If the Thai sex industry was shut down...

[elgordo38]

What does "unpleasant individuals" mean? Las Vegas probably attracts some unpleasant individuals as well, as does the porno industry worldwide.

Let's not beat about the bush; the scum that that industry can attract, Thai and farang, to THAILAND -- we're still on TV, no? Most are harmless and come here for a bit of fun, but you have to admit that there are certain jaded mongerers that this country could do without.

Anyway, I don't think it's realistic. The sex industry has ongoing here for generations (way before Vietnam War) and it'd just make the people resentful and drive it underground. They might make it less visible, but a complete cessation would see a massive drop in the tourist dollar. It wouldn't really bother me either way, then I guess it's one of Thailand's unique selling points and having a choice is always a plus.

Would it make that much of a dent, though? Tourism is only a small part of Thailand's economy, and sex tourism only a small part of that. Plus perhaps a cleaning up of some resorts might attract other tourists.

Don't let the TAT lady hear you say that tourism is only a small part of Thailand's economy. If 30 gazillion tourists were taken out of the equation what would Thailand's economy be based on? Just curious.

[SoiBiker]

The same things it's based on now, mostly - tourism only accounts for 6% of the country's economy, at least according to Wikipedia.

Edited July 16, 2016 by SoiBiker

[starky]

The same things it's based on now, mostly - tourism only accounts for 6% of the country's economy, at least according to Wikipedia.

Yep spot on. On top of that those sexpats who continually bicker over the price of a beer and a barfine actually believe they are making a noticeable contribution to the economy. As to your question wouldn't affect me at all. However the visible side of the industry isn't where the problem lies methinks nor are the majority of falang doing very much damage IMO. I think the majority of trafficking and abuse to the girls goes on in the Thai catered side of things the stuff we as foreigners aren't party to and unfortunately that's never going to stop, for the people that run that side of the game are for the most part untouchable it appears to me. To digress for a second these topics come up a lot on here and quite a few seem to think all the men who partake are perverted, deranged half pie paedo fyckwits and the girls are all forced into it and damaged. Unfortunately right or wrong there are millions of college age girls worldwide connected to the sex industry some briefly, some longer, some virtually as a business and a lot aren't damaged. I find it ridiculous to state that all girls/ women who have worked as prostitutes , strippers, on webcams, at massage parlours, in porn, as escorts and all the multitudes of ways that can be offered or construed as in the sex industry all got forced into it, all have no other choice and all are damaged.

Edited July 16, 2016 by starky

[manarak]

What does "unpleasant individuals" mean? Las Vegas probably attracts some unpleasant individuals as well, as does the porno industry worldwide.

Probably. But we're not talking about them, are we?

My opinion is that as long as nobody is coerced to be a prostitute, selling one's body should not only be legal, but is also a human right.

As a consequence, I think governments have no business in telling people what to do, as long as everyone's rights are guaranteed.

[BaldPlumber]

I think it's very telling that some of those most vehemently anti prostitution are also those that refer to the girls in the least respectful manner. I've never heard anyone else here refer to then as brasses or trollops. It's not for me to suggest that they might have some unresolved issues with women, but I certainly might think so.

As someone else said earlier, if it wasn't for bar girls it would be very unlikely that many foreigners would have met their future wives in the first place. Obviously this doesn't apply to TV posters, many of whom have been lucky enough to snare the elusive Chinese hiso Thai.

It's a funny old world where a man is castigated for having an honest and respectful business relationship with a female to their mutual satisfaction, whereas one who lies and cheats his way into a naive girls knickers is regarded as a bit of a lad. I believe this is known as going on the pull.

Anyway, I do appreciate that this is yet another thinly veiled attempt by the OP to convince people that he is a considerably better person than practically everyone else.

Wouldn't it be nice if people were satisfied with their own lives without having to poke their noses into other peoples.

Edited July 16, 2016 by BaldPlumber

[lovelomsak]

I totally agree with baldplumber on this statement

It's a funny old world where a man is castigated for having an honest and respectful business relationship with a female to their mutual satisfaction, whereas one who lies and cheats his way into a naive girls knickers is regarded as a bit of a lad. I believe this is known as going on the pull.

When I was single,at one point in life I decided to stop having meaningless sex with the average woman. I felt I was abusing them,using their bodies for my pleasure with no feelings involved. So I turned to prostitutes.I then felt all none pro,s were safe from me. I would not lie or cheat to get into women,s pants.Men and families could trust me to not abuse their daughters,sister,s,mother,s or any one else. I would not take advantage of any woman. Now I am married and have a step daughter I really wish young men would do the same as me.

Consenting couples are consenting couples be it a business transaction or not.

[SoiBiker]

I think it's a bit odd to make out that the only alternatives are either to pay for sex or 'cheat your way into a naive girl's knickers'. Not all women are such naive creatures, and many are just as capable of desiring casual sex as men are. It's a pretty old-fashioned, patronising idea to view them all as innocent creatures trying to save themselves for their husband, tricked into sex by such irresistible studs as you.

[giddyup]

I think it's a bit odd to make out that the only alternatives are either to pay for sex or 'cheat your way into a naive girl's knickers'. Not all women are such naive creatures, and many are just as capable of desiring casual sex as men are. It's a pretty old-fashioned, patronising idea to view them all as innocent creatures trying to save themselves for their husband, tricked into sex by such irresistible studs as you.

That might work for the average to better looking males, but for some of the less appealing specimens that come to Thailand, paying for their carnal pleasures is the only choice they have.

[eldragon]

I imagine the freelance industry would take off. Bars like Insanity, Climax, etc. would become a lot more popular.

[lovelomsak]

The sex industry is here to stay for sure.

What is happening is a cleansing of a form. Powers that be are removing those whose affiliation or association is not with those they like. The business goes on just fewer player,s.

Up where I am when the purge started,the first one to go where the 2 intown local hilltribe and Laos slave brothels,plus the delivery service of slave women to curtained hotels..

The local night time strip though started to flourish with new massage parlours and karaoke bars. The street became full of young women at night in that area. Perhaps same women new window dressing.

[lovelomsak]

I think it's a bit odd to make out that the only alternatives are either to pay for sex or 'cheat your way into a naive girl's knickers'. Not all women are such naive creatures, and many are just as capable of desiring casual sex as men are. It's a pretty old-fashioned, patronising idea to view them all as innocent creatures trying to save themselves for their husband, tricked into sex by such irresistible studs as you.

In my case it was neither naive or patronizing. It was more a statement. A woman does not have to save herself for marriage but she can also know I can be trusted to not take advantage of her. People can do as they please with their bodies. I was quite content to be friends with women but for sex preferred pro,s.I simply took the sex game out of play.Which I also feel gave me more freedom,s and control of my life.Women could not use sex to manipulate me.

[sean in udon]

The same things it's based on now, mostly - tourism only accounts for 6% of the country's economy, at least according to Wikipedia.

Would be interested in a link to qualify the claim of 6%

My quick bit of Google research found the following:

Tourism is a major economic factor in the Kingdom of Thailand. Estimates of tourism receipts directly contributing to the Thai GDP of 12 trillion baht range from 9 percent (1 trillion baht) (2013) to 16 percent.[1] When including the indirect effects of tourism, it is said to account for 20.2 percent (2.4 trillion baht) of Thailand's GDP.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Thailand

And this is specifically about prostitution in Thailand:

In 2015 Havocscope said that about $6.4 billion dollars in annual revenue was being generated by the trade.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostitution_in_Thailand

Even at 6%, if Thailand lost its tourist industry, that's a 23 billion loss per annum. You seriously think Thailand can loss that kind of money and not notice? Especially with the current poor economic performance and outlook.

http://www.tradingeconomics.com/thailand/gdp

[Razzler1973]

I think it's a bit odd to make out that the only alternatives are either to pay for sex or 'cheat your way into a naive girl's knickers'. Not all women are such naive creatures, and many are just as capable of desiring casual sex as men are. It's a pretty old-fashioned, patronising idea to view them all as innocent creatures trying to save themselves for their husband, tricked into sex by such irresistible studs as you.

I find the 'cheat a naive girl' guys are generally people comfortable in the P4P business that convince themselves they can still get women the old fashioned way but if they have no intention to marry the girl it's not fair to try to have sex with her, you see. They'll carry on paying for it cause 'it's easier' ...

Easier for you, perhaps

It's truly bizaare

You can tell these people have zero idea about how meeting women works. As you indicate, it's like 'well, I could if I wanted ... but I don't want to, too much hassle, I'll just rent them' but it's no hassle at all, it's actually how the world works.

I mean, it's how you meet women from the beginning of time. You meet, talk, go out, try to be nice, charming, find common ground. Guys want to have sex with Girls and Girls decide if they want to have sex with you and/or like you or have sex with you after they know you better even. Being nice, charming or getting on with someone is not 'trickery', <deleted>!!

[Razzler1973]

As for 'shut down' I think it's highly unlikely cause, what does that even mean?

The farang orientated industry is relatively small although perhaps higher profile. If it meant shutting down the likes of Nana, Soi Cowboy, Pattaya, it wouldn't bother me in the slightest, I would be ok with that although I doubt that would shut down the actual 'business' - it would still obviously continue. It's probably not practical to completely stop Pattaya but a gradual change over a number of years, perhaps

They could shut 70% of the bars there and they'd still be too much, <deleted>

if it removed even a decent percentage of guys coming here, cab from airport to Pattaya, 2, 3, 4 weeks of whoring in Pattaya then I'd not miss that for one second. That would make a bit of a dent in it even in public perception

I'd still just go about my time in Thailand as I always have, enjoying the shit out of it!

Edited July 17, 2016 by Razzler1973

[NoshowJones]

Although I have never participated in it, I think it should be left alone as long as there are no underage

girls, anyone getting hurt, or anyone being forced to do anything against their will. I see so many unattractive

Westerners over here and feel a bit sorry for them.

I sympathise with them not being able to get laid with some of these beautiful ladies, unless they are rich.

That does not apply to any on the fat, tattooed, facial haired brigade, as their condition is self inflicted.

[manarak]

I would be really interested in knowing the reasons why some posters want prostitution to be completey stamped out ? what are the benefits of that ?

[metisdead]

Since there is now a topic in the Thai news: Thai sex industry under fire from tourism minister, police, please continue the discussion there.

Closed.