentalism why shouldn't it?) then let it be legal and let the women have some rights, freedom to choose, access to frequent proper medical care, etc. I doubt the typical stereotypes and moral stigma are going away any time soon, but if it were legal, it would seem the women would have better choices, protection, reduced risk of STD infection, etc.

At last...a grown-up, well thought-out post!

RAZZ

[lazeeboy]

these type of programmes have been done to death ,why dont they film something interesting for a change

[katana]

Is someone going to upload a torrent of this for those of us not in the UK, will be an interesting watch.

Seems to be a torrent on Isohunt for it already.

[Theyreallrubbish]

The fun of these documentaries is to stop listening to the moralising voice over and just see if you can spot any women you've shagged.

I find it hilarious that the documentary makers always fall for the Thai girls sob stories.

"Nok was forced into prostitution when her Thai husband abandoned her and her 3 month old baby. She would like to stop working in the bars but she feels an obligation to make enough money to pay the hospital bills for her severely ill father and university fees for a younger sister. She had hoped to have made enough money to have left the bar earlier this year and was well on her way to ammassing sufficient savings to return home when her brother suffered a major motorbike accident requiring 3 months in hospital and the family buffalo fell sick."

[Ijustwannateach]

Actually, I don't think prostitution is completely, totally illegal here, technically- though it is probably much more regulated in theory than it is in practice. Although is the practice of having a sponsoring husband exactly the same as prostitution? Probably not... so let's keep some perspective here- the guys sponsoring these women aren't dumping them after only a few weeks, after all. And the rules're going to come in and stop us if this thread gets too far off into that topic, so let's stick with the show.

[JimsKnight]

What gets me is the hypocrisy of it all. Some people are selling sexual services and some people are buying sexual services. It can be sold or discussed with any number of different types of spin, but it is what it is.

But we are not talking about just prostitution are we?

We are talking about sex-tourism in which Thailand is a World leader and the closely linked human trafficking problem which unfortunately Thailand still has a massive problem with.

If only it were as simple as a transaction of prostitution where both buyer and seller are consenting, but it isn't.

Emp. I think the documentary is about sex tourism per sa, as opposed to sex slaves in dodgy brothels.

What's always the constant factor for these Channel 4 types on documentaries like this is that it seems to demonise the men. There is a thriving sex tourism scene for farang women in St Tropez, Jamaica and others, yet this hardly ever gets mentioned.

It's a case of 'lets just stick the knife in and twist it on those bad, bad western men enjoying themselves'

Edited December 19, 2007 by JimsKnight

[yorkman]

I dunno, I met my wife working in a decent job in BKK, she works as a teacher now. 2.4 kids later (I am working on the .4 ) life goes on.

Channel 4 in the UK has always been equated with the Sun. At least when I was there, things may have changed. Useless sensational journalism

[Theyreallrubbish]

Emp. I think the documentary is about sex tourism per sa, as opposed to sex slaves in dodgy brothels.

Don't kid yourself Jim, the vast majority of these girls are slaves in one way or another.

The idea that these girls for the most part enjoy their profession and partake of it out of a clear and informed choice is merely a myth perpetrated by the men who use their services to feel better about themselves.

Certainly in the local sector, but in the sector servicing westerners, many of the girls do enjoy it.

So much so that its not uncommon to meet a woman in a go go bar, fully dressed, drinknig and getting up on stage to dance, who when you ask will tell you that she's married to a westerner and lives in England or Germany or whatever and have come to Thailand for a holiday. Having told the hubbie that she's visiting a sick mother no doubt.

They go back to the bar because they enjoy it. They miss the fun when they're gone. They even miss the sex with strange men.

[ClaytonSeymour]

Emp. I think the documentary is about sex tourism per sa, as opposed to sex slaves in dodgy brothels.

Don't kid yourself Jim, the vast majority of these girls are slaves in one way or another.

Slaves to the financial rewards - yes, but who isn't? Most people have a price - I certainly do. I don't particularly enjoy my current role within my organisation, but I certainly enjoy the financial rewards.

The idea that these girls for the most part enjoy their profession and partake of it out of a clear and informed choice is merely a myth perpetrated by the men who use their services to feel better about themselves.

You should also stop and consider the potential rewards for a girl working in a bar, when compared with their current situation. It's too easy for people with comfortable lives to take the high ground & be judgmental. I think if most of us are honest, we too would do things that we didn't necessarily enjoy, if the potential benefits tip the balance.

[yorkman]

Emp. I think the documentary is about sex tourism per sa, as opposed to sex slaves in dodgy brothels.

Don't kid yourself Jim, the vast majority of these girls are slaves in one way or another.

The idea that these girls for the most part enjoy their profession and partake of it out of a clear and informed choice is merely a myth perpetrated by the men who use their services to feel better about themselves.

Certainly in the local sector, but in the sector servicing westerners, many of the girls do enjoy it.

So much so that its not uncommon to meet a woman in a go go bar, fully dressed, drinknig and getting up on stage to dance, who when you ask will tell you that she's married to a westerner and lives in England or Germany or whatever and have come to Thailand for a holiday. Having told the hubbie that she's visiting a sick mother no doubt.

They go back to the bar because they enjoy it. They miss the fun when they're gone. They even miss the sex with strange men.

It is the comfortable sex tourist fly in season. Why be surprised to see the above? Hopefully they will all head down to Pattaya, get arrested, kill themselves, or head back to their homelands with tales.

Whatever

[a99az]

So what’s new with the oldest profession in the world. Sex is on offer all over the world in one form or another. I am in Spain at this moment and if you pick up a Sur in English newspaper they have an adult service column that takes up three pages, people openly selling sex. Clubs with young girls dressed in next to nothing from all over the world are to be found all over the place and all can be had for a price. This is to be found over most of Europe.

I have not been to the U.S.A. or Canada since I was seven but I am sure it is not so different there.

So why make such a big thing out of places like Thailand, I think it is about poverty and the fact that there are many young girls some too young selling sex as a way out of poverty. Wealthy tourists take advantage of cheap sex.

[ClaytonSeymour]

I dunno, I met my wife working in a decent job in BKK, she works as a teacher now. 2.4 kids later (I am working on the .4 ) life goes on.

Channel 4 in the UK has always been equated with the Sun. At least when I was there, things may have changed. Useless sensational journalism It depends on how you use the term useless; it's certainly not useless when it comes it to the sell. The facts are this sort of stuff sells much better than what could be classed as useful - the media knows this and that's why they produce it.

[ClaytonSeymour]

So what's new with the oldest profession in the world. Sex is on offer all over the world in one form or another. I am in Spain at this moment and if you pick up a Sur in English newspaper they have an adult service column that takes up three pages, people openly selling sex. Clubs with young girls dressed in next to nothing from all over the world are to be found all over the place and all can be had for a price. This is to be found over most of Europe.

I have not been to the U.S.A. or Canada since I was seven but I am sure it is not so different there.

So why make such a big thing out of places like Thailand, I think it is about poverty and the fact that there are many young girls some too young selling sex as a way out of poverty. Wealthy tourists take advantage of cheap sex.

Now, even my free local newspaper has almost a full page of escort services. They're also advertising for male escorts for professional women - maybe I'll apply.

[pointofview]

Yet another reason to leave these fair isles. It goes without question that if you are married to a thai in the uk then she is an ex brass - or at least a mail order bride.

Just when people are starting to recover from 'Little Britain' - more negative stereotyping gets an airing

[Theyreallrubbish]

Emp. I think the documentary is about sex tourism per sa, as opposed to sex slaves in dodgy brothels.

Don't kid yourself Jim, the vast majority of these girls are slaves in one way or another.

The idea that these girls for the most part enjoy their profession and partake of it out of a clear and informed choice is merely a myth perpetrated by the men who use their services to feel better about themselves.

Certainly in the local sector, but in the sector servicing westerners, many of the girls do enjoy it.

So much so that its not uncommon to meet a woman in a go go bar, fully dressed, drinknig and getting up on stage to dance, who when you ask will tell you that she's married to a westerner and lives in England or Germany or whatever and have come to Thailand for a holiday. Having told the hubbie that she's visiting a sick mother no doubt.

They go back to the bar because they enjoy it. They miss the fun when they're gone. They even miss the sex with strange men.

It is the comfortable sex tourist fly in season. Why be surprised to see the above? Hopefully they will all head down to Pattaya, get arrested, kill themselves, or head back to their homelands with tales.

Whatever

I obviously was unclear. The women I'm talking about that I occassioanly meet in bars are Thai women who used to be bar girls who have now married a westerner, live in the west, yet come back to Thailand on holiday to hang out in the bars, get drunk, dance on stage and go home with men. I ask them if they've gone back home to see their families on this holiday. Yes they went for a couple of days, then got bored so came back to the cities to hang out in bars and discos to have fun. I've met literally dozens of Thai women in the discos of Bangkok who were on holiday from their marital homes in the west

Or perhaps they're all suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder?

[chicowoodduck]

Channel: Channel 4

Air date: Wed, Dec 19 2007 - 22:00

Description: Documentary which takes a look at the other side of the sex industry through the eyes of working girls. The Thai village of Kranuan holds an annual competition celebrating the best foreign husband. Sex-bar worker Fon is being paid for by her Birmingham boyfriend, and hopes he will take her back to Britain. Meanwhile, single mother Lek tries to find a western spouse via the internet to help support her children, but as the e-mails dry up she reluctantly heads to Bangkok's red light district

Type: Documentary

channel 4 documentary to be shown tonight at 10pm in the UK - title 'my boyfriend, the sex tourist'.

I forecast a period of maximum cringe.

Just another reason why I do NOT own a TV! There is a fine line between nourishment and punishement and I'm a nourishment type guy!

[Spee]

Channel: Channel 4

Air date: Wed, Dec 19 2007 - 22:00

Ok, I stayed up. Had a crappy day at work and am finishing off the last part of a nice bottle of wine. I hope I am able to keep my perspective during the show.

[disgruntled]

I'd say that the girls are working there because of our economic system and the fact that people are so stingy worldwide. If people would spread the wealth more workers would probably be happier in their work. How many people in this world are unhappy with their pay? How many people are struggling just to get by? A lot of people can't see or don't want to see how much pain some of the world's poor have in their lives. I guess you can understand if you have EVER changed your job seeking better pay/easier work.

Isn't it easy for the person who has financial freedom and opportunity to paint the world the way they like. They say 'The girls are slaves or obviously lowlives.' 'Their customers are certainly lowlives.' 'It's sick. etc etc.' At the same time they live comfortably while saying the poor should stay that way and be happy.

[Spee]

Channel: Channel 4

Air date: Wed, Dec 19 2007 - 22:00

Ok, I stayed up. Had a crappy day at work and am finishing off the last part of a nice bottle of wine. I hope I am able to keep my perspective during the show.

Well, for the first segment the parts that didn't make me homesick appeared to be very patronistic and condescending. I'm a bit "sia jai" because I miss my partner Mat and what we are working for in LoS. But the other bits are so patronistic, essentially implying that all Thai men are bums and the only way out for a poor country girl is to hook up with a foreigner. Of course neither implication is entirely true or even in the majority.

[cm-happy]

Of course it's called "DOCUMENTARY" to make it legitimate and factual!.

Thai Gov't protest? Thailand losses face again in the eyes of he world.