Early Closedown Angers Thai Sex Industry

[george]

Early closedown angers Thai sex industry

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's renowned, multibillion-dollar nightlife industry has scored a victory of sorts over the government - but the bar girls are no happier about it than the bureaucrats.

Hoping to keep the young from drugs, sex and alcohol - and tone down the country's global image as an anything-goes nightlife hotspot - the government last month approved a regulation that would have closed down bars, clubs, restaurants and massage parlours outside of designated zones at midnight instead of 2 a.m.

Although much applauded by parents and teachers, and hardly a death blow to the industry, the move drew a storm of protest.

Half a dozen women clad in spaghetti-strap tops and skirts rallied in front of Government House, carrying banners that demanded a review of the resolution. The protesters, led by massage parlour king Chuwit Komolvisit, said entertainment workers' incomes would be greatly reduced because of the midnight closing time.

Bar owners, saying they are honest businessmen who happened to work at night, petitioned the government. Some senior officials, themselves investors in the industry, also noted that tourism, the country's Number 1 foreign exchange earner, would be hurt.

In the end, the government bowed to pressure and said entertainment venues could stay open until 1 a.m. Officials also grew vague about a pending measure to keep youth under 18 from leaving home between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. without an accompanying parent.

Although many welcome the compromise, some are still complaining about the loss of potential revenue.

"It's crystal clear that Thailand's effort to sanitise Bangkok is useless. There's nothing wrong with this industry. This one-hour difference isn't going to make an impact on the problem but on the operators," says Chuwit, who owns a string of massage parlours.

"Even one hour means a lot. They will have a really, really tough time making ends meet. Most didn't enter this industry for nothing. We need fast money to feed our families upcountry and save as much money to start a new life," said Mac, a 23-year-old go-go dancer on Bangkok's big nightlife strip, Patpong Road.

Mac, who declined to give her full name, is among entertainment workers who can still work until 2 a.m. since Patpong Road is one of several zones in Thailand exempt from the slightly tougher regulation.

According to the Interior Ministry, 70% of Bangkok's entertainment venues are located outside the three designated zones - Patpong, Ratchadapisek and New Phetchaburi roads - which are the main red-light districts. Venues outside these zones are mostly pubs and restaurants, discos and karaoke bars.

The government says there are about 200,000 sex workers in Thailand, most working in Bangkok and tourist spots around the country. By one estimate, the sex industry accounts for 3% of Thailand's economic pie, or about £2.5 billion a year. Other estimates are far higher.

Additionally, the country offers a great range of other entertainment options for both Thais and foreign tourists, which employ tens of thousands of workers.

Mostly at the lower end of the income spectrum, they already took a hit three years ago when the government changed closing hours from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. as part of a "social order" campaign.

--IC Wales 2004-03-10

[britmaveric]

Hmmmm thats odd, why are they writing this article now? Old news unless they were waiting for the other shoe to drop!