Prostitution: Thailand's worst kept secret

[cumgranosalum]

A friend of mine, who is rather influential and ran the largest HIV foundation in Thailand for many years, told me it is well known in NGO circles, that there are more women per capita working in the sex industry in the US, than in Thailand. I realize many will say no way. Not in the US! But, it is so far underground, and so well hidden, that it is hard to believe. In LA alone, there must be 100,000 escorts. Between that area, the massage, and porn, it is a huge industry in the US. Here it is a lot more out in the open, so it appears large. But, my guess is we are talking about less than 1% of the population that is involved in the industry in the LOS.

e many people who believe anecdotal evidence they either hear or interpret incorrectly.......the US is estimated to have about 1 to 2 million prostitutes.....and Thailand - guess what - about 1 to 2 million prostitutes.

the first thing you notice about those figures is that they are numerically the same which puts Thailand way ahead of US per capita.

The next thing is the huge range - this is because in places like Thailand registration and educated guesses are very difficult as are all "surveys" of the sex trade.

trying to make comparisons between the US and Thailand is pretty pointless anyway as they are like apples and pear...the one thing that is always in the background with sex workers though is poverty.........both Thailand and US have appalling records in dealing with poverty in their respective countries.

[NoshowJones]

Without prostitution Thailand would easily lose 50% of Tourists.

People who deny this are just liars and/or ignorant.

But it's all about appearances and saving face.

Sorry, I thought you meant 50% of losers.

Are you one of the 99.99% of foreigners here that HASN'T been with a prostitute?

<sarcasm>

I've never been with a prostitute, I have never had to pay for sex because I'm handsome.

[brewsterbudgen]

Shocking, totally shocking. I always believed that prostitution is illegal in Thailand, like most anywhere else. And now this revelation. It is still going on? How can it be?

protitution is NOT illegal in most western countries....even UK

Prostitution in Thailand is regulated under various different statutes. Most aspects that are illegal in the UK are also illegal in Thailand, like soliciting, underage, trafficking and pimping.

I can't see the point of the article, other than a cheap headline.

[MRDave]

Without prostitution Thailand would easily lose 50% of Tourists.

People who deny this are just liars and/or ignorant.

But it's all about appearances and saving face.

Sorry, I thought you meant 50% of losers.

So you came to look at the temples and soak up the culture?

[Travelman868]

They're are no prostitutes in Thailand but lots of ladies looking for husbands and willing to spend short time or long time with men to see if they are sexually compatible.

Don't forget the boys, looking for a correct fit

[Artisi]

They're are no prostitutes in Thailand but lots of ladies looking for husbands and willing to spend short time or long time with men to see if they are sexually compatible.

wrong, you really mean - there couldn't be any Thai ladies involved in prostitution, cause they are all Burmese.

[coulson]

What would Thailand have had to attract tourists apart from a lot of sandy beaches, a few nice mountain areas in the north and a lot of crumbling ancient temples. Oh, and the elephants too.

That sounds kinda nice..........

[Beetlejuice]

The Thai sex industry has always been a prevalent part of Thailand throughout the centuries, but back in the old days it was mostly kept within the local communities. It could be described as part of the Thai cultural way of life. Prostitution was not frowned upon or considered a taboo subject as in the western countries. As a matter of fact being a cleaner or a servant was considered a lower grade of work than prostitution.

Then when the Japanese troops arrived on mass during WW2, they created large brothels for the servicing of their armies, the prostitutes being known as comfort women These became widespread throughout the country and especially in Bangkok, in areas that later developed into the entertainment complex, PatPong.
During the Vietnam war, American and Australian troops came over on mass that revitalised the sex industry here, what could be described as the first commercialised adult entertainments venues.

Then after the Vietnam war these establishments began to cater for western tourists, many actually holidaying in Thailand because of the lure of it`s women, that in Thai society were considered as a commodity to bring in those $$$$$$$$$$$, plus created employment for millions.

Over the last few years Thailand has tried to suppress it`s commercial sex industry, that has already happened in the northern regions and is now largely contained in certain areas of Bangkok and Pattaya.

The problem being that the sex industry in Thailand was a huge tourist attraction, even if no one wants to admit it or did not like the types of tourists it attracted. The availability of Thailand’s beautiful maidens was as famous and well known as gambling is to Las Vegas. For wine, women and song, Thailand was the country to visit.

If they decide to totally dismantle the commercial sex industry in Thailand, then that will result in the loss of billions each year in tourism revenue, including placing many people, probably in the millions out of work.

Like it or not, these are the facts.

[Mazungu]

According to this article the Thai tourist industry would lose 42% of its foreign tourists...or approximately 4.2 million visitors each year.

"Even though a majority of clients of prostitutes are Thai men, foreign tourists significantly add to the sex industry in Thailand. Each year, around 10 million tourists arrive in Thailand. It is estimated that approximately 60% of the tourists who visit Thailand are males, and of those, 70% come specifically for sex.

http://www.wouk.org/rahab_international/pdf_files/Prostitution%20in%20Thailand.pdf

[micmichd]

Same story everywhere. Boys look for girls to fit, girls look for someone that fits and takes care, and when both sides are compatible they stay together. Only in Thailand everybody's pointing their fingers on this. Maybe because the sex market is not so well hidden from the public like in Farang countries.

[fareastguy]

In-famous areas of Samui, Phuket,BKK, Pattaya & the rest are not what I would term discreet..

[cumgranosalum]

Without prostitution Thailand would easily lose 50% of Tourists.

People who deny this are just liars and/or ignorant.

But it's all about appearances and saving face.

Sorry, I thought you meant 50% of losers.

Are you one of the 99.99% of foreigners here that HASN'T been with a prostitute?

<sarcasm>

I've never been with a prostitute, I have never had to pay for sex because I'm handsome.

Yes...and 20,000 bar girls can't be wrong!

[cumgranosalum]

The Thai sex industry has always been a prevalent part of Thailand throughout the centuries, but back in the old days it was mostly kept within the local communities. It could be described as part of the Thai cultural way of life. Prostitution was not frowned upon or considered a taboo subject as in the western countries. As a matter of fact being a cleaner or a servant was considered a lower grade of work than prostitution.

Then when the Japanese troops arrived on mass during WW2, they created large brothels for the servicing of their armies, the prostitutes being known as comfort women These became widespread throughout the country and especially in Bangkok, in areas that later developed into the entertainment complex, PatPong.

During the Vietnam war, American and Australian troops came over on mass that revitalised the sex industry here, what could be described as the first commercialised adult entertainments venues.

Then after the Vietnam war these establishments began to cater for western tourists, many actually holidaying in Thailand because of the lure of it`s women, that in Thai society were considered as a commodity to bring in those $$$$$$$$$$$, plus created employment for millions.

Over the last few years Thailand has tried to suppress it`s commercial sex industry, that has already happened in the northern regions and is now largely contained in certain areas of Bangkok and Pattaya.

The problem being that the sex industry in Thailand was a huge tourist attraction, even if no one wants to admit it or did not like the types of tourists it attracted. The availability of Thailand’s beautiful maidens was as famous and well known as gambling is to Las Vegas. For wine, women and song, Thailand was the country to visit.

If they decide to totally dismantle the commercial sex industry in Thailand, then that will result in the loss of billions each year in tourism revenue, including placing many people, probably in the millions out of work.

Like it or not, these are the facts.

"Over the last few years Thailand has tried to suppress it`s commercial sex industry, that has already happened in the northern regions and is now largely contained in certain areas of Bangkok and Pattaya."

nonsense - I don't think you actually have read the OP and think that the Sex Industry in Thailand is what you personally see in Pattay and Bkk - that's the "tip of the iceberg"a

[cumgranosalum]

"Hi Joe"

"Hi"

"I how's that prostitute you married?"

"Oh no, how dare you, Lek was a cashier"

[cumgranosalum]

The Thai sex industry has always been a prevalent part of Thailand throughout the centuries, but back in the old days it was mostly kept within the local communities. It could be described as part of the Thai cultural way of life. Prostitution was not frowned upon or considered a taboo subject as in the western countries. As a matter of fact being a cleaner or a servant was considered a lower grade of work than prostitution.

Then when the Japanese troops arrived on mass during WW2, they created large brothels for the servicing of their armies, the prostitutes being known as comfort women These became widespread throughout the country and especially in Bangkok, in areas that later developed into the entertainment complex, PatPong.

During the Vietnam war, American and Australian troops came over on mass that revitalised the sex industry here, what could be described as the first commercialised adult entertainments venues.

Then after the Vietnam war these establishments began to cater for western tourists, many actually holidaying in Thailand because of the lure of it`s women, that in Thai society were considered as a commodity to bring in those $$$$$$$$$$$, plus created employment for millions.

Over the last few years Thailand has tried to suppress it`s commercial sex industry, that has already happened in the northern regions and is now largely contained in certain areas of Bangkok and Pattaya.

The problem being that the sex industry in Thailand was a huge tourist attraction, even if no one wants to admit it or did not like the types of tourists it attracted. The availability of Thailand’s beautiful maidens was as famous and well known as gambling is to Las Vegas. For wine, women and song, Thailand was the country to visit.

If they decide to totally dismantle the commercial sex industry in Thailand, then that will result in the loss of billions each year in tourism revenue, including placing many people, probably in the millions out of work.

Like it or not, these are the facts.

"Like it or not, these are the facts."

as you don't appear to know what a fact is, it is really hard to taklke your statement seriously.

it seems to me that your comments are derived from your own personal experience of the country and the consequent myopic view of what really happens with tourism in the Kingdom.

[brewsterbudgen]

The Thai sex industry has always been a prevalent part of Thailand throughout the centuries, but back in the old days it was mostly kept within the local communities. It could be described as part of the Thai cultural way of life. Prostitution was not frowned upon or considered a taboo subject as in the western countries. As a matter of fact being a cleaner or a servant was considered a lower grade of work than prostitution.

Then when the Japanese troops arrived on mass during WW2, they created large brothels for the servicing of their armies, the prostitutes being known as comfort women These became widespread throughout the country and especially in Bangkok, in areas that later developed into the entertainment complex, PatPong.

During the Vietnam war, American and Australian troops came over on mass that revitalised the sex industry here, what could be described as the first commercialised adult entertainments venues.

Then after the Vietnam war these establishments began to cater for western tourists, many actually holidaying in Thailand because of the lure of it`s women, that in Thai society were considered as a commodity to bring in those $$$$$$$$$$$, plus created employment for millions.

Over the last few years Thailand has tried to suppress it`s commercial sex industry, that has already happened in the northern regions and is now largely contained in certain areas of Bangkok and Pattaya.

The problem being that the sex industry in Thailand was a huge tourist attraction, even if no one wants to admit it or did not like the types of tourists it attracted. The availability of Thailand’s beautiful maidens was as famous and well known as gambling is to Las Vegas. For wine, women and song, Thailand was the country to visit.

If they decide to totally dismantle the commercial sex industry in Thailand, then that will result in the loss of billions each year in tourism revenue, including placing many people, probably in the millions out of work.

Like it or not, these are the facts.

"Over the last few years Thailand has tried to suppress it`s commercial sex industry, that has already happened in the northern regions and is now largely contained in certain areas of Bangkok and Pattaya."

nonsense - I don't think you actually have read the OP and think that the Sex Industry in Thailand is what you personally see in Pattay and Bkk - that's the "tip of the iceberg"a

I don't think he meant that, but he's right that The Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act 1996 and the previous Entertainment Places Act 1966 which I believe is till in force, apply countrywide and were designed to draw a veil over the activities while allowing them to continue unobtrusively, as well as criminalise the more unsavoury parts.

[willyumiii]

They're are no prostitutes in Thailand but lots of ladies looking for husbands and willing to spend short time or long time with men to see if they are sexually compatible.

Indeed, at least 99% of them are waitresses, or hotel receptionists or work in massage parlors ... and they are more than happy to spend time with anyone, of any age, for a small (in the beginning) financial consideration.

Can't remember where I read it, it was a while ago, but something like 90% of the prostitution here in Thailand is nothing at all to do with foreigners, it's Thai on Thai in those very discreet places that no one admits exist but everyone knows where they are and that has been the way of Thailand for centuries.

"places that no one admits exist but everyone knows where they are"

I do not know where they are!

Could you post a map please?

Can they be found on Google Earth "street view'?

I really feel left out now!

[cumgranosalum]

The Thai sex industry has always been a prevalent part of Thailand throughout the centuries, but back in the old days it was mostly kept within the local communities. It could be described as part of the Thai cultural way of life. Prostitution was not frowned upon or considered a taboo subject as in the western countries. As a matter of fact being a cleaner or a servant was considered a lower grade of work than prostitution.

Then when the Japanese troops arrived on mass during WW2, they created large brothels for the servicing of their armies, the prostitutes being known as comfort women These became widespread throughout the country and especially in Bangkok, in areas that later developed into the entertainment complex, PatPong.

During the Vietnam war, American and Australian troops came over on mass that revitalised the sex industry here, what could be described as the first commercialised adult entertainments venues.

Then after the Vietnam war these establishments began to cater for western tourists, many actually holidaying in Thailand because of the lure of it`s women, that in Thai society were considered as a commodity to bring in those $$$$$$$$$$$, plus created employment for millions.

Over the last few years Thailand has tried to suppress it`s commercial sex industry, that has already happened in the northern regions and is now largely contained in certain areas of Bangkok and Pattaya.

The problem being that the sex industry in Thailand was a huge tourist attraction, even if no one wants to admit it or did not like the types of tourists it attracted. The availability of Thailand’s beautiful maidens was as famous and well known as gambling is to Las Vegas. For wine, women and song, Thailand was the country to visit.

If they decide to totally dismantle the commercial sex industry in Thailand, then that will result in the loss of billions each year in tourism revenue, including placing many people, probably in the millions out of work.

Like it or not, these are the facts.

"Over the last few years Thailand has tried to suppress it`s commercial sex industry, that has already happened in the northern regions and is now largely contained in certain areas of Bangkok and Pattaya."

nonsense - I don't think you actually have read the OP and think that the Sex Industry in Thailand is what you personally see in Pattay and Bkk - that's the "tip of the iceberg"a

I don't think he meant that, but he's right that The Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act 1996 and the previous Entertainment Places Act 1966 which I believe is till in force, apply countrywide and were designed to draw a veil over the activities while allowing them to continue unobtrusively, as well as criminalise the more unsavoury parts.

Really - how do you come to that conclusion?

[drgoon]

"Its said that about US$16 million from Vietnam War foreign soldiers pockets went towards the Thai sex industry, the catalyst of what gave Thailand its seedy image. But the industry, apropos tourism, is hardly even the tip of the iceberg."

Thailand can thank the good old American GIs and vets for kick-starting its tourist industry. Thais were always busy copulating with "working" ladies long before the guys in khaki showed up.

What would Pattaya be without their help?

What would Thailand have had to attract tourists apart from a lot of sandy beaches, a few nice mountain areas in the north and a lot of crumbling ancient temples. Oh, and the elephants too.

That's actually quite a harsh comment to make. Quite disrespectful.

What a wonderful outlook on life you must have.

[drgoon]

Same story everywhere. Boys look for girls to fit, girls look for someone that fits and takes care, and when both sides are compatible they stay together. Only in Thailand everybody's pointing their fingers on this. Maybe because the sex market is not so well hidden from the public like in Farang countries.

It would be a pity if it was.

There should be similar areas in my country. Prostitution is legal but it's not really talked about. Hypocrisy. ..

[spidermike007]

Again another hypocrisy by the all great Thailand. This country is full of hypocrisy. Every Thai hates the truth. Furthermore, even if the truth is revealed in front of their eyes, they still will not submit to the truth.

Submitting to truth is an act of introspection which goes against the very nature of the fabric of Thai society.

[spidermike007]

Without prostitution Thailand would easily lose 50% of Tourists.

People who deny this are just liars and/or ignorant.

But it's all about appearances and saving face.

That used to be the case. The sex industry here is in decline. In Samui now it is mostly couples and families. The bars are dying. Many other places too.

[spidermike007]

It is what it is. Officially 20% of thai women who are in a position to sell sex do just that. Don't forget there'd also kept girlfriends and Mia nois. They are happy to have their room payed for and a bit of spending money to be on call for discreet sexual encounters. Not a secret that there is love for sale in South East Asia. If you come here alone everybody assumes that you are here for that, and if you have a thai lady friend she is quite likely to be a prostitute. Thailand has that reputation and deservedly so. You can write a big article on it but you aren't opening anyone's eyes to anything, and if you know this much to write an article you probably partake as well. You're probably a well known hand-sum man come pay day. I've been told I'm quite handsome myself.

Almost exactly the same in Los Angeles. Don't kid yourself.

[Toscano]

Even though many foreigners come to Thailand to hook up with pretty girls in Bangkok , Pattaya and all resorts around Thailand , they are I believe the tip of the iceberg .

Never mind prostitutes or bargirls , many women throughout Thailand are open to sex for a modest fee . Thai men are the principal users of prostitutes , far in excess of foreigners .

Sex for money , prostitution , is no secret at all in Thailand even if Thais don't talk about sex , there is no stigma about being paid for sex . There are married women in the countryside who have 3 or 4 foreign boyfriends each of whom send money every month and come for an annual holiday . Highschool girls will do it for as little as BT300 or to put money in their phone . Every village in my part of Isaan has 1 or 2 or more sexmotels , I'm told mostly used by young people and teeagers , but also marrieds who at home sleep with all their family on the floor , so no privacy .

About three generations ago Polygamy was the norm in Thailand . I know an old man who had 3 sons by at least two different women , before he married and had 8 further children .

[brewsterbudgen]

The Thai sex industry has always been a prevalent part of Thailand throughout the centuries, but back in the old days it was mostly kept within the local communities. It could be described as part of the Thai cultural way of life. Prostitution was not frowned upon or considered a taboo subject as in the western countries. As a matter of fact being a cleaner or a servant was considered a lower grade of work than prostitution.

Then when the Japanese troops arrived on mass during WW2, they created large brothels for the servicing of their armies, the prostitutes being known as comfort women These became widespread throughout the country and especially in Bangkok, in areas that later developed into the entertainment complex, PatPong.

During the Vietnam war, American and Australian troops came over on mass that revitalised the sex industry here, what could be described as the first commercialised adult entertainments venues.

Then after the Vietnam war these establishments began to cater for western tourists, many actually holidaying in Thailand because of the lure of it`s women, that in Thai society were considered as a commodity to bring in those $$$$$$$$$$$, plus created employment for millions.

Over the last few years Thailand has tried to suppress it`s commercial sex industry, that has already happened in the northern regions and is now largely contained in certain areas of Bangkok and Pattaya.

The problem being that the sex industry in Thailand was a huge tourist attraction, even if no one wants to admit it or did not like the types of tourists it attracted. The availability of Thailand’s beautiful maidens was as famous and well known as gambling is to Las Vegas. For wine, women and song, Thailand was the country to visit.

If they decide to totally dismantle the commercial sex industry in Thailand, then that will result in the loss of billions each year in tourism revenue, including placing many people, probably in the millions out of work.

Like it or not, these are the facts.

"Over the last few years Thailand has tried to suppress it`s commercial sex industry, that has already happened in the northern regions and is now largely contained in certain areas of Bangkok and Pattaya."

nonsense - I don't think you actually have read the OP and think that the Sex Industry in Thailand is what you personally see in Pattay and Bkk - that's the "tip of the iceberg"a

I don't think he meant that, but he's right that The Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act 1996 and the previous Entertainment Places Act 1966 which I believe is till in force, apply countrywide and were designed to draw a veil over the activities while allowing them to continue unobtrusively, as well as criminalise the more unsavoury parts.

Really - how do you come to that conclusion?

I assumed his reference to "suppression" was due to the Act I referred to. But he can speak for himself.

[spidermike007]

"It’s said that about US$16 million from Vietnam War foreign soldiers’ pockets went towards the Thai sex industry, the catalyst of what gave Thailand its seedy image. But the industry, apropos tourism, is hardly even the tip of the iceberg."

Thailand can thank the good old American GIs and vets for kick-starting its tourist industry. Thais were always busy copulating with "working" ladies long before the guys in khaki showed up.

What would Pattaya be without their help?

What would Thailand have had to attract tourists apart from a lot of sandy beaches, a few nice mountain areas in the north and a lot of crumbling ancient temples. Oh, and the elephants too.

Apparently a lot of people still believe in spending money at home.

I guess prostitution in farang land is one of the many facets of life many choose to ignore.

The Office for National Statistics [in Britain], which tracks changes in spending habits across the country, found miscreants spent an enormous £12.3 billion last year on illegal substances and sexual gratification. This was more than the amount spent on wine and beer in 2013, which was just under £11 billion, according to the ONS data.

How do you estimate the economic value of illegal activities? In the unexpectedly fascinating account of the new methodological parameters of GDP calculation,the ONS’s Joshua Abramsky and Steve Drew concede that “extensive data gaps have been filled with assumptions, recognising that this area of the economy [prostitution] is very difficult to measure”. But the survey data excludes male prostitutes, who amount to 42% of all UK sex workers.

"...excludes male prostitutes, who amount to 42% of all UK sex workers."

Probably excludes MPs expense account spending on dalliances too.

An estimated $40 Million a day is spent on prostitution in the United States.

365 days X $40 Million = $14.6 Billion a year in prostitution spending.

It is an enormous industry in the US. At least as large as here. A huge number of very attractive, younger women will give it up to a much older man, for huge sponsorship deals. Nobody could ever convince me that is not prostitution.

[ratcatcher]

"Its said that about US$16 million from Vietnam War foreign soldiers pockets went towards the Thai sex industry, the catalyst of what gave Thailand its seedy image. But the industry, apropos tourism, is hardly even the tip of the iceberg."

Thailand can thank the good old American GIs and vets for kick-starting its tourist industry. Thais were always busy copulating with "working" ladies long before the guys in khaki showed up.

What would Pattaya be without their help?

What would Thailand have had to attract tourists apart from a lot of sandy beaches, a few nice mountain areas in the north and a lot of crumbling ancient temples. Oh, and the elephants too.

That's actually quite a harsh comment to make. Quite disrespectful.

What a wonderful outlook on life you must have.

Thank you for your two comments. Appreciated. Facts can sometimes seem harsh when stated, but perhaps you might offer an alternative view.

Nothing disrespectful meant at all, I am a resident here and have a good outlook on life in LOS.

Residing in the mysterious orient always has had it's small differences from where farangs originate and the "Thai way" is sometimes hard for some to fathom.

However,as others before me have stated, a huge proportion of the Thai GDP is related to "prostitution in all its colorful forms and the many businesses dependent upon it.

As I clearly stated in my post, prostitution is nothing new to Thais or in fact mankind.

Simply put, if the government decided to close down Nana Plaza, Soi Cowboy, Soi 22 and all the beer and go-go bars in between, Sukumvit would be like a ghost town.

[tajtom]

Its simply a law set to protect there culture and the Majeste god bless him.

But the truth is far more harsh and the world knows its all a lie... The country is fed on sex tourists. Like from my own experience as long back. i met a nice girl out in disco. No mention of working selling or anything of such nature. We ended up at my condo she stayed and next morning woke up like she was just kidnapped. Dumb rag tried to extort money from me and threatened police, Well I gave her zero.. I do regret it now but she should have been honest

And many are same as her. I do not feel sorry for them sorry but if your working name the price or do not get in the car

[MaeJoMTB]

Same story everywhere. Boys look for girls to fit, girls look for someone that fits and takes care, and when both sides are compatible they stay together. Only in Thailand everybody's pointing their fingers on this. Maybe because the sex market is not so well hidden from the public like in Farang countries.

never used one in the UK, never met one as far as I know, was there 50+ years.

Used one my first night in CM, two or three times a week ever since, 6+ years.

So well hidden in the UK, I couldn't find them.

Right in yer face here, all the time.

I think that means there's more around in Thailand.

Edited July 3, 2015 by MaeJoMTB

[willyumiii]

Anyone who thinks prostitution has been reduced in Northern Thailand has either never been here or needs to get out from behind their computer and look around.

It is a prevalent as ever.

It is difficult not to notice it .

for example...unless you consider "soapy massage" just entertainment!