UNICEF Urges Thailand To Crack Down On Porn

[george]

UNICEF urges Thailand to crack down on child pornography

BANGKOK, October 11, 2010 (AFP) - The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Monday urged Thailand to take tough action against people found producing, distributing or selling child pornography.

The call follows local media reports that child pornography DVDs are being sold openly in areas of Bangkok that are popular with tourists.

"The sale of such material is a blatant and serious violation of children's rights, and it must not be tolerated for another day," Tomoo Hozumi, the UNICEF representative in Thailand, said in a statement.

"Thailand has made great progress in protecting children from sexual exploitation and other forms of abuse," Hozumi said.

"But by not responding quickly to these reports, it is in danger of damaging its reputation as a country that is working hard to stop the exploitation of children".

Thailand is infamous for its flourishing prostitution and child sex trafficking but has made efforts in recent years to clean up its image.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-10-11

Related topic:

Child Porn On Sukhumvit Stirs Outrage

SUKHUMVIT VENDORS OPENLY SELL VCDS:

[Jingthing]

Good on UNICEF. Think that will actually help though? What power does UNICEF have over internal problems in Thailand? Urging? Where's the teeth?

[pedro01]

Loss of face will be the motivation, saving kids over kickbacks wouldn't even be a consideration.

[Jingthing]

Loss of face will be the motivation, saving kids over kickbacks wouldn't even be a consideration.

Does Thailand still have ANY face to lose these days?

[animatic]

Loss of face will be the motivation, saving kids over kickbacks wouldn't even be a consideration.

Does Thailand still have ANY face to lose these days?

All look like eggs as far as I can see.

[chantorn]

Thailand is a Buddhist country.

There is no porn in Thailand, let alone child porn.

[animatic]

Thailand is a Buddhist country.

There is no porn in Thailand, let alone child porn.

Saw standard porn on Sukhumvit with my own eyes, without looking for it,

4 days running last week. Just had to walk by on the sidewalk

Go look for yourself, then speak out.

[Thai at Heart]

Thailand is a Buddhist country.

There is no porn in Thailand, let alone child porn.

For the first time on TV, I am searching for the ignore button.

Edited October 11, 2010 by Thai at Heart

[dantilley]

Don't you know sarcasm when you read it?

[Thai at Heart]

Don't you know sarcasm when you read it?

Read other contributions from the same poster. Endless drivel.

[dantilley]

OK, so a troll then - either way, not the real thoughts of a real person...

[Thai at Heart]

OK, so a troll then - either way, not the real thoughts of a real person...

And 'sarcasm is the lowest form of wit' anyway.

Bravo Unicef!

Edited October 11, 2010 by Thai at Heart

[britmaveric]

Waste of time in reality.... clean-ups are only temporary and for show in thailand.

[phetaroi]

Thailand is a Buddhist country.

There is no porn in Thailand, let alone child porn.

1. Although Buddhism may be the dominant spiritual foundation for Thais, are as apt to kneel in front of a Hindu god (check out the statues at Central World or Erawan Shrine if you think I'm wrong) as a statue of Buddha; the spirit houses are just one examples of animist tendencies; have you forgotten about Thai Muslims?

2. If you're an adult and you look like you have any money, if you've walked through Pantip Plaza, then you've had porn DVDs shoved in your face...sometimes when policemen are in plain sight.

[Tokay]

Good luck.

Maybe after they knock this out they'll go after the child prostitutes.

Edited October 11, 2010 by Tokay

[phetaroi]

OK, so a troll then - either way, not the real thoughts of a real person...

No, her posts over a long period time show that she is one of the Thais who wears blinders.

[onnut]

There is porn all over the show! And it is a double whammy because it's all coppies.

I have to say though that I have never seen child porn while walking around! But then again I don't look for it.

Saw some dildos today in Silom!

And a few hookers!

[News_Editor]

UNICEF urges Thailand for government action against child pornography

2010-10-11 20:32:24 GMT+7 (ICT)

BANGKOK, THAILAND (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Monday urged Thai authorities to bring to bear "the full force of the law" on those found to be producing, distributing or selling videos or any other material related to the sexual exploitation of children.

Tomoo Hozumi, the UNICEF Representative in Thailand, called upon authorities to "act quickly" on recent newspaper reports about the open display and sale of graphic sexual videos involving children.

"The sale of such material is a blatant and serious violation of children’s rights, and it must not be tolerated for another day." Hozumi said.

The Bangkok Post newspaper has highlighted the display and sale of child pornography DVDs and VCDs in recent reports. These sales can be seen along Sukhumvit Road, from Sukhumvit Soi 3 to Soi 21.

"Thailand has made great progress in protecting children from sexual exploitation and other forms of abuse," Hozumi said. "But by not responding quickly to these reports, it is in danger of damaging its reputation as a country that is working hard to stop the exploitation of children."

In addition to stopping the sale of such videos, which the reports said featured children from several countries, including Thailand, Hozumi said authorities also should investigate where and how such videos are being produced and distributed to vendors.

"Authorities need to bring to bear the full force of the law on anyone found to be producing, distributing or selling videos or any other materials related to the sexual exploitation of children," Hozumi said.

Under Thai law, selling pornographic material is a criminal offense carrying a maximum penalty of three years imprisonment and a maximum fine of Baht 6,000 ($200).

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2010-10-11

[eateer]

There is porn all over the show! And it is a double whammy because it's all coppies.

I have to say though that I have never seen child porn while walking around! But then again I don't look for it.

Saw some dildos today in Silom!

And a few hookers!

I have noticed child porn between soi 15 and soi 13. I had to do a double take as i walked past the dvd shop.

[Jingthing]

There is porn all over the show! And it is a double whammy because it's all coppies.

I have to say though that I have never seen child porn while walking around! But then again I don't look for it.

Saw some dildos today in Silom!

And a few hookers!

I have noticed child porn between soi 15 and soi 13. I had to do a double take as i walked past the dvd shop.

Careful what you say here about that. You have just opened yourself to being charged with these things here on our friendly forum:

1. You must be lying

2. You must have imagined what you saw

3. You actually saw 18 year old models posing as 10 year olds

4. The covers were kiddie porn, but inside were Monty Python Flying Circus episodes

5. The vendors couldn't possibly be selling such stuff as the police would arrest them within minutes

6. Because you didn't immediately report this to the police, you are a "worthless piece of trash"

7. You probably are just telling us this so that pervs can know exactly where to buy it

8. Why do your eyes function so that you see this stuff? You might be a perv also, and are trying to promote the kiddie porn industry

9. Other posters must have concluded you buy this stuff regularly

10. You are a victim of a mass hysteria, people all over the place hysterically imagining they saw kiddie porn openly sold in tourist areas, similar to mass hysterical UFO sightings, or mass hysterical vomiting marathons ...

How do I know this? It happened to me, here on Thaivisa.

Edited October 11, 2010 by Jingthing

[elshaheen]

Last Friday, a friend from Singapore and myself were doing some bar hopping. As we decided to go waking up towards Burger King, we were approached by XXX DVD sales boys working all along Silom area, on both sides of the road. They asked my friend if he liked Young Boy and showed him some of the covers and both of use quickly got away. We were then again approached by another man advertising the same thing. We told him, we’re not interested.

As we turned around and headed in the opposite direction, toward Pat pong. Some old man asked us, you want young boy or girl to play with.

Just then, Silom was closed off. A whole caravan of police cars, security van’s and so on. Right in the middle was a tan colored car with one of the royal family members. My friend and I played out respect to whoever was in the car. The old man, continued to try to pawn off some young boy or girl for sex. I then pointed to the old man, the royal family. He said, who cares, we own this part of town and proceeded to point to the police standing guard.

After that episode, my respect for Thai in that area just went into the gutter. To do such a shameful act in front of a member of the Royal family or even to any royal family is complete disregard in any society. My friend stated the same thing about Thai to; they lack respect and don’t deserve respect in any way, shape of form.

So, how can any Thai in that area, doing business in that way which is considered by most to be one of the lowest forms of illigal business, be asked to be respected. Clearly, why didn't they just flip off the car as it went buy, that's the same thing. Clearly, the police on patrol don't care either to enforce a level of morality or standards there.

[Jingthing]

The police most likely participate in the business, don't you think?

[rubl]

Careful what you say here about that. You have just opened yourself to being charged with these things here on our friendly forum:

1. You must be lying

2. You must have imagined what you saw

3. You actually saw 18 year old models posing as 10 year olds

4. The covers were kiddie porn, but inside were Monty Python Flying Circus episodes

5. The vendors couldn't possibly be selling such stuff as the police would arrest them within minutes

6. Because you didn't immediately report this to the police, you are a "worthless piece of trash"

7. You probably are just telling us this so that pervs can know exactly where to buy it

8. Why do your eyes function so that you see this stuff? You might be a perv also, and are trying to promote the kiddie porn industry

9. Other posters must have concluded you buy this stuff regularly

10. You are a victim of a mass hysteria, people all over the place hysterically imagining they saw kiddie porn openly sold in tourist areas, similar to mass hysterical UFO sightings, or mass hysterical vomiting marathons ...

How do I know this? It happened to me, here on Thaivisa.

you missed a few:

1a. You are lying

8a. YOU MUST BE A PERV YOURSELF

11. You obviously are a <insert color> shirt supporter.

12a You haven't lived in Thailand long enough.

12b You probably never lived in Thailand.

13. You #@%%#@, how dare you (need to look quickly, bound to be removed by a mod).

Keep smiling

[pedro01]

OK, so a troll then - either way, not the real thoughts of a real person...

No, her posts over a long period time show that she is one of the Thais who wears blinders.

Actually 'her' posts over a long period show she is a western guy having a laugh.

[inmysights]

Last Friday, a friend from Singapore and myself were doing some bar hopping. As we decided to go waking up towards Burger King, we were approached by XXX DVD sales boys working all along Silom area, on both sides of the road. They asked my friend if he liked Young Boy and showed him some of the covers and both of use quickly got away. We were then again approached by another man advertising the same thing. We told him, we're not interested.

As we turned around and headed in the opposite direction, toward Pat pong. Some old man asked us, you want young boy or girl to play with.

Just then, Silom was closed off. A whole caravan of police cars, security van's and so on. Right in the middle was a tan colored car with one of the royal family members. My friend and I played out respect to whoever was in the car. The old man, continued to try to pawn off some young boy or girl for sex. I then pointed to the old man, the royal family. He said, who cares, we own this part of town and proceeded to point to the police standing guard.

After that episode, my respect for Thai in that area just went into the gutter. To do such a shameful act in front of a member of the Royal family or even to any royal family is complete disregard in any society. My friend stated the same thing about Thai to; they lack respect and don't deserve respect in any way, shape of form.

So, how can any Thai in that area, doing business in that way which is considered by most to be one of the lowest forms of illigal business, be asked to be respected. Clearly, why didn't they just flip off the car as it went buy, that's the same thing. Clearly, the police on patrol don't care either to enforce a level of morality or standards there.

I'm not quit sure whether you're more pissed off with the old vendor selling child pornography or that he and no doubt many others are doing it regardless of whether the royal family are but a spit away or what?

Edited October 11, 2010 by inmysights

[BigC]

ok starting again.

considering all porn is illegal then thailand are doing more to protect children from porn than europe and america.

Edited October 11, 2010 by BigC

[Jingthing]

Post withdrawn.

Edited October 11, 2010 by Jingthing

[BigC]

Thailand is a Buddhist country.

There is no porn in Thailand, let alone child porn.

Agree and disagree

england's a christian country. christains don't have porn. infact neither does any religion. i don't know why Thailand has to use the religous card for normal adult porn. confused!! then again if all porn is illegal then Thailand is number 1 for not promoting child sex through porn.

If they want to stop it they should go for the people who buy it and for the protectors of the children who look the other way and receive cash !

Edited October 11, 2010 by BigC

[geriatrickid]

OK, so a troll then - either way, not the real thoughts of a real person...

No, her posts over a long period time show that she is one of the Thais who wears blinders.

Or plump white male have a giggle.

[jcbangkok]

ok starting again.

considering all porn is illegal then thailand are doing more to protect children from porn than europe and america.

Yes and no. The partial attempt may be there but consider there are not laws against possession of child porn in Thailand. All the laws are based on sales, purchase, distribution or display.

And having a law that is not enforced many times is worse than not having a law at all. Not to get off topic but consider the Red Shirts take over of BKK 6-months ago and their many illegal actions including storming the Parliament. In other parts of the world, it is not the laws that stop people from doing such things ... it is the consequences to breaking these laws.

People get bolder and bolder as they see laws will not be enforced.

And I by no means am slamming Thailand as I love this country and believe it has made significant and rapid changes to improve itself. But it is still a developing nation and like all others ... it takes time.

Hopefully the open display of child porn is something that can be used by the Government to show some things are just not going to be tolerated regardless of corruption ... this would go a long way in curbing other outrageous and terrible disregard of laws that all civil society finds extremely horrific.

Edited October 11, 2010 by jcbangkok