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Thailand set to eradicate sex industry, promote quality tourism
Thailand reportedly determined on eradicating it as a series of police raids were conducted on some of the largest establishments providing sex services in Bangkok.
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Prostitution has been illegal in Thailand for close to 70 years, but the industry employs over 123,530 sex workers, according to a 2014 UNAIDS report (Shutterstock.com/View Apart)
F
rom beautiful women to go-go shows and lady-boys, Thailand has long been infamous for its sex industry. But the country has reportedly determined to eradicate the trade in vice, with police raids conducted on some of the largest establishments providing sex services in Bangkok.
"Tourist don’t come to Thailand for such a thing. They come here for our beautiful culture," the country's first female tourism minister, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, told Reuters. "We want Thailand to be about quality tourism. We want the sex industry gone."
Prostitution is illegal in the Southeast Asian country for close to 70 years, but the industry employs over 123,530 sex workers according to a 2014 UNAIDS report, with authorities frequently accused of turning a blind eye; the military government itself has denied the contribution of prostitution to the country's economy and tourism.
(Read also: Thai authorities close popular tourist island to visitors)
However, those who work in the industry said curbs on commercial sex services would hurt the country’s economy, as the tourism sector accounts for about 10 percent of gross domestic product. "The police have already driven off a number of clients who come to relax or drink at bars," said Surang Janyam, director of Service Workers in Group (SWING), which provides sex workers with free medical care and vocational training.
Many sex workers see selling their bodies as a way out of poverty, with earnings in one night nearly 20 times the minimum wage of 300 baht (US$8.59) per day, as a former sex worker told Reuters. "If they want to close the sex industry, they must first have jobs ready to support sex workers," said Surang. (tif/kes)
