Thai sex industry under fire from tourism minister, police

[SoiBiker]

As ever, many people vastly overestimate the impact of sex tourism on the Thai economy.

Yes, because we all know that the only reason why people go to Pattaya is for the beautiful beaches, jet ski scams and ladyboy robberies.

And the only reason why people flock to Nana or Soi Cowboy is to smell the wonderful stench of BKK in all its glory, and look at the beautiful skyscrapers.

If you think Pattaya and the arse end of Sukhumvit is all Thai tourism has to offer, you need to get out more.

[Jip99]

I take some satisfaction in knowing that I have helped a number of girls stay out of their Isaan rubber plantations - and also helped to put food in the mouths of their bastard offspring that are being raised by Mama

Spot on comment. My caddy yesterday at a well known members only golf club yesterday was a sweet young thing of 22 years old. She has a 2 year old daughter that she is trying to raise by herself (being taken care of by mama when she's caddying). She earns about 7-8,000 baht a month. Father is dead, boyfriend / husband has buggered off.

A poor girl like this has literally zero chance of finding a good Thai husband as she already comes with baggage. In another year or so, her expenses would also start to increase as her child starts going to school. It's almost impossible to see how she can make ends meet, going the way that she's going. Also, the price of milk in the supermarkets would knock you off your chair.

I would happily take her in and provide for her and her daughter. Not sure how well my current gik would accept that arrangement though. Will have to wait and see.

At the end of the round, being an old fat man with a relatively fat bank account, I gave her a 1,000 baht tip instead of the normal 300-400 tip with the clear instruction that it is to buy milk and presents for her 2 year old.

This is of course not related to the topic here but just an extension of how as foreigners, we do sometimes contribute directly to the society.

In fairness, I think it is related to the topic here.

Your comments help to provide an understanding of what drives the girls to do what they do. Before we get the 'holier-than-thou' brigade saying that everyone has choices, many of these girls don't. In any event the choice of working bar, caddy, karaoke is often more attractive to sitting around in a rice field going ga-ga or having to work in a factory in Bangkok.

As Just1Voice said, many university students use their body to pay their way. I wouldn't class them as part of the sex industry. I think the Thais are quite unique in divorcing the act of sex from any other activity.

I have also regularly given my regular massage lady an extra 100 Baht for her daughter, I have given her a 500 Baht tip for the bus fare to go home at Songkran and 500 Baht on her daughter's birthday.

[gemguy]

They know what is going on but everyone has to realize the people in positions of public authority really have no choice but to say what we hear and witness them say.

These announcements occur every so often and then their enthusiasm to actually crack down on the sex industry and keep it down fades away and life goes on.

In the end they can say they did their part to try to do the right thing.

Going on 40 years now they have been trying and it will not go away and can not be forced to go away short of a totalitarian super authoritarian Government administration brow beating and or physically beating the public into submission.

Cheers

[mesterm]

Shut down Nana if you can, Minister. I'll honestly be very impressed.

[Deli]

Her statement shows her qualification for this job.

[brewsterbudgen]

What has the minister of tourism to do with the Thai sex industry.

Isn't the sex industry mainly for the Thai men?

Weren't all the places in BK they shut, Thai only?

Sure, shut down Patpong, Nana and Cowboy along with all the foreigner beer bars, that's just for tourists.

But it's a small fraction of the Thai sex industry.

As she's the Minister for Tourism, presumably she's just talking about sex tourism and not the sex industry for locals.

[Winniedapu]

They know what is going on but everyone has to realize the people in positions of public authority really have no choice but to say what we hear and witness them say.

These announcements occur every so often and then their enthusiasm to actually crack down on the sex industry and keep it down fades away and life goes on.

In the end they can say they did their part to try to do the right thing.

Going on 40 years now they have been trying and it will not go away and can not be forced to go away short of a totalitarian super authoritarian Government administration brow beating and or physically beating the public into submission.

Cheers

Perhaps you're right.

I think that getting rid of the prostitute industry would not arrest the decline of Thailand.

But I also think that not getting rid of the prostitute industry will pretty much ensure an accelerating decline.

I share your view that any government in Thailand does not have the wherewithal in fortitude or determination to get rid of the prostitution industry. And I for one believe that the decline in Thailand will continue, and what's more, I welcome it as being well overdue.

Winnie

[thai3]

Shut down Nana if you can, Minister. I'll honestly be very impressed.

The mayor of Manila closed down the Roxa's blvd sex business in the early 90's. If you can take over a country with tanks what are a few tattly a go go bars? it can be done.

[Felt 35]

If tourists from Western countries stopped coming to Thailand entirely, there would be a slight, but noticeable decrease in tourism numbers and revenue. However, the idea that the country would be abandoned entirely is obviously false.

Could it have anything to do with the quality destinations Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin and Phuket once was and not are for this Western countries anymore. I bet the numbers looked a bit different in 1995 and 2005 than what they do in 2015

[brewsterbudgen]

agreed I hardly ever frequent go-gos and never soapies but, as you say, leave my dek sideliners (freelancers) alone!!! and, as you do, I get them everywhere and happy to pay 'gas' for their car or bike

salad bar? you might get in a pickle with that

really, Thai girls are totally flexible and I luv em for it!

So you admit to being a user of prostitutes, no wonder you support the industry then.

You mean that some people posting knowledgeably about this topic don't have any actual experience of it?

[bentarm44]

This will never happen. Take away the sex industry and the girls will then turn to the government for welfare to make ends meet.

At the moment it's the tourists who make up the Thai welfare system.

...........and a lot of expats contributing dis-proportionately to improving Thailands' housing stock, living standards of elderly Thais, education levels offered to Thai children; and massive, previously unimaginable, quality of life for a Thai lady.

Not sure who's saving who here, but most of us are pretty happy with it; most of the time.

[Jip99]

Shut down Nana if you can, Minister. I'll honestly be very impressed.

The mayor of Manila closed down the Roxa's blvd sex business in the early 90's. If you can take over a country with tanks what are a few tattly a go go bars? it can be done.

So no sex business in the Philippines then?

That was obviously a successful move................

[sandrew33]

This man clearly, doesn't know his job or doesn't read the incoming tourists statistics, majority of male

tourist to the kingdom has to do wit a quest for some kind of sexual gratification of some sort,

if he ever bothered to leave his ivory tower and go down and mingle with the masses, he'd soon learn

that sex tourism is a major revenues earner, and by eliminating it, he'd be putting out as many as a million

hospitality workers that otherwise will go underground and still will ply their trade,

Not the minster, nor the PM and all their army and police men can stop the sex industry from being,

legalize and control it, will be the better way to go about it.....

They already control it...

[sandrew33]

Shut down Nana if you can, Minister. I'll honestly be very impressed.

The mayor of Manila closed down the Roxa's blvd sex business in the early 90's. If you can take over a country with tanks what are a few tattly a go go bars? it can be done.

Yes, but shooting ones own interests with tanks seems counter productive

[Gweiloman]

Good for the Minister. Control the trash, porn and

Whores; make Thailand more Family oriented, you

Will see the Quality of the Tourists increase along

With the spending on nicer restaurants, and more

Sightseeing. Rid this place of so much sleeze and

Low class drunks on small pensions and in five years,

Thailand could,be a World Class destination with people

Spending lots of money.

Oh, the naivete of some.

Are you saying that quality tourists are not coming to Thailand because of the existing sex industry?

Or do you mean that the percentage of quality tourists will increase? Simple maths really.

[Whyamiandwhatamidoinghere]

My oh My...Economy collapse...

[sanukjim]

OK There goes 90 % of the western tourist, flying elsewhere..We will have mostly, the broke over stayers,retirees,Khao San road back packers,phony teachers,and Chinese tourist left.

[sabaii69]

Probably only those not affiliated with the "right" people will need to be concerned with the crackdown (no pun intended), otherwise the crack down will be a cock up.

A lot of business are going to get screwed and go into the hole.

[givenall]

I wanted to go back home in 5 to 8 years. May be I will go earlier

[Netzero]

As the writer notes correctly the 'sex industry' is primarily for and created by THAI men. It's is much deeper, broader and a lot older than Pat Pong or Soi Cowboy. Virtually every city and town in the country of any note has massage parlors, university students selling themselves and other venues catering to Thai men.

Anything this minister does will be purely for show and directed to the sex industry for tourists. It won't put a dent in the real sex industry of Thailand -

[SoiBiker]

OK There goes 90 % of the western tourist, flying elsewhere..We will have mostly, the broke over stayers,retirees,Khao San road back packers,phony teachers,and Chinese tourist left.

90%

Don't be daft. Have you ever set foot outside of the bar areas? The legit tourist industry is huge compared to the sex tourist trade.

[SymS]

kobkarn.jpg

This the Minister of Sports and tourism, Kobkarn Wattanavrankul. I believe she is correctly referred to as a woman.

This is 2016. I've given up on the gender thing, as it has become way too complicated...

[mcfish]

I wanted to go back home in 5 to 8 years. May be I will go earlier

To $50 no touching allowed lap dances and $ 10 beers ? Even if they started the clean up today it will still take 10-20 years to partially remove it.

I think your pretty safe.

[SoiBiker]

As the writer notes correctly the 'sex industry' is primarily for and created by THAI men. It's is much deeper, broader and a lot older than Pat Pong or Soi Cowboy. Virtually every city and town in the country of any note has massage parlors, university students selling themselves and other venues catering to Thai men.

Anything this minister does will be purely for show and directed to the sex industry for tourists. It won't put a dent in the real sex industry of Thailand -

Presumably they're talking about the sex tourism industry, as would be in line with their ministerial remit.

[SoiBiker]

kobkarn.jpg

This the Minister of Sports and tourism, Kobkarn Wattanavrankul. I believe she is correctly referred to as a woman.

This is 2016. I've given up on the gender thing, as it has become way too complicated...

The fact that they let women be politicians now is too much for you?

[thai3]

An amusing series of stories about the Thai sex industry and dumb falang customers

[fullcave]

Oh boy. Thailand minus girls and nightlife...

[micmichd]

The minister has no idea. Get rid of the seedy side of Thailand and people will go elsewhere. People on holiday are looking for a contrast from the daily normality of life.

And there is nothing normal about Thailand!

I can't speak of South America but in Asia there is no bigger brothel as Thailand.

So where would those sextourists go then? Probably the Thai hookers will also go there.

How would you determine whether a brothel is big or small? Guess you'd take the per capita number of sex workers in a country.

Here are stats:

http://www.eupedia.com/forum/threads/29130-The-Countries-With-The-Most-Prostitutes

Where countries like Germany rank far above Thailand.

[pumpuy]

Just a Joke ...

Impossible to get rid of this , it's a part of thai culture , just as corruption .

Or : You can get the bargirl out of the bar by just closing it , but she will still do her job somewhere else ...

[animatic]

Catering for dirty old men isn't really applicable in the 21st century. I must admit picturing a young pretty Thai lady barely 20 years old, with a drooling fart, old enough to be her grandfather is quite repulsive. In EU this would be considered unacceptable. Regretfully, Thailand does seemingly attract the dregs of society .. the sex tourists, perverts, and criminals. Most come after failing to attract a woman in their home country, (which is not surprising). So they come to LOS, as looks/age don't matter, so long as you have a fat bank account. I have witnessed 60 year-old men acting like a 21 year-old, which just looks ridiculous. Would be nice if Thailand cleaned-up it's act. The bars, and whore-houses were catering for the US service men at the time of the Vietnam war, well those days are gone. Time to clean-up the image of the country that is for sure.

Apart from Peter Stringfellow and Paul McCartney, I can't see many 60 year old men in England being able to attract 20 year old girls. Does that make them all losers? Or does it make your statement bogus?

Not that I agree with it.

By the way, have you been to Spain or Italy recently? I'm fairly sure I saw a lot of young prostitutes with old men while I was there last year.

What was unacceptable when their economy was doing OK, seems to have become acceptable now youth unemployment is over 25%.

And add to that the chronic visual MIS-CONCEPTION of who is with whom and why.

I have been walking to TESCO with my daughter, and both have gotten lears or looks of jealousy,

or of disapproval from Thais and farangs alike, in most all age groups, making invalid assumptions which we both find disgusting.

Assumptions are made and they are wrong, but stereotypes persist.

And then to see this line in the Reuters rerport

" ...There are about 123,530 sex workers in Thailand, according to a 2014 UNAIDS report..."

Clearly written by someone with little experience driving about Thailand,

that 123k might not even be close to 1/2 the Bangkok numbers.

Madam Tourism Minister is not even going to scratch the surface,

but she will disrupt for a time, add some discretion which will not lower the numbers,

and raise the Tea Money Fees to turn the blind eye ongoing. The BIB being happy to oblige.