Police beef up operations against prostitution in entertainment venues

[spermwhale]

I doubt this will include the thousands of houses of prostitution masking as massage parlors.

[kevinsan]

When Mr. T was first in power, he made all the dancers wear long jeans and long sleeve shirts. And all the bars closed at 11:30 pm.

[micmichd]

You could shut down every bar and club and still not stop prostitution , If you own a bar now would be a good time to sell.

[ttthailand]

Prostitution is not sold directly by the bars but as everyone knows most of the girls there will go out for a barfine payment with the intended goal of exchanging sex for money. The legal loophole is that the bars only release the girls for money and they don't make money from the sex act itself. It us up to the girls. But isn't that still selling the girl's time for money... Bar fine? Same as an escort service I guess.

If they ever start shutting down the gogos and beer bars that offer girls with a barfine it will be the end of Thailand's tourist industry. I would guess 40% drop within a year if they really enforced laws and tried to end all prostitution.

[bigbearjohn]

Pattaya gonna be a ghost town

Cancelling this year's trip to Thailand as of right now.

We'll see what happens when Thailand loses over half

of its tourists.

[micmichd]

Sexpats will hate me for that, but it just came into my mind that it takes 2 to tango, and maybe 2 for an act of prostitution.

In some Scandinavian country they go now for the male part of the two, why not do the same in Thailand?

Many Farangs use all kinds of public services provided by women or ladyboys, and then go for bashing them after. I would like to see some quantitative data about those Farangs, they would certainly have time for a few questions, don't they?

[xavierr]

Looks good on the headlines: "The arm of the law is taking action against vice, the country is becoming more virtuous." But does it serve any practical purpose when so much of the tourist industry hinges on that non-virtuous side of the country?

[Assurancetourix]

Operation Corned beef

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100303/

Edited February 1, 2015 by Assurancetourix

[PhilipCook]

Amusing when anyone attempts to clamp down on the informal economy, its merely a power grab. Those immersed in such activities need it to remain informal so as to control it and I don't mean those actually performing or working. Supply and demand remain, but those in control of areas/activities change. The informal sector needs to bring the services directly to customers ie Uber Booty and cut the pimps(officials of varying uniforms and levels)

[Thaiwine]

Does this include brothels, BJ bars, 'massage' parlors, hairdressers, karaoke's, coffee shops and pubs?

Hairdressers, coffee shops ??

I need to get out more

[MrWorldwide]

Pattaya gonna be a ghost town

Right, because the law is strictly enforced here. Oh, wait ......

As long as they board up the knock shops along Ratchadapisek Rd and turn out the lights outside the bars in Saphan Kwai, bring it on. Let's see how long it lasts in a country where prostitution has been tolerated for centuries on the basis that Thai men have an incredibly strong sex drive. This is another window dressing effort, although I agree with others that it could be used to settle old scores and raise a little revenue for the BiB.

The General spent a ridiculous amount of time in his last speech banging on about the challenges facing Thailand's agricultural sector, stressing that people cant just sit around waiting for government handouts. With the official poverty rate at 12.9% of Thailand's 65 million population, it doesnt take a genius to see the potential for civil unrest if the sex workers currently sending money back to the provinces find themselves unable to work courtesy of a crackdown. ~2.5 million prostitutes (according to the NGOs), the vast majority of them servicing Thai men - I just dont see anyone messing with that industry, particularly with the money it generates. Whatever token raids they conduct in front of the media, this will have no lasting impact IMO, least of all in a town that Thailand surrendered long ago to the Disney Corporation.

[SaintLouisBlues]

That's why there is a "barfine".

Strictly speaking that's not the purpose of the barfine. The barfine or "off" fee is the amount paid by the customer to compensate the business owner for taking an employee "off" or away from the premises. Supposedly the business owner uses the barfine to employ a substitute

[ttthailand]

If they ever start going after the Johns as they do in other countries it will be the beginning of the end.

Where I come from they post your photo and name in the paper along with a fine if you get nabbed in a prostitution sting operation. But here most guys would not really care about the photo because too many people do same.... Hahaha... But it would be like paying a double barfine, one for the house and one for the police.

[RigPig]

This will be another catch 22. When you don't pay your police force a fair wage, they have no choice but to sell favors and do whatever it takes to supplement their income.

If turning a blind eye to prostitution gets them kick-backs, they can't afford not to do it

"When you don't pay your police force a fair wage,...."

The average street copper does not control massage parlors and gambling venues or own bars.

That is the purview of the senior commanders, you know, the ones that the junta has slowly been arresting for corruption and other shady operations.

The biggest fish was caught before Christmas and that caused major ripples all the way to the apex of Thai society.

The average bent street copper only tries to imitate his superiors and aim for a few hundred baht a day.

They weren´t arrested for corruption (as far as I know no one has been this was just something on the side) they were arrested and imprisoned for LM (and I haven´t seen anything about corruption charges or convictions so far, please correct me if I am wrong), and this was done for other reasons.

Would this clarify anything?

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/nov/25/thai-senior-police-officer-corruption-charges

It just confirms my statement.

QUOTE(S):

¨A senior Thai police officer and six colleagues have been arrested on charges ranging from bribery to insulting the monarchy as an internal investigation widens, Thailand’s national police chief police said.¨

¨The suspects are alleged to have used claims of links to the royal palace in carrying out the wrongdoing, but Somyot declined to elaborate on the charges of lese majeste – insulting the monarchy – which carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison.¨

¨In addition to sensitivity over any matters linked to the monarchy, the case has caused unease because one suspect died after being transferred from his post but before being charged. Police insist his death was suicide by falling from a tall building, but his almost immediate cremation has led to speculation of a coverup.¨

Look at the supposed ¨fall out¨ from all of this and you may see the reason for it.

Also name someone who has been prosecuted for corruption and not LM, the people involved with this have already been convicted for LM but there has been no mention of corruption charges (as of yet) and with the scale of corruption in this country I wouldn´t think that it would be too hard to find some and act on it.

[Vermor]

Don't worry, Patts and Nana/Cowboy are (for the most part) safe, they're in the less than 1% legal category, but 100% more visible category ... it's the 10's of 1,000's of illegal THAI-only bars that most foreigners never see and that are where most of these bad things go on. A large proportion of which are owned/operated by the same politicians/police/military who are policing them.

Maybe that's the best comment with common sens that I ve read !

Phuket Pattaya and Bangkok, sexpats or sextourists are "safe"...

There are venue owned by chinese that are far more illegal, disgusting, immoral, dirty, I dont have a good word...

Plus yes some karaoke that it is said "dangerous for farrang" to go. You can find bills on the internet from 20k thb to 120k thb payed by rich people. It s usual to read in the news that a karaoke venue has been putting down, and they find 2-3 minor girls,.etc...

By the way, there is so much misunderstanding about "prostitution" that I read here :

A "barfine" isn't prostitution.

Massage venue offers...massage. nobody knows what happen in the room. Same with a girl going to your room...nobody knows what happen...(even if everybody guess)

The only way to avoid street prostitution is that there is a complain with proof of it.

Go-go bars are legal, bars with ladydrinks are legal, everything that pay taxes would be "legal" ! What is illegal, is to have sex inside the venue, or to stay open after 2-3am ( depending on the area).

[BigC]

Police beef up operations against prostitution in entertainment venues

BANGKOK, 31 January 2015 (NNT) - The Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police has instructed all police units to arrest illegal entertainment venues nationwide in an effort to prevent prostitution.

Police Spokesman Pol Lt Gen Prawut Thawornsiri said they were a great number of entertainment venues, such as night clubs, karaoke bars and restaurants, involved in prostitition and human trafficking. The national police chief therefore ordered all police units to enforce all related laws against the crime, especially child prostitution.

Those who recommitted prostitution and human trafficking would face stronger charges and police officials who did not take the crime seriously were subject to investigation, the spokesman added.

-- NNT 2015-01-31

Why not just say tourists go home. If you want to come to Thailand and enjoy yourself. If you are for forang lady and you wear bikini then you deserve to get murdered

And might as well re set the year and change the Callander while at it. Plus set up nore special prisons for people that have un exeptable attitudes

[atyclb]

Authorities are posturing for the "crackdown" as opposed to the "crack up"

Interesting new spin on things.

[uptheos]

How do you arrest a venue! Right then, come along with me you naughty Nana Plaza, you're nicked!!

How do you arrest a postcode or an entire part of a city or resort?

"Pattaya, you are charged with prostitution, how do you plead?"

"Guilty my Lord, but society is to blame".

[bristolgeoff]

does not exist in Thailand like vegas.plenty of escorts thou

[ratcatcher]

Sexpats will hate me for that, but it just came into my mind that it takes 2 to tango, and maybe 2 for an act of prostitution.

In some Scandinavian country they go now for the male part of the two, why not do the same in Thailand?

Many Farangs use all kinds of public services provided by women or ladyboys, and then go for bashing them after. I would like to see some quantitative data about those Farangs, they would certainly have time for a few questions, don't they?

"...........why not do the same in Thailand?

Do you seriously want Thailand to be like boring Scandinavia? Why do you think Hua Hin is so popular with Nordic males?

As to farangs using these services and then "bashing them after". Watching too many movies?

Perhaps you could apply to the Thai government to do a "Quantitative" study on the benefits and drawbacks to prostitution in the Kingdom.

"...it takes 2 to tango, and maybe 2 for an act of prostitution."

Actually many people believe it takes three or more to tango, depending on the dancers.

Prostitution isn't an act. It is a business or practice whereby one party provides sexual acts in exchange for money.

[ttthailand]

The only way that they could clamp down on farang bar prostitution would be to make it illegal to charge a customer or a bar employee from removing someone from the bar. The customer nor the girl can be charged or pay. But they will always find a loophole unless sting operations are used. Maybe a new job for farangs, government Johns.

[Nielsk]

The main object of OP !

"The national police chief therefore ordered all police units to enforce all related laws against the crime, especially child prostitution."

"especially child prostitution"

I am sure and I hope You all can agree with me, that is what has to be dealt with and severely punished as possible.

They don't go for prostitution in general.

Hope we got that right.

Edited February 1, 2015 by Nielsk

[Jungle Jim]

OMG! Millions of foreign sex tourists, expats, perverts and alcoholics will have to go elsewhere. If this is true. One of my happiest moments in Thailand. I can hear the moans already on the forum.

[lildragon]

Legalise prostitution and license venues. Make it safer for sex workers with proper regulation. Make their income subject to tax as a self-employed person, and create a strict system of HIV/STD testing.

In addition, provide back to work/training opportunities that would put girls in a position to get a job/start a business worth 20k+ a month (and free childcare to support this). This would be a wonderful initiative for those girls who left school at a young age with little eduction, were forced to marry young, then got divorced and were left with kids to look after, and therefore stumbled into one of very few job opportunities that pays more than 8,000 a month.

Sexpat: "But Kenny, then there would be less young, impoverished, uneducated, societally exploited girls for us to have sex with".

Kenny: "Errr, yes. Haven't you got a daughter? Wouldn't you want better for her?

Sexpert: "But they f'ing love it, don't they! They was born to do this the little "bleep, bleep, bleeps".

Thai official: "But Kenny, funding child care with state money would mean we'd have to all cut back on extravagant expenses and dipping our fingers into government project budget pots. Moreover, we have a welfare state that provides child support already.

Kenny: Really? That's great!

Thai Official: Yes, it's called "the farang" - 55555+

People say I'm a dreamer...but I'm not the only one...

You're not a dreamer Kenny. I concur 100% with your solution but now that the people who could make it happen won't ever do it because of greed.

This is just another pointless crackdown. Some places will get raided, some will remain open, new ones will crop up. History repeats itself in Thailand like no other nation I've ever seen.

[micmichd]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Nana, Cowboy, Patpong ... are legal entertainment venues.

Edit: As well as other areas including much of Pataya.

The venues may be legal but what of some of the activities conducted within ?

Point is they are not affected by what is being mentioned in the OP.

As for legal, it is debatable but general rule is as long as the acts are not being committed on premises and not done in a vulgar (forget exact legal term they use) manner then it is legal.

Edit: I "think" entertainment areas like the Ratchada massage parlors it is legal on premises.

What about all of the illegal beer bars on the sidewalks on Asoke and Sukhumvit. These have all the the same things found in the "entertainment venues" booze, irls for hire, drunks, loud bad music,etc and they are allowed to stay open to the sunrises and you can actually see what the girls look like... We know who run these....

[Jungle Jim]

Sexual acts in exchange for money. You mean marriage ?

Sexpats will hate me for that, but it just came into my mind that it takes 2 to tango, and maybe 2 for an act of prostitution.
In some Scandinavian country they go now for the male part of the two, why not do the same in Thailand?
Many Farangs use all kinds of public services provided by women or ladyboys, and then go for bashing them after. I would like to see some quantitative data about those Farangs, they would certainly have time for a few questions, don't they?

"...........why not do the same in Thailand?

Do you seriously want Thailand to be like boring Scandinavia? Why do you think Hua Hin is so popular with Nordic males?
As to farangs using these services and then "bashing them after". Watching too many movies?

Perhaps you could apply to the Thai government to do a "Quantitative" study on the benefits and drawbacks to prostitution in the Kingdom.

"...it takes 2 to tango, and maybe 2 for an act of prostitution."

Actually many people believe it takes three or more to tango, depending on the dancers.

Prostitution isn't an act. It is a business or practice whereby one party provides sexual acts in exchange for money.

[ratcatcher]

OMG! Millions of foreign sex tourists, expats, perverts and alcoholics will have to go elsewhere. If this is true. One of my happiest moments in Thailand. I can hear the moans already on the forum.

It's all right for you Jungle Jim, they named a bar in Soi Cowboy after you, what about the rest of the guys?

Edited February 1, 2015 by ratcatcher

[ratcatcher]

Sexual acts in exchange for money. You mean marriage ?

Sexpats will hate me for that, but it just came into my mind that it takes 2 to tango, and maybe 2 for an act of prostitution.

In some Scandinavian country they go now for the male part of the two, why not do the same in Thailand?

Many Farangs use all kinds of public services provided by women or ladyboys, and then go for bashing them after. I would like to see some quantitative data about those Farangs, they would certainly have time for a few questions, don't they?

"...........why not do the same in Thailand?

Do you seriously want Thailand to be like boring Scandinavia? Why do you think Hua Hin is so popular with Nordic males?

As to farangs using these services and then "bashing them after". Watching too many movies?

Perhaps you could apply to the Thai government to do a "Quantitative" study on the benefits and drawbacks to prostitution in the Kingdom.

"...it takes 2 to tango, and maybe 2 for an act of prostitution."

Actually many people believe it takes three or more to tango, depending on the dancers.

Prostitution isn't an act. It is a business or practice whereby one party provides sexual acts in exchange for money.

Sexual acts in exchange for money. You mean marriage ?

That too, Jim. Hollywood is filled with dream stories of marriages made in heaven. Old male, sexy young female. The stuff of movies.

[thespecialist6]

TAT will not be pleased to hear this,as that is what a lot of tourists

come here for,not just for temples,culture,food etc,if this does take

off,what will a sterile,squeaky clean Thailand be like.

regards Worgeordie

I thought prostitution was illegal in thailand and never happened ? does this mean it is now considered to be illegal as they are cracking down on it , did they not crackdown on it before ?

[atyclb]

Does this include brothels, BJ bars, 'massage' parlors, hairdressers, karaoke's, coffee shops and pubs?

Hairdressers, coffee shops ??

I need to get out more

talk about being screwed, have you seen the prices at starbucks,