War on striptease and nude shows

[george]

BANGKOK: Deputy Interior Minister Pracha Maleenont has declared war on obscene shows and striptease at entertainment venues across the country.

Mr Pracha said they would face a relentless three-month crackdown.

He said some foreigners would help authorities ferret out those venues providing explicit sex shows and other indecent performances, particularly in Bangkok's nightstrips in Patpong, soi Nana, soi Cowboy and Sutthisan road, and Pattaya in Chon Buri, Koh Samui in Surat Thani, Hat Yai in Songkhla and the southern island resort of Phuket.

Mr Pracha said he was not worried that tighter controls on obscene shows would affect tourism. Tourists visiting places providing indecent shows were of low-quality and Thailand did not welcome such visitors.

``We do not want them here.

``They spend little money and look down on Thai women and Thai people,'' Mr Pracha said.

Mr Pracha, who personally supervises the social order crusade, said he inspected Nana Plaza on Sukhumvit road on Aug 8 and found 27 entertainment outlets were hosting obscene shows.

He gave police and the Klong Toey district office one week to get all operators at Nana Plaza to obey the law.

Mr Pracha said he would also ask the Excise Department to use tax measures to bring traditional massage parlours back into line.

Mr Pracha said some traditional massage establishments were also providing illicit sex services and this could not be allowed.

http://www.thaivisa.com/index.php?514&backPID=10&tt_news=493

[Pete Free]

Absolutely ridiculous, the most blatant case of Thai hyprocrisy so far, especially the statement:"some traditional massage establishments were also providing illicit sex services and this could not be allowed." I would rather say, massage establishments "traditionally provide sex services" to the public including those honorable members of society who choose to call those services "illicit"        

[Darek]

I don't know how you measure the "quality" of tourists. I thought the quality was only measured in how much money they left in Thailand. I would think that the sex industry in Bangkok alone would provide rather well paid employment for over 10.000 people.

I don't know if there are statistics on how much a tourist spends in Thailand. I would think that people on the cheaper organised tours are the lowest spenders. They will probably not let there decision to go to Thailand or not depend on the availability of a strip club or one with a sex show. Others I don't know. There probably has never been any research on it.

I don't understand why the Thai government want to crack down on these venues. Is it against the silly middle class feeling of decency? Against the Buddist religion? But then this is not a state religion and the sex workers are maybe no believers. Just the feeling of this minister he got to do something?

Being from Amsterdam I am used to a big sex industry. There is no problem with sex shows or prostitution. Add to this that although drugs are officially forbidden they are widely available and you have a small city (a bit under a million inhabitants) with, apart from a few canals and a couple of museums not a lot to offer, which works like a big magnet on tourists and the only thing they complain about is the prices. Amsterdam is on place 14 of the worlds most expensive cities (New York is # 13). My feeling is that if Thailand keeps the crackdown on for a long time it will cost them tourists. They are more then welcome here. But then, knowing Thailand, the crackdown will last only for a couple of weeks or months and everything will return to normal. Let's hope so for the poor schmucks who work in the sex industry. Returning to the farm with four cows a couple of chicken and a small rice field is not such a fantastic prospect.

[digibum]

I have to wonder what this actually means.  The article says explicit sex shows and other indecent performances which sounds more like ping pong shows, women shooting live animals out of themselves, etc.  Doesn't sound like go-go bars.  

And if that is what he means then he may be on the money.  People seeking that kind of stuff out are probably not the type of tourist the country wants to attract.  It's always been my impression that Thailand has always had an open view of prostitution but has not been so open about pornography and the above type of shows would fall into that later class of entertainment.  I mean, is the kind of guy who goes to TJ Mexico to go see the donkey show the kind of tourist Mexico wants?

The other part of this had me a little confused.  

Mr Pracha said some traditional massage establishments were also providing illicit sex services and this could not be allowed.

So is their a different tax filing or different fee between traditional massage parlors and soapy massage parlors?  If so that makes sense if they file under one type of business license and operate under another but there doesn't seem to be enough info to tell what he was getting at.

Just my .02

[everyera]

I'm stuck here in the states for now, but it sure looks to me like the Thais are are cleaning up in preparation for Boy Georges visit in October. Can't pollute his world with real people doing real things. I expect it to revert to 'normal' in November. But that's a best case scenario.

[WISteve]

Well, considering I'm headed for Pattaya and BKK for a month of serious mongering in 15 days, it better not be a return to the Victorian Era!  Something tells me they are going to beat-up on a few go-gos that have the trashy shows (that's a good idea I think!) and leave the rest of the entertainment industry alone.  With arguably 300,000 ladies of the evening scattered about the country, I doubt they want them put out of work, just kept out of sight a little. Discretion is good.  Pitching darts without your hands is just gross.

Take care,

WISteve

[maitrii]

I strongly suspect that I will either be flamed or ignored....but in contrast with the posts I read above, I applaud what the Thai government is doing.  The commercial sex industry in Thailand has been the source of much suffering, disease, and (in more recent years) death.  The industry isn't going to be eliminated, of course, but if it could be driven back into the shadows where it was when I first arrived in Thailand 40 years ago, that would be most welcome.

[KhunLouis]

I have read the proposed crackdown on gogo bars in Patpong etc..I am sure that the big boss of Massage (Sex) parlours at

Rachadaphisek road must laugh with his 32 teeth..he will get the monopoly of that sort of business..especially that Khun Pracha mention Khong Toey police which I believe mr C..

knows well. Talking of Mr Chuwit, he is now writing best seller books and even deliver public speeches, another way of getting more money and I believe he got some good friends in the government..we don't hear much about Sukhumvit 10!!

As Mr Pracha said, Thailand is not interested with cheap tourist, may be he prefers tourists who can afford going to brothels on Rachadaphisex road...

 

[ChiangMaiThai]

Of course there is nothing wrong with the tens of thousands of brothels servicing Thai men. Utter bull#hit. And what's this about tourists who frequent these establishments not bringing money into the country? I would venture to say they bring in more money than the average package tourist. And of course many end up supporting many thai girls and thai families while they are at it.

I say this to Thaksin and Co. Enforce the law in its entirety if you think you can. And watch the dollars fly away. You are complete idiots.

[ChiangMaiThai]

I strongly suspect that I will either be flamed or ignored....but in contrast with the posts I read above, I applaud what the Thai government is doing.  The commercial sex industry in Thailand has been the source of much suffering, disease, and (in more recent years) death.  The industry isn't going to be eliminated, of course, but if it could be driven back into the shadows where it was when I first arrived in Thailand 40 years ago, that would be most welcome.

I strongly disagree. These activities will go on no matter what. Rather than being driven into the shadows so we can bask in the illusion of moral righteousness, it should be tolerated, legalized and taxed.

[dalmatian]

For one I don't have a gripe with getting rid of these lewd and obscene shows, not that I'm a prude but they just don't do a lot for me. Striptese, well that's pretty innocent, it's the goldfish, frogs and darts competitions that are pretty meaningless and should disappear. I do get a bit irked at the statement :

(Tourists visiting places providing indecent shows were of low-quality and Thailand did not welcome such visitors.

``We do not want them here.)

Well half the time you walk into a bar as a tourist expecting go go girls and suddenly beer bottles are disappearing into the most unlikely places, is that my fault, did I seek these bars out. Tourists don't always know what to expect, maybe residents do!. Well of course I am a high quality tourist so I refuse to finish my beer, pay my bill immediately and leave the joint, oh get a life!. As for low quality most of the people in Patpong, Nana have loads of money, my friends come from Hongkong financial district and some are school teachers, real "low quality". No, it's not exactly cheap in Patpong is it? and excuse me how many of us tourists find ourselves staring at expats in their nice washed shirts and ties, impressing the girls and spending their money, god real "low quality" types!!!

Now if you want to call them pervy, that's different but not "low quality".

This guy needs to clean up the act, yeh, but it is always the tourists who take the brunt, very nationalistic and very anti-foreigner in his remarks. Don't let us forget that we only came here in the 60's, the Thais have been enjoying this type of entertainment for many 100s of years.

[LPCustom69]

Cleaning up the sleaze pits for a while doesn't seem like a problem. If they go after the more routine gogo bars, and the farang business that goes with it, the anti farang sentiment will really hit home. Unfortunately, I think they're headed that way, one step at a time.

 :cool:

[MekhongKurt]

I agree this whole campaign is a joke.  Several Thais have had letters to the editor in the local English-language newspapers recently lamenting the demonstrable lack of ethics and morality in Thai society.  I don't know anyone who frequents Sutthisan Road, but given the nationalistic bent of authorities I would find it downright shocking were there actually to be a crackdown there, given that it is (or at least used to be) primarily a Thai-frequented area.

Puts me in mind of the massage king embroiled in controversy with the police now.  While I myself have never witnessed the handing over of any tea money by even one bar owner, I do know a number of bar owners who say that despite the current controversy they are continuing to make their regular contributions to the Police Benevolent Fund, as it were.

As a foreigner, I reckon Thais can have their country be any way they want it to be, regardless of what I might think.  But I do get tired of being accused, as a foreigner, of being the source of every single ill in Thai society.

When Thailand starts investing in truly educating the populace and adults start teaching the young genuine ethical and moral behavior, I will applaud and support the people so doing.

But I'm not holding my breath waiting for those things to happen. . . .

Guess it's just another facet of the Eastern notion that if one *says* something is (or isn't) so, then that's enough -- never mind the observable, demonstrable realities -- such as when a government minister visited Pattaya sometime ago and announced that she had seen absolutely no evidence to support reports of a thriving sex industry in what Bernard Trink is pleased to call "the Kingdom's favorite seaside resort."  Yeah, right -- the no sex industry, I mean.  ;-)

[flackjacket]

Yet another late attempt to improve the Thai image(300 years too late) They are only fooling themselves, prostitution was rife in Thailand long before Farangs came. New world order, we only want RICH tourists who are too old to enjoy carnal delights, maybe they will have to put wheelchair ramps to the bars for the oldies. They certainly cannot do it for the Thai disabled.;

[buasaard]

I am not exactly a Thaksin fan, also because reminds me (I'm italian) Berlusconi.

The ways he wants to solve thai problems are not always agreeable (excuse me I don't find a better term) but at least he's talking (I don't know if he wants to make seriously) of something that nobody has ever considered.

Prohibiting alcohol ads it's already a good step (and in this case did not blame farangs); if he manages to reduce prostitution, or at least the worst aspects of it, he will have my plause.

Because thai society, must stop to think that this is 'normal', and if someone is tired of being accused of every single ill, I'm tired of seeing boys and girls selling their bodies, not for helping families or feed little babies, as it happened 10 years ago, but to buy the latest cellular phone, or the exclusive griffe.

In this sense tourism (not tourists) made damages, when they see someone spending in one day what they earn in 3 months it is tempting.

I think that most likely everything will remain as before, but at least it's worth trying.

[Dexlowe]

This post in written tongue-in-cheek.

What it boils down to here, is not morals or economics, but basically a question of quality.

The 10% of the Thai sex industry that caters to Western farangs and Japanese is the cream of the crop. The best looking girls go into this sector because that is where they can make the most money, and as you'd expect, the indigenous males can't compete. They've lost the gorgeous, taut little bodies that they used to have for their own pleasure. Instead they're stuck with the B team. Now the B team is okay, but how many males can resist taking a glance at his neighbour's femme and wondering "why is she with him and not me"? Pure penis envy. So, there's your answer. Sympathise with Purachai's successor, but remember, he wants the genuine product, not the fake version.

MekhongKurt -- the minister you referred to as visiting Pattaya and saying there was no sex industry -- sorry, but that is generally accepted as wrong. She didn't say that at all (a reporter's mistake). However, what is more hilarious is the former Bangkok police commissioner of a few years ago who openly said "there are no brothels in Bangkok". Delusion remains rampant, my friend, regardless.

[MekhongKurt]

Hi all --

"MekhongKurt -- the minister you referred to as visiting Pattaya and saying there was no sex industry -- sorry, but that is generally accepted as wrong. She didn't say that at all (a reporter's mistake). However, what is more hilarious is the former Bangkok police commissioner of a few years ago who openly said "there are no brothels in Bangkok". Delusion remains rampant, my friend, regardless."

I was unaware of that, and appreciate the updated information regarding the minister's visit to Pattaya.

I remember the policeman to whom you refer.  I practically injured myself rolling around the floor thrashing and laughing maniacally when I read that patent nonsense.  The same night I had a drink with a Thai police friend whom I asked about it.  His wry reply was that as Thai society began to acknowledged people with physical limitations, he supposed the police department must have liberalized recruitment regulations to allow bling people to be police officers.  (And I nearly injured myself *again* rolling around the floor!).

I used to think Orwellian double-speaking and believing the saying of something alone makes it true was restricted to communist countries, at least in my day (I'm 52).

But that was before I moved to Asia in 1985 and found out differently.  True, my first 3 years were in mainland China, so I didn't figure it out then, but my next port of call for several years was Macau, while it was still a colony of Portugal -- and I found the same thing there.

Thanks again!

Mekhong Kurt

[Top Cat]

I strongly suspect that I will either be flamed or ignored....but in contrast with the posts I read above, I applaud what the Thai government is doing.  The commercial sex industry in Thailand has been the source of much suffering, disease, and (in more recent years) death.  The industry isn't going to be eliminated, of course, but if it could be driven back into the shadows where it was when I first arrived in Thailand 40 years ago, that would be most welcome.

I strongly disagree. These activities will go on no matter what. Rather than being driven into the shadows so we can bask in the illusion of moral righteousness, it should be tolerated, legalized and taxed.

[Top Cat]

I strongly suspect that I will either be flamed or ignored....but in contrast with the posts I read above, I applaud what the Thai government is doing.  The commercial sex industry in Thailand has been the source of much suffering, disease, and (in more recent years) death.  The industry isn't going to be eliminated, of course, but if it could be driven back into the shadows where it was when I first arrived in Thailand 40 years ago, that would be most welcome.

Differing opinions but could be the ideal solution. All the old hands say the naughty nightlife is not as it was. (like everything else)

Maybe making it more discreet but legitimate would satisfy everyone. All the punters would be happy and the Govt. could rake a fortune in. Perhaps this is the start of it.

There again would there be some 'loss of face' involved or does money overcome all.

[Pinkster]

Let me say first i believe legalizing the industry would be a good start.

However, if that happens, then the government WOULD use as a means to generate extra tax revenues. If say, there is a 20,30,40 or even 50% tax imposed on the 'service' then i think many of those who visit LOS for carnal pleasure may think again, and possibly look elswhere for prices similar to pre legalizing, perhaps somewhere like phillipines or even the emerging viet nam and cambodia.

Taxation could be the beginining of the end of a very long road, so perhaps the thaksin & co, if the really wanted to eliminate the sex industry, would legalize it..

Just a thought...  ???

[PedSuam]

When members of the government, at best, come out with stupid comments like this..and at worst, come out with incorect comments offending foreigners like this I wonder what avenue we could actually take to make our views heard.  If we disagree with their thoughts and want to aire a level of logic to their thinking how can we go about doing so?  Is writing to the Bangkok Post or Nation the only way to get (un)officially listened to?  Would they even take any notice of us inferior but financially necessary farang?

[bkkgs]

.

"Cleaning up the sleaze pits for a while doesn't seem like a problem. If they go after the more routine gogo bars, and the farang business that goes with it, the anti farang sentiment will really hit home. Unfortunately, I think they're headed that way, one step at a time."

THIS is what the future is. The attitude of let's start slamming the "low-life" tourists, then we can move on to the "low-life" work-permit holders and retirees (like raise the minimum required in the bank account), then maybe all those who refuse to buy the million baht promo card. And if you  don't think that could happen, remember, this crusade for morals started with keeping teenagers out of trouble- who could possibly argue with that????? If you did argue, you were on the side of pushers selling drugs to children- remember? What's going to happen when tourists go home with stories about the bar they were in being raided by a team of Thai police? And what kinds of jobs is the government going to supply for the people who are put on the street from these places closing down? And they will.  

I used to live in San Francisco and NYC- both have pretty sleazy bars, if you know where to go (and if you don't want to go, then don't). But both those cities seem to do okay with tourism without worrying about "cleaning up their image" and having government offiicials racially profiling tourists.

[peterf1066]

I have travelled to Thailand many times over the years because I do enjoy the type of welcome that is given to me.

However the present government seem to be anti-tourist.

Yes we go to Thailand for a good time, is that a sin?

If if were not for the thousands of big spending tourists, Thailand would not enjoy the boom is has over the years.

The government should be careful not to kill off the golden goose!!

The Philippines closed all the bars , etc and now they receive very few tourists per year.

As we are not welcome, perhaps we should look at Vietnam etc?

I love Thailand and I hope that teh Thai people at teh next election will show their dispapproval of this government who are trying to lose thousands of bar and restuarant postions for their people.

Shame on this government.

[buasaard]

First of all I'm not thai, I'm a farang with a thai wife.

If if were not for the thousands of big spending tourists, Thailand would not enjoy the boom is has over the years.

Certainly the boom of a nation is not due to tourism. See Malaysia which is far more developed and with little tourism.

Or you think Thailand will live forever with tourism?

The only real tourism oriented country is Maldives, but wisely the maldivian government keep tourists separated from locals.

And how many people in Thailand live with tourism? 5%? 10%? and the other 90-95%, what should they do?

Should they live forever with 3000-10000 THB per month, to leave prices cheap, so that you can "sanook" with little money?

No sir, the long-term goal of a country cannot be to live on tourism, but a real development, not based on the "mercy" of a bunch of tourists.

Because I wish for Thailand a country where 56,000,000 people work as clerks, as engineers, as farmers (with a decent salary) and all other works as in developed countries.

Yes there is an anti-farangs feeling , but only with a certain kind of farangs. I think the goal of Thailand in respect of tourism, should be a tourism like in Greece or Spain for instance, a tourism for families or a place where young people meet and enjoy (like Ibiza for instance).

I am not saying that is farangs' fault, of course is previous thai governments' fault if the tourism has developed sexually oriented, but they must draw a line somewhere, and I really hope they stop this kind of tourism, though I don't think they'll manage for now.But in long term certainly they will, so the sooner they try, the better.

In Europe such kind of tourism is not welcomed, why should be in Thailand?

As we are not welcome, perhaps we should look at Vietnam etc?

Oh there are a lot of places in the world, Brazil (hope Lula can do something), eastern Europe (not for long), Cuba (I'm left wing oriented but I'm tired of Castro), Dominican Republic etc.

and I hope they too will soon get free of this slavery.

I was hard, but I'm tired of reading comments of people that think only to their "sanook" hoping they fail to reduce prostitution, and do not think to the future of 56,000,000 men and women.

[peterf1066]

Well mate, I could not disagree with you more, you appear to be a right wing fundementlist, who considers that fun should only be family orientated.

For many years Thailand has supplied for the tourist many facets of fun.

This entertainment has supplied for thousands of Thai people the opportunity to work in the tourist industry, sending  very needed cash to their families.

When Corey Aquino took over in the Philippines and closed bars and other places of entertainment, and put thousands out of work, did she provide something that would improve her peoples lives such as regular employment-NO.

The corruption in Thailand is endemic, especially in the police force, and this type of thing harms the people far more than working in the entertainment industry, and by the way that includes thousands of people working in restuarants, waiters, cooks etc.

There is not enough industrial work for the thousands who want it.

The tourist industry has given the Thai Government and people valuable foreign cash and investment, and that is why this minister, with his insulting verbal attack on tourists is counter productive, which he will find out if he continues in the same vein.

I hope that this government will be shown the error of their ways in the next poll.

[buasaard]

Well mate, I could not disagree with you more, you appear to be a right wing fundementlist, who considers that fun should only be family orientated.

First : I'm not a right wing, I'm infact a left wing, but there is a common mistake : that a left wing should approve prostitution, after all left wingers are for "free sex". But this is not free sex, infact for one part is not sex at all.

I don't want people not to have fun, if you want to do whatever you want is your right, but a government must think to the future of a country.

For many years Thailand has supplied for the tourist many facets of fun.This entertainment has supplied for thousands of Thai people the opportunity to work in the tourist industry, sending  very needed cash to their families.

This happened in the past as I wrote in my previous post, and I really had sympathy and understanding for them, but now things have changed and prostitution is just a way to make money quickly.

And I'm not against the tourism industry, only it must not be the sole concern. Thailand has the potential for improving the way of life of its citizens.It's time to change!

The corruption in Thailand is endemic, especially in the police force, and this type of thing harms the people far more than working in the entertainment industry,

What's the matter with the topic? So as there is corruption you must not reduce prostitution? It doesn't make sense.

There is not enough industrial work for the thousands who want it.

Who's the right wing fundamentalist?

<

If they steal industries from us, after all stocks fall and we do not have money to come to Thailand and have fun!>>

Don't worry, in this case they become richer and come to Europe to have fun. You just would be on the other side.

I repeat I'm not against fun and entertainment, I'm just against prostitution that every year causes thousands of deaths  with AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases.Also don't think prostitution will ever cease, infact it is called "the most ancient job", but I think the less people work on it the better.

[Pinkster]

I couldnt agree more.

Thailand would be a far better place to live for its inhabitant if many did not have to look to prostitution as a way of supporting themselves. Can anyone disagree with this statement?

Yes it would be very hard to find other means of employment for all those involved in the industry, but does that say we should not try? It has to start somewhere.

Maybe the governemnt will make mistake along the way, infact im sure they will, but i applaud them at least making a stance. Its there country, not farangs, and have the right to do what is in there short, medium and long term interest. Im presuming most of you were not invited to thailand, YOU made the decision to come? So just as you can with the tv, you can decide to make a change and go elsewhere.

[flackjacket]

I too am a foreigner with a Thai wife of long standing but I am not so nieve as to believe that the so called "Low Life" tourists do not contribute a large amount of capital for Thailand. As for the statistics on Thai hotels, look outside Bangkok to the seaside resorts alone and see just how many Thais earn a living  in the hotel industry, if you take maybe an hour or so you will see a considerable number of Thais in the big hotels alone. Re prostitution, please do not preach about a profession that has been alive and thriving for well over 300 years in the LOS. Corruption means turning a blind eye to all the Thai men both High and Low life who frequent "massage parlours", Ah that is different as it is Thai culture. Now Farangs, well that is real LOW LIFE and must be stamped out. I seem to remember that it was not very many weeks ago that the Thai Government were on their knees for foreigners to come and stay in their overpriced hotels (many priced in US$). Many in the Government have ther heads in the sand, or "other places" remember, We do not have a terrorist threat problem> now we have a quickly cobbled together anti terrorist bill on the books, probably to appease Willy Bush who is due at the APEC conference  or even KGB Putin!!

While one may dispise and berate bar girls, many of them use the cash to support elderly parents, not to buy mobile phones. Remember Thailand has NO social security benifits to fall back on in hard times. Before you criticise Thailand, try looking at the Philappines, Angles City to name one area, see the sleezy strip joints and bars there. Sorry to go on but I do get fed up with people on the web who pontifcate on matters beyond their control, which will remain so as long as corruption rules Thailand.

[wolf5370]

I kind of agree with buasaard, the minister is concerned with the image and reputation of his country. From the anger shown in posts on this forum sometimes when someone says something disrespectful about another's country or her people, many of you must agree.

True Thailand has gained a large income from sex tourists, but that is not all that Thailand is about. It is a beautifull country with much appeal and many places of interest. I don't think tourism will be too badly affected by the closure of the extreame sex shows that are available. Sex tourists will allways find their prey; there will allways be back steet shows and upstairs rooms at massage parlours, as there is just about everywhere else in the world. The difference being that the country wants tourists that respect the country and the people, who would not?

I know people that will not go to Pattaya because they feel that it is too red light and they will be hassled by 'escourts'. I know people who have not considered visiting Thailand at all because all they hear is the sex industry and catalogue brides (the same is true of the Philipines). How many potential tourists (even right wing families!!!) spend their tourist bucks elsewhere because of the fear of corruption in LOS.

Taksin's government have been doing more than any other to date to remove the corruption and gangster/mafia involvement. This includes drugs, graft, casinos and now the sex industry. They are trying to move their country forward; helped along initially perhaps by the IMF.

The tourism industry will evolve slightly that is all. Overtly obscene shows will be toned down, closed down and/or licensed. Prostitution will be either licensed and taxed or, at least, moved away from public eye. If you want a sex show you will be able to go to one; if you want a drink without getting harassed by bar-girls then you can too. I'm not saying it will all work, but I can understand the sentiment.

As for industry, Thailand does not have the advantages Japan and South Korea gained following the wars - the helping hand and laxing of trade rules etc. It will not, in today's international arena, come out anywhere near on top - even in Asia - without serious foreign investment. They will not get that until they relax their BOI rules and give equality between countries (as the WTO has already demanded). Until then their only international business appeal is their cheap labour force - which compares with many other 3rd world countries and does not help the struggle much.

[Pinkster]

Believe it or not, i can remember some years ago, when i chose NOT to tell my work colleagues that i was visiting thailand for 1 month during december. I chose to say i was visiting Australia for family wedding!

Now i did this because, as a single male at the time, i i imagined they would jump to conclusion i was either

1. Gay (ladyboys)

2. Going for sex (young girls)

I think that speak volume for the wide opinion held in my part of farangland towards thailand. Of course now, i care little for what other people think, apart from those close to me. If this kind of thing is what most people in Europe associate with thailand, then how on earth can it be at all posotive for the country?

I think the government is very aware of it country international reputation, and they are trying to do something posotive to change it. Can anybody out there please explain how impoving thailand reputation in the world will have a negative effect on its people?