Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Sex Industry in Thailand
Prostitution has been widespread in Thailand since long before the country gained a
reputation among international sex tourists. Throughout Thai history the practice
was accepted and common, though it has not always been respected by society as a
whole. Today prostitution is technically illegal but anti-prostitution laws are ambigu-
ous and often unenforced.
PROS & CONS
Women's rights groups take oppositional approaches to the question of prostitution. Abolitionists see prostitution
as exploitation and an infraction of basic human rights. Meanwhile, mitigators recognise that there is demand and
supply and try to reduce the risks associated with the activity, through HIV/AIDS prevention and education pro-
grams (especially for economic migrants). Sex-worker organisations argue that prostitution is a legitimate job and
the best way to help women is to treat the issue from a workers' rights perspective, demanding fair pay and com-
pensation, legal redress and mandatory sick and vacation time. According to pro-sex worker unions, the country's
quasi-legal commercial sex establishments provide service industry jobs (dishwashers, cooks, cleaners) to non sex
workers, who would otherwise qualify for employment protection if the employer were a restaurant or hotel.
