Child Porn On Sukhumvit Stirs Outrage

[beammeup]

Its obviously some sort of gangsters that control this. Although I find it very hard to understand why the average Thai or perhaps more self righteous gansgter doesnt do something about it, the "none of my business" attitude seems to be part of this society. Whats contradicting is that Thai people are so bloody nosey. Have you ever experienced a thai collegue or service person reading your mail or payslip or something...? Before it is passed to you they always read it. I have always said that Thai society is spineless and just proves my point again.

Just out of interest are their contact details for parts of the government or NGO' s or even the police force that deal with this...? Or not really...

Many Thais do have a look the other way attitude because most Thais also try to keep a low profile when they are up to no good. Make no mistake about it, Child Porn is easy to get on the street but it is NOT as a practice displayed openly. This would just make no sense what so ever. Too many customers buying the normal porn stuff would not deal with these vendors and anybody looking for it knows to ask and certainly doesn't want to be seen in public buying the stuff .. especially as a non-Thai (these folks here are making the claim it is sold openly on display and waived in pedestrian's faces as they walk by in tourist areas such as Sukimvit & Beach Rd. in Pattaya). Not only that, there are too many people from every country who would not think twice about ringing somebody's neck openly displaying stuff to anyone let alone women and kids. The cops are given very little from each vendor to look the other way for small infractions but even most cops are going to be sickened by this crap and not allow it to happen for 1 or 2 hundred (tops) a day bribe. These vendors are already paying to sell the standard porn stuff and they just don't make that much extra selling the kiddy stuff to be paying the cops large enough sums to make it worthwhile ... especially when it comes to child porn and being SO MANY groups out there who they have to contend with in terms of making HUGE issues for them and Thailand.

It is or was openly displayed as I have seen it as have others. Just because you havent doesnt mean it isn't openly displayed. Maybe you get your jollies out of calling us liars. Why would we make it up??? Its a horrible subject to make this sh!t up you would need to be pretty sick. Get your head out of your Ar$e. Take a look for yourself. Or maybe not then you would have to do something about it. Much better to just deny it.

[pedro01]

I love the attempts to apply logic to these scenarios.

It couldn't happen because then this would happen....

Here is the way it works. Some porn is on display on the stall itself. Other porn DVDs are held together by a large bulldog clip.

In Pantip, when you go to buy porn, a few of these books of porn DVDs are dedicated entirely to child porn.

In Sukhumvit it is the same, although I imagine it's gone underground a little more because of the publicity. It is these 'books' of child porn I've seen set out on the table where they sell the DVDs. I have not seen the child porn CD covers on the wall of the stall but I have glanced down and seen it out in the open. Perhaps a customer left the book there or perhaps the stall holder left it there. Maybe the day starts with these books under the counter but after a while they just get left on the table. Either way, you can apply all the logic you want, the stuff is often out in the open.

In Pattaya, it is openly displayed, not in the books but spread out on the table of 1 or 2 of the stalls.

Now - as for "why doesn't someone report it"

- well, if you are looking for porn in Pantip as a Thai, I'd say you don't want to tell the police about that. First of all because the police are paid to let this happen, second of all because giving your name, address and the fact you have a plentiful supply of porn at home isn't really very smart. It's a bit like going to buy some weed, finding our the dealer is selling heroin and going to the police about it. Similarly, a foreigner in the same position would be wise not to stick their neck out and report a crime to people complicit in that crime.

- If a foreigner did wring the neck of a seller here, they would not last very long at all, unless perhaps you think all the other vendors in the area would just watch with glee as they secretly abhor child porn too. This is Thailand, not the UK, so probably better not to test that one out yourself.

- As for child porn turning off the customers, sorry - that doesn't happen. I have seen people pick up the CP book and put it right down again and go back to flicking through a regualar book of porn.

- As for reporting it to another organisation - to be honest, that had never been something I'd considered. I have seen it here on a number of occasions, felt pretty disgusted by it but pretty much forgotten about it within a few hours. This seems like the most appropriate plan. Not sure what they'd do as they'd still have the police and the various 'tip-offs' to deal with.

Anyway - if it makes people feel better to think this stuff isn't around. I am very happy for you but that doesn't change the fact that it is.

Pedro

[beammeup]

I love the attempts to apply logic to these scenarios.

It couldn't happen because then this would happen....

Here is the way it works. Some porn is on display on the stall itself. Other porn DVDs are held together by a large bulldog clip.

In Pantip, when you go to buy porn, a few of these books of porn DVDs are dedicated entirely to child porn.

In Sukhumvit it is the same, although I imagine it's gone underground a little more because of the publicity. It is these 'books' of child porn I've seen set out on the table where they sell the DVDs. I have not seen the child porn CD covers on the wall of the stall but I have glanced down and seen it out in the open. Perhaps a customer left the book there or perhaps the stall holder left it there. Maybe the day starts with these books under the counter but after a while they just get left on the table. Either way, you can apply all the logic you want, the stuff is often out in the open.

In Pattaya, it is openly displayed, not in the books but spread out on the table of 1 or 2 of the stalls.

Now - as for "why doesn't someone report it"

- well, if you are looking for porn in Pantip as a Thai, I'd say you don't want to tell the police about that. First of all because the police are paid to let this happen, second of all because giving your name, address and the fact you have a plentiful supply of porn at home isn't really very smart. It's a bit like going to buy some weed, finding our the dealer is selling heroin and going to the police about it. Similarly, a foreigner in the same position would be wise not to stick their neck out and report a crime to people complicit in that crime.

- If a foreigner did wring the neck of a seller here, they would not last very long at all, unless perhaps you think all the other vendors in the area would just watch with glee as they secretly abhor child porn too. This is Thailand, not the UK, so probably better not to test that one out yourself.

- As for child porn turning off the customers, sorry - that doesn't happen. I have seen people pick up the CP book and put it right down again and go back to flicking through a regualar book of porn.

- As for reporting it to another organisation - to be honest, that had never been something I'd considered. I have seen it here on a number of occasions, felt pretty disgusted by it but pretty much forgotten about it within a few hours. This seems like the most appropriate plan. Not sure what they'd do as they'd still have the police and the various 'tip-offs' to deal with.

Anyway - if it makes people feel better to think this stuff isn't around. I am very happy for you but that doesn't change the fact that it is.

Pedro

Liar Liar pants on fire!! I think most people who have seen it are probably decensitized or discusted by it and dont even bother to read this thread.

[rubl]

Liar Liar pants on fire!! I think most people who have seen it are probably decensitized or discusted by it and dont even bother to read this thread.

I think most people understand problems don't go away when you close your eyes on them.

[random]

why are people denying that it is/ was on open display along Sukhumvit, I can conform that I have seen in on display at many stalls along Sukhumvit, the porn is normally all on one board and amongst that there is child sex dvds, this is in open view to all people passing the stall, if you stop to look at the normal dvds this stuff is right in front of you on display

[Jingthing]

There is no need whatsoever to continue to humor or respond to the strange voices here of absurd DENIAL that this (OPEN display of kiddie porn DVD covers) never happened, both in Bangkok and Pattaya.

Some facts now --

If you never saw it, even numerous times, that in no way proves it never happens.

We have the credible news report.

We have numerous credible witness reports from posters here, including myself, that it SOMETIMES but does not always happen.

That doesn't mean it will be happening again today, but it doesn't mean it won't either.

Why should there be any doubt left among rational people that it does indeed SOMETIMES happen? We have at least one member who has launched a very bizarre posting campaign asserting it never happens. Why give that poster's views ANY credibility anymore (see above)?

Next ...

[Thai at Heart]

I wonder how long it will take any NGO's to take up this story?

Gangsters or not, this is a very shameful story for Thailand in general, and I have a sneaking suspicion that something will be done about this abhorrent sale of child porn.

One can debate Thailand's attitude to pornography, but child porn is illegal, disgusting and something that no one should be allowed to sell or purchase in any country.

Doesn't anyone in the government read the papers? or get his head out of his ass for one second to see what is going on in his own country?

What is the point in their ridiculous efforts to censor TV and the internet if this type of stuff is on sale in downtown Bangkok?

[creck]

One can debate Thailand's attitude to pornography, but child porn is illegal, disgusting and something that no one should be allowed to sell or purchase in any country.

Doesn't anyone in the government read the papers? or get his head out of his ass for one second to see what is going on in his own country?

Politicians are of two camps; those are in it for the (big) money and those interested in democracy and improving society.

There is no money in stopping child porn being sold (unless he is your competitor in that business). Real politics is trying to change society for the better and that is definitely the art of attempting the possible. Or as some say ‘get the big decisions right’ (and implemented first). If the police were straight then this sort of thing would just disappear (not stop) of itself. Getting the police useful is a huge job, and if the politicians are working out how to do that, then I for one would be happy. I just don’t have much faith.

[Jingthing]

Let's call a spade a spade here. Much of the legitimate outrage over the child sex trade (in all its manifestations) is IMPORTED from the west into Thailand. Culturally, there is generally not the same degree of outrage coming from within Thai culture about this issue. (If there was, how could it ever be possible for this open display of kiddie porn in high traffic areas to have gone on so long, in the west, it would have never happened even once, and if it did, it would be shut down the same day.) This is a case where we can perhaps be arrogant and indeed say, that part of the culture here is truly WRONG. Why be reticent about saying that clearly? Similarly, I have no problem saying Iranian stoning of adulterous women and murdering of homosexuals is also wrong, objectively wrong.

Cultural relativism, tolerance, and understanding is a great thing and it usually makes sense. For example, many Koreans enjoy farm raised dogs for a meal. The dogs are raised as livestock. Who are we to judge they are wrong anymore than a devout Hindu would judge hamburger eating is wrong? But certain things, cultural differences or not, are clearly wrong even considering cultural differences. So many examples, rape, murder, genocide, and yes, the child sex trade.

Next ...

Edited October 8, 2010 by Jingthing

[VictorMeldrewBKK]

Its obviously some sort of gangsters that control this. Although I find it very hard to understand why the average Thai or perhaps more self righteous gansgter doesnt do something about it, the "none of my business" attitude seems to be part of this society. Whats contradicting is that Thai people are so bloody nosey. Have you ever experienced a thai collegue or service person reading your mail or payslip or something...? Before it is passed to you they always read it. I have always said that Thai society is spineless and just proves my point again.

Just out of interest are their contact details for parts of the government or NGO' s or even the police force that deal with this...? Or not really...

Many Thais do have a look the other way attitude because most Thais also try to keep a low profile when they are up to no good. Make no mistake about it, Child Porn is easy to get on the street but it is NOT as a practice displayed openly. This would just make no sense what so ever. Too many customers buying the normal porn stuff would not deal with these vendors and anybody looking for it knows to ask and certainly doesn't want to be seen in public buying the stuff .. especially as a non-Thai (these folks here are making the claim it is sold openly on display and waived in pedestrian's faces as they walk by in tourist areas such as Sukimvit & Beach Rd. in Pattaya). Not only that, there are too many people from every country who would not think twice about ringing somebody's neck openly displaying stuff to anyone let alone women and kids. The cops are given very little from each vendor to look the other way for small infractions but even most cops are going to be sickened by this crap and not allow it to happen for 1 or 2 hundred (tops) a day bribe. These vendors are already paying to sell the standard porn stuff and they just don't make that much extra selling the kiddy stuff to be paying the cops large enough sums to make it worthwhile ... especially when it comes to child porn and being SO MANY groups out there who they have to contend with in terms of making HUGE issues for them and Thailand.

It is or was openly displayed as I have seen it as have others. Just because you havent doesnt mean it isn't openly displayed. Maybe you get your jollies out of calling us liars. Why would we make it up??? Its a horrible subject to make this sh!t up you would need to be pretty sick. Get your head out of your Ar$e. Take a look for yourself. Or maybe not then you would have to do something about it. Much better to just deny it.

The reason Jcbangkok continually denies child porn is openly displayed is because otherwise he would have to do something about it and, in his ownwords, he would have culpability.

He has trapped himself with bold statements such as the following: Jcbangkok wrote "If you see this stuff and donothing (beyond talking to a mod on ThaiVisa) then you do have culpability. I'm sure anyreasonable person would agree"

Jcbangkok also wrote "Please make me a believer and send me pictures and locations of this being sold openly and I GUARANTEE it will not be done in those locations anymore. There are way too many groups not scared to take action and put an end to this. And at the current moment I am out of the country but canassure you I can get it stopped within a week"

I have asked him many times what is he going to do about it but never got a reply other than I am ignorant. He must already have his head up his somewhere already because he informs us he has visited these places but never even seen explicit sex covers which I see EVERY day I pass through Sukhumvit near soi 11.

Jcbangkok posted "Usually covers don't show explicit sex (only suggestive) even inmain stream porn. One would also think that child porn wouldn't even have acover showing the contents. Kind of like having drugs in a suitcase and puttinga sign on the outside you are carrying drugs."

Not only does he dispute what many state they have seen, but goes on to imply that these people are imagining things by stating ". But again, my point is you are not actually seeing child porn but seeing something you find very distasteful and your mind is playing tricks on you"

So again I will ask Jcbangkok what is he going to do about it or is he going to back down on all his bold statements and take the easier option and continue to deny it is happening.

He has come close to accepting that it is out there with one of his later posts as follows jcbangkok wrote : "Make no mistake about it, Child Porn is easy to get on the street but it is NOT as a practice displayed openly." What does that mean though? Not as a practice? Does that mean it is displayed openly but only sometimes? I will ask him.

Edited October 8, 2010 by VictorMeldrewBKK

[Jingthing]

Jcbangkok's position on this is trollish, and I suggest people in future just let his odd position's stand for what they are, they have been responded to multiple times already by various people. Some of them are kind of funny though, such as telling us we are IMAGINING things. Really, how can we take that poster's views on this topic seriously anymore?

Edited October 8, 2010 by Jingthing

[VictorMeldrewBKK]

Jcbangkok's position on this is trollish, and I suggest people in future just let his odd position's stand for what they are, they have been responded to multiple times already by various people. Some of them are kind of funny though, such as telling us we are IMAGINING things. Really, how can we take that poster's views on this topic seriously anymore?

I agree that jcbangkok's position on this is trollish or this guy is really out of this world.

I mean does he really believe his post "I can almost assure you that the US State Department would provide severe consequences to Thailand if it was doing NOTHING to stop this.

Edited October 8, 2010 by VictorMeldrewBKK

[Jingthing]

Jcbangkok's position on this is trollish, and I suggest people in future just let his odd position's stand for what they are, they have been responded to multiple times already by various people. Some of them are kind of funny though, such as telling us we are IMAGINING things. Really, how can we take that poster's views on this topic seriously anymore?

I agree that jcbangkok's position on this is trollish or this guy is really out of this world.

I mean does he really believe his post "I can almost assure you that the US State Department would provide severe consequences to Thailandif it was doing NOTHING to stop this.

Could be BOTH trollish AND out of this world. In any case, best to see his views on this more as comic relief than anything else.

[VictorMeldrewBKK]

Its obviously some sort of gangsters that control this. Although I find it very hard to understand why the average Thai or perhaps more self righteous gansgter doesnt do something about it, the "none of my business" attitude seems to be part of this society. Whats contradicting is that Thai people are so bloody nosey. Have you ever experienced a thai collegue or service person reading your mail or payslip or something...? Before it is passed to you they always read it. I have always said that Thai society is spineless and just proves my point again.

Just out of interest are their contact details for parts of the government or NGO' s or even the police force that deal with this...? Or not really...

Many Thais do have a look the other way attitude because most Thais also try to keep a low profile when they are up to no good. Make no mistake about it, Child Porn is easy to get on the street but it is NOT as a practice displayed openly. This would just make no sense what so ever. Too many customers buying the normal porn stuff would not deal with these vendors and anybody looking for it knows to ask and certainly doesn't want to be seen in public buying the stuff .. especially as a non-Thai (these folks here are making the claim it is sold openly on display and waived in pedestrian's faces as they walk by in tourist areas such as Sukimvit & Beach Rd. in Pattaya). Not only that, there are too many people from every country who would not think twice about ringing somebody's neck openly displaying stuff to anyone let alone women and kids. The cops are given very little from each vendor to look the other way for small infractions but even most cops are going to be sickened by this crap and not allow it to happen for 1 or 2 hundred (tops) a day bribe. These vendors are already paying to sell the standard porn stuff and they just don't make that much extra selling the kiddy stuff to be paying the cops large enough sums to make it worthwhile ... especially when it comes to child porn and being SO MANY groups out there who they have to contend with in terms of making HUGE issues for them and Thailand.

You say "Make no mistake about it, Child Porn is easy to get on the street but it is NOT as a practice displayed openly"

What does that mean though? Not as a practice?

Does that mean it is displayed openly but only sometimes?

Edited October 8, 2010 by VictorMeldrewBKK

[VictorMeldrewBKK]

Jcbangkok's position on this is trollish, and I suggest people in future just let his odd position's stand for what they are, they have been responded to multiple times already by various people. Some of them are kind of funny though, such as telling us we are IMAGINING things. Really, how can we take that poster's views on this topic seriously anymore?

I agree that jcbangkok's position on this is trollish or this guy is really out of this world.

I mean does he really believe his post "I can almost assure you that the US State Department would provide severe consequences to Thailandif it was doing NOTHING to stop this.

Could be BOTH trollish AND out of this world. In any case, best to see his views on this more as comic relief than anything else.

again I agree, I must admit I actually rushed home today just to see what was coming next from jcbangkok.

[jcbangkok]

Its obviously some sort of gangsters that control this. Although I find it very hard to understand why the average Thai or perhaps more self righteous gansgter doesnt do something about it, the "none of my business" attitude seems to be part of this society. Whats contradicting is that Thai people are so bloody nosey. Have you ever experienced a thai collegue or service person reading your mail or payslip or something...? Before it is passed to you they always read it. I have always said that Thai society is spineless and just proves my point again.

Just out of interest are their contact details for parts of the government or NGO' s or even the police force that deal with this...? Or not really...

Many Thais do have a look the other way attitude because most Thais also try to keep a low profile when they are up to no good. Make no mistake about it, Child Porn is easy to get on the street but it is NOT as a practice displayed openly. This would just make no sense what so ever. Too many customers buying the normal porn stuff would not deal with these vendors and anybody looking for it knows to ask and certainly doesn't want to be seen in public buying the stuff .. especially as a non-Thai (these folks here are making the claim it is sold openly on display and waived in pedestrian's faces as they walk by in tourist areas such as Sukimvit & Beach Rd. in Pattaya). Not only that, there are too many people from every country who would not think twice about ringing somebody's neck openly displaying stuff to anyone let alone women and kids. The cops are given very little from each vendor to look the other way for small infractions but even most cops are going to be sickened by this crap and not allow it to happen for 1 or 2 hundred (tops) a day bribe. These vendors are already paying to sell the standard porn stuff and they just don't make that much extra selling the kiddy stuff to be paying the cops large enough sums to make it worthwhile ... especially when it comes to child porn and being SO MANY groups out there who they have to contend with in terms of making HUGE issues for them and Thailand.

You say "Make no mistake about it, Child Porn is easy to get on the street but it is NOT as a practice displayed openly"

What does that mean though? Not as a practice?

Does that mean it is displayed openly but only sometimes?

As a practice, doctors try to help and cure people. Are there rare reports of doctors who purposely kill their patients .. of course.

It means exactly what I stated in the original post. Certainly everything can happen from time to time in this world but as a general rule ... it would be a rarity to to find Child Porn openly displayed and sold in these two very populated areas on the most busy sidewalks tourists use in Thailand. Child porn is NOT waived in the faces of tourist men, wives and children as they walk the streets of Sukimvit as posters here claim is done on a regular basis. I am sorry you folks who see this so much but have taken ZERO steps to do anything about it want to believe in this so much. My challenge is still here to provide me with proof and location such as a photo. You can cry and claim being scared all you want but it is not illegal to posses child porn in Thailand (only to sell or buy). So, taking a picture and blacking out the offending parts and posting or sending to me would not be illegal. Trust me, I will take action ... the first being contacting various the embassies.

The original article is a joke folks. It is all unnamed people from a reporter who has been caught lying in the past. He talks to Ambassadors but mentions no names. Same with police officials. He also does a count of all the porn vendors and what they are selling but leaves out the count of who is selling child porn openly even though this is what the story is about.

It is well known it is not hard to get and one simply has to ask for it from many of these folks selling standard porn titles but it is not sold in the same manner as adult porn titles and is not displayed along with standard adult porn titles.

This is no different than a news story of a UFO. All of a sudden after a reporting their are a group of folks who come out in full force saying they now have seen one too. Add to this kind of mentality a very emotional and hot topic such as porn and especially child porn ... you get flooded with folks who say they have seen it to. But in this case it shocks the sentences to have people here report what they have seen but have NEVER taken ANY action to do anything about it. Nothing even as simple as contacting an embassy, or child protection groups anonymously.

Edited October 8, 2010 by jcbangkok

[rubl]

As people seem to go deaf on me I try again.

Only a few years ago you would see less porn and certainly no CP displayed along lower Sukhumvit. Something seems to have changed. What ? Did Bangkok get a different type of tourist, especially a type interested in CP ? Which segment of tourists forms the major market for street-sellers of CP ?

Street-sellers should be kept in reign and under control, but don't forget to target potential buyers

[animatic]

I was on lower Sukhumvit this week several times.

No sign of child porn, but lots of adult porn on open display.

I actually didn't bother to look to see the ages on display,

but if it was obviously kids it would have stond out.

Clearly someone has upped the ante about what 'their clout' allows to be shown,

no matter what the papers are writing up about. Seemed to be no compunctions

at all to show porn front and center and below waist height.

[jcbangkok]

As people seem to go deaf on me I try again.

Only a few years ago you would see less porn and certainly no CP displayed along lower Sukhumvit. Something seems to have changed. What ? Did Bangkok get a different type of tourist, especially a type interested in CP ? Which segment of tourists forms the major market for street-sellers of CP ?

Street-sellers should be kept in reign and under control, but don't forget to target potential buyers

How many times have you seen CP displayed on tables on Sukimvit?

Years of living on Sukimvit and visiting the video vendors here and I have never seen it once. And I buy those pirated Hollywood DVDs and sometimes the VCD releases all the time. My guess is I probably buy more than 300 a year and am always looking for new or oldies but goodies to watch and share with my wife. When I am out and about I always will stop when I see people selling videos to see what they have be it on the street or in the mall. As I continue to say, it is here and steps should be taken to provide more sever consequences to those involved but it is just hysteria going on right now ... not logic. So many people screaming and yelling about how it is right out in the open while MANY here who live and walk the area regularly have never seen it and these people who are screaming the loudest about it say nothing can be done and they have attempted to do nothing ... not even contacting an agency by phone or by email.

[Jingthing]

Please note. Do not take pictures of the vendors kiddie porn. You will be risking arrest. I am sure that it IS illegal to possess child porn in Thailand and if you have such images on your camera, you are guilty. Not to mention if you take such images past customs in countries like the US, who knows maybe they can even get your deleted images.

It isn't surprising people aren't seeing the open display now in Bangkok as there was this press publicity as reported on this thread, so the heat is on -- FOR NOW. Nobody has said this is going on ALL the time.

Edited October 8, 2010 by Jingthing

[rubl]

As people seem to go deaf on me I try again.

Only a few years ago you would see less porn and certainly no CP displayed along lower Sukhumvit. Something seems to have changed. What ? Did Bangkok get a different type of tourist, especially a type interested in CP ? Which segment of tourists forms the major market for street-sellers of CP ?

Street-sellers should be kept in reign and under control, but don't forget to target potential buyers

How many times have you seen CP displayed on tables on Sukimvit?

Years of living on Sukimvit and visiting the video vendors here and I have never seen it once. And I buy those pirated Hollywood DVDs and sometimes the VCD releases all the time. My guess is I probably buy more than 300 a year and am always looking for new or oldies but goodies to watch and share with my wife. When I am out and about I always will stop when I see people selling videos to see what they have be it on the street or in the mall. As I continue to say, it is here and steps should be taken to provide more sever consequences to those involved but it is just hysteria going on right now ... not logic. So many people screaming and yelling about how it is right out in the open while MANY here who live and walk the area regularly have never seen it and these people who are screaming the loudest about it say nothing can be done and they have attempted to do nothing ... not even contacting an agency by phone or by email.

Maybe I should have been a bit more clear, but I didn't say I saw CP. I refer to the report that is has been seen; and for sure I never saw any the like a few years ago.

And to repeat:

Street-sellers should be kept in reign and under control, but don't forget to target potential buyers

PS didn't buy any movies there for years, for most movies (comedies, war, action, SF, etc.) I can find usable torrents.

[jcbangkok]

Please note. Do not take pictures of the vendors kiddie porn. You will be risking arrest. I am sure that it IS illegal to possess child porn in Thailand and if you have such images on your camera, you are guilty. Not to mention if you take such images past customs in countries like the US, who knows maybe they can even get your deleted images.

It isn't surprising people aren't seeing the open display now in Bangkok as there was this recent arrest as reported on this thread. Nobody has said this is going on ALL the time.

Unless Thailand has very recently changed its laws, it is NOT illegal to posses child porn. However it is illegal to buy, sell, make or display it publicly.

** Obviously this should be an issue that should be addressed.

Edit: I believe even most countries with child porn laws stipulate you must be in possession of it for sexual gratification to be charged. This distinguishes between a naked picture of your kid in the tub to downloading some naked picture of some unknown child or art hanging in a gallery depicting nud_e children ... but of course laws can be interpreted many ways. Taking a picture of a vendor selling child porn for the purposes of stopping it, would not be a crime I believe in most countries. However, because I was shocked to hear CP was not illegal to posses in Thailand, I did verify in the past that possession of child porn is not illegal in Thailand. In fact, there is a thread somewhere on ThaiVisa about it. However, I am not a lawyer and certainly would advice others to research such topic if they plan to get photo evidence.

Edited October 8, 2010 by jcbangkok

[Insight]

As people seem to go deaf on me I try again.

Only a few years ago you would see less porn and certainly no CP displayed along lower Sukhumvit. Something seems to have changed. What ? Did Bangkok get a different type of tourist, especially a type interested in CP ? Which segment of tourists forms the major market for street-sellers of CP ?

Street-sellers should be kept in reign and under control, but don't forget to target potential buyers

I avoid that area all together owing to its "tourist trap" feel. Every time I go there I notice an escalation in what you mentioned and also wonder why the so-called "cops" have becoming even more lenient over the years. The cigarette "fines" are pretty low but still unfortunately a staple tourist scam in most parts of the world IMO. However selling what has been discussed on this thread, whether it be openly or the typical half-arsed cover up attempt down a side-soi, will ultimately end up biting Thailand hard once word circulates.

[Jingthing]

I reckon I should check out beach road again in Pattaya to see if they have heard about the publicity. If I do see it openly displayed in Pattaya, I plan to do absolutely NOTHING except to report here about it, as if it is there, very near the main Pattaya POLICE station, the police already know it is there (with all that implies).

[VictorMeldrewBKK]

Its obviously some sort of gangsters that control this. Although I find it very hard to understand why the average Thai or perhaps more self righteous gansgter doesnt do something about it, the "none of my business" attitude seems to be part of this society. Whats contradicting is that Thai people are so bloody nosey. Have you ever experienced a thai collegue or service person reading your mail or payslip or something...? Before it is passed to you they always read it. I have always said that Thai society is spineless and just proves my point again.

Just out of interest are their contact details for parts of the government or NGO' s or even the police force that deal with this...? Or not really...

Many Thais do have a look the other way attitude because most Thais also try to keep a low profile when they are up to no good. Make no mistake about it, Child Porn is easy to get on the street but it is NOT as a practice displayed openly. This would just make no sense what so ever. Too many customers buying the normal porn stuff would not deal with these vendors and anybody looking for it knows to ask and certainly doesn't want to be seen in public buying the stuff .. especially as a non-Thai (these folks here are making the claim it is sold openly on display and waived in pedestrian's faces as they walk by in tourist areas such as Sukimvit & Beach Rd. in Pattaya). Not only that, there are too many people from every country who would not think twice about ringing somebody's neck openly displaying stuff to anyone let alone women and kids. The cops are given very little from each vendor to look the other way for small infractions but even most cops are going to be sickened by this crap and not allow it to happen for 1 or 2 hundred (tops) a day bribe. These vendors are already paying to sell the standard porn stuff and they just don't make that much extra selling the kiddy stuff to be paying the cops large enough sums to make it worthwhile ... especially when it comes to child porn and being SO MANY groups out there who they have to contend with in terms of making HUGE issues for them and Thailand.

You say "Make no mistake about it, Child Porn is easy to get on the street but it is NOT as a practice displayed openly"

What does that mean though? Not as a practice?

Does that mean it is displayed openly but only sometimes?

As a practice, doctors try to help and cure people. Are there rare reports of doctors who purposely kill their patients .. of course.

It means exactly what I stated in the original post. Certainly everything can happen from time to time in this world but as a general rule ... it would be a rarity to to find Child Porn openly displayed and sold in these two very populated areas on the most busy sidewalks tourists use in Thailand. Child porn is NOT waived in the faces of tourist men, wives and children as they walk the streets of Sukimvit as posters here claim is done on a regular basis. I am sorry you folks who see this so much but have taken ZERO steps to do anything about it want to believe in this so much. My challenge is still here to provide me with proof and location such as a photo. You can cry and claim being scared all you want but it is not illegal to posses child porn in Thailand (only to sell or buy). So, taking a picture and blacking out the offending parts and posting or sending to me would not be illegal. Trust me, I will take action ... the first being contacting various the embassies.

The original article is a joke folks. It is all unnamed people from a reporter who has been caught lying in the past. He talks to Ambassadors but mentions no names. Same with police officials. He also does a count of all the porn vendors and what they are selling but leaves out the count of who is selling child porn openly even though this is what the story is about.

It is well known it is not hard to get and one simply has to ask for it from many of these folks selling standard porn titles but it is not sold in the same manner as adult porn titles and is not displayed along with standard adult porn titles.

This is no different than a news story of a UFO. All of a sudden after a reporting their are a group of folks who come out in full force saying they now have seen one too. Add to this kind of mentality a very emotional and hot topic such as porn and especially child porn ... you get flooded with folks who say they have seen it to. But in this case it shocks the sentences to have people here report what they have seen but have NEVER taken ANY action to do anything about it. Nothing even as simple as contacting an embassy, or child protection groups anonymously.

you write so bold like some super hero thats going to stop it. you admit there is child porn out there so again I ask you. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? Are you saying you won't do anything about it because you don't believe its displayed openly? So as long, in your mind, its not openly displayed you won't, as you assure us you can, actually stop it?

[jcbangkok]

As people seem to go deaf on me I try again.

Only a few years ago you would see less porn and certainly no CP displayed along lower Sukhumvit. Something seems to have changed. What ? Did Bangkok get a different type of tourist, especially a type interested in CP ? Which segment of tourists forms the major market for street-sellers of CP ?

Street-sellers should be kept in reign and under control, but don't forget to target potential buyers

How many times have you seen CP displayed on tables on Sukimvit?

Years of living on Sukimvit and visiting the video vendors here and I have never seen it once. And I buy those pirated Hollywood DVDs and sometimes the VCD releases all the time. My guess is I probably buy more than 300 a year and am always looking for new or oldies but goodies to watch and share with my wife. When I am out and about I always will stop when I see people selling videos to see what they have be it on the street or in the mall. As I continue to say, it is here and steps should be taken to provide more sever consequences to those involved but it is just hysteria going on right now ... not logic. So many people screaming and yelling about how it is right out in the open while MANY here who live and walk the area regularly have never seen it and these people who are screaming the loudest about it say nothing can be done and they have attempted to do nothing ... not even contacting an agency by phone or by email.

Maybe I should have been a bit more clear, but I didn't say I saw CP. I refer to the report that is has been seen; and for sure I never saw any the like a few years ago.

And to repeat:

Street-sellers should be kept in reign and under control, but don't forget to target potential buyers

PS didn't buy any movies there for years, for most movies (comedies, war, action, SF, etc.) I can find usable torrents.

No, you were clear and rational in your post and because of this ... that is why I asked if you had seen it. Was kind of making a point that the vast majority of non-over the top folks here have never seen it displayed openly. I guess the entire point I am trying to make here is we should not believe everything we read ... especially from a very poorly written news account from a reporter in a BKK English newspaper who in the past has proven to be very unreliable. Stories like this always bring out those who want to confirm such things are true. Some because it is an emotional issue to other who simply want all porn banned and everything in between. The problem with all this is that it doesn't help anything. Since the problem being stated is child porn being sold openly and not child porn in general. And as numerous people have pointed out (including an undercover team), it no longer (if ever) is sold openly. So, problem solved, right? Of course not, because the real problem has and continues to be it is easily accessed and sold by these vendors in a quiet manner which customers, police and everybody else would prefer as opposed to regularly being waived in the face of passing women and children in the most densely populated tourist sidewalks as has been claimed by posters.

Folks just need to use some common sense here. With the love of the Thai government to publicly prosecute Farangs for any sex charges ... what child predator would buy his child porn openly off the rack for everybody to see? And what Vendor would openly advertise they are a peddler of child porn when they would risk losing almost all their business of other video sales?

Edited October 8, 2010 by jcbangkok

[jcbangkok]

you write so bold like some super hero thats going to stop it. you admit there is child porn out there so again I ask you. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? Are you saying you won't do anything about it because you don't believe its displayed openly? So as long, in your mind, its not openly displayed you won't, as you assure us you can, actually stop it?

I have never seen it to try to put a stop to it. I have only heard numerous times it can easily be procured from some of these street vendors. I don't know which ones and have not ever witnessed it. Same as I have heard numerous times many motorcycle taxi drivers can procure drugs and other illegal things. Never seen it, not sure which are doing it but have heard it enough times from reasonable people to believe it is likely credible.

On the other hand, if I had ever seen child porn being peddled by a vendor (who I know will be there day in and day out) I would certainly take action even if it was just to send off numerous emails and make numerous phone calls. This seems to fly in the face of all the folks here who say they regularly see it openly being sold and displayed on the sidewalks where thousands upon thousands of tourists pass daily but have taken absolutely no action to do anything about it. I on the other hand, like so many rational folks here, I have never seen it.

Edited October 8, 2010 by jcbangkok

[jcbangkok]

As people seem to go deaf on me I try again.

Only a few years ago you would see less porn and certainly no CP displayed along lower Sukhumvit. Something seems to have changed. What ? Did Bangkok get a different type of tourist, especially a type interested in CP ? Which segment of tourists forms the major market for street-sellers of CP ?

Street-sellers should be kept in reign and under control, but don't forget to target potential buyers

I avoid that area all together owing to its "tourist trap" feel. Every time I go there I notice an escalation in what you mentioned and also wonder why the so-called "cops" have becoming even more lenient over the years. The cigarette "fines" are pretty low but still unfortunately a staple tourist scam in most parts of the world IMO. However selling what has been discussed on this thread, whether it be openly or the typical half-arsed cover up attempt down a side-soi, will ultimately end up biting Thailand hard once word circulates.

Agree 100% in terms of this biting Thailand in the behind. Didn't Thailand earlier this year fight hard to get off a UN or US list dealing with countries who haven't taken enough action to stop the exploitation of children? I wish I could find or remember this article but it was talked about a lot here on ThaiVisa. There is just no benefit to anybody including Tourists, Sellers, Child Predators, Street Vendors or anyone else to openly sell this stuff and put it on display. However, in my mind it is openly sold when one simply has to ask and now that word of this has gotten more and more known, I do expect to see action by numerous groups and responsible news organizations. I would also expect the Thai government to at the very least to drive it further underground so as not to hurt the country financially. But it still bothers me very much this has been put out there as being sold openly because if that is what the agencies and government look for, they are not going to find it.

[animatic]

Please note. Do not take pictures of the vendors kiddie porn. You will be risking arrest. I am sure that it IS illegal to possess child porn in Thailand and if you have such images on your camera, you are guilty. Not to mention if you take such images past customs in countries like the US, who knows maybe they can even get your deleted images.

It isn't surprising people aren't seeing the open display now in Bangkok as there was this recent arrest as reported on this thread. Nobody has said this is going on ALL the time.

Unless Thailand has very recently changed its laws, it is NOT illegal to posses child porn. However it is illegal to buy, sell, make or display it publicly.

** Obviously this should be an issue that should be addressed.

Edit: I believe even most countries with child porn laws stipulate you must be in possession of it for sexual gratification to be charged. This distinguishes between a naked picture of your kid in the tub to downloading some naked picture of some unknown child or art hanging in a gallery depicting nud_e children ... but of course laws can be interpreted many ways. Taking a picture of a vendor selling child porn for the purposes of stopping it, would not be a crime I believe in most countries. However, because I was shocked to hear CP was not illegal to posses in Thailand, I did verify in the past that possession of child porn is not illegal in Thailand. In fact, there is a thread somewhere on ThaiVisa about it. However, I am not a lawyer and certainly would advice others to research such topic if they plan to get photo evidence.

Tell that to Peter Townsend who wandered across internet CP and took the evidence to the local police, who promptly charged him with having the evidence he was reporting. I think it was eventually dropped, but not before the trashed his rep pretty good. Our public servants at work. Whistle blowers will be hung etc,.

Edited October 8, 2010 by animatic

[jcbangkok]

Please note. Do not take pictures of the vendors kiddie porn. You will be risking arrest. I am sure that it IS illegal to possess child porn in Thailand and if you have such images on your camera, you are guilty. Not to mention if you take such images past customs in countries like the US, who knows maybe they can even get your deleted images.

It isn't surprising people aren't seeing the open display now in Bangkok as there was this recent arrest as reported on this thread. Nobody has said this is going on ALL the time.

Unless Thailand has very recently changed its laws, it is NOT illegal to posses child porn. However it is illegal to buy, sell, make or display it publicly.

** Obviously this should be an issue that should be addressed.

Edit: I believe even most countries with child porn laws stipulate you must be in possession of it for sexual gratification to be charged. This distinguishes between a naked picture of your kid in the tub to downloading some naked picture of some unknown child or art hanging in a gallery depicting nud_e children ... but of course laws can be interpreted many ways. Taking a picture of a vendor selling child porn for the purposes of stopping it, would not be a crime I believe in most countries. However, because I was shocked to hear CP was not illegal to posses in Thailand, I did verify in the past that possession of child porn is not illegal in Thailand. In fact, there is a thread somewhere on ThaiVisa about it. However, I am not a lawyer and certainly would advice others to research such topic if they plan to get photo evidence.

Tell that to Peter Townsend who wandered across internet CP and took the evidence to the local police, who promptly charged him with having the evidence he was reporting. I think it was eventually dropped, but not before the trashed his rep pretty good. Our public servants at work. Whistle blowers will be hung etc,.

You might want to go back an research the facts. He didn't go to the police. He was caught and used this for an excuse stating he used his credit card to enter a child porn site to see what was there and rambled about wanting to stop child porn since he was a victim as a child (the number #1 indicator of a future pedophile). I also stated laws can be interpreted many ways. We have also all heard the stories of art gallaries being raided as we have heard the story of innocent people being put on death row. This doesn't mean we should never leave our house ... of course not because there are also stories of police raiding the wrong house and actually shooting innocent people in the house.

I guess we can all look at these very rare examples and pretend they are main stream happenings ... kind of like this whole open display of CP and being waived in the faces of passer byes on main tourist walkways. Making this the issue, does nothing to combat any real issues.

Edit: Although Pete was caught as part of a sting operation ... I also believe he was acquitted even though he paid to view child porn on his computer and NEVER went to authorities and only claimed to being doing research after he was arrested.

Edited October 8, 2010 by jcbangkok