Things to See and Do in Thailand – Floating Markets, Reclining Buddhas and Sex for Sale

Sex tourism is sometimes viewed as a straightforward economic transaction that benefits both parties: the sex tourist and the prostitute. In fact, many people argue that those men who engage the services of a prostitute in places like Thailand and Cambodia are positively enhancing these women’s lives which are otherwise marked by poverty and lack of opportunity. Perhaps this is why the majority of visitors to Bangkok include Pat Pong (the red light district) on their must-see list of tourist attractions. What do you think?

Tania

6 thoughts on “Things to See and Do in Thailand – Floating Markets, Reclining Buddhas and Sex for Sale

  1. moonjoo 213

    Why not help those prostitutes overcome poverty and the lack of opportunity by supporting them to become independent and helping them to get out of prostitution and get jobs, rather than depriving them of the opportunity of a better life and making them stuck to prostitution?

  2. Yasmin - 213

    Yes it’s always interesting – hearing arguments for prostitution in cases such as the one above. Because the economic necessity of a woman’s situation somehow justifies it? Should we be giving the guys who feed this industry a pat on the back for paying? Afterall, some say, it was a choice for this woman to work in the industry, and the men she serves are simply providing her with wages so that she can survive. Come on…

    Maybe we should ask ourselves how ‘free’ the prostitute’s choice is… I think the whole idea of sex being some sort of tourist attraction is wrong – it demeans the act to something as simple as trying the cuisine of a new destination or purchasing something from a sounvenir store.

  3. Will - 213

    I agree with everything that’s been said above. It boggles my mind; how do people except such fallacious arguments for justifying prostitution and the existence of the sex-tourism industry?

    While in the rare instance that a woman isn’t being physically forced / trapped in these types of sex rings, it’s still not her choice to be engaged in this type of work. I can’t imagine that anyone grows up wanting to be a prostitute. The fact that they ‘choose’ the line of work isn’t the same concept of ‘choice’ as we understand it. These women are being coerced and forced into ‘choosing’ this line of work based on dire economic circumstances. It’s not a choice of what job should I do, it’s a choice, by and large, of choosing between life and death.

  4. Ira (213)

    Sounds to me a bit like saying, illegal drug smuggling and growing among poor in third world countries aids the fight against poverty!

    It also reminds me of the hypocrisy of the ‘Gangsta Rap’ industry, who glamorize ‘pimps’, ‘gang violence’ and ‘drugs’ then start new charities to help ‘at risk youth’!!

    So screwed up!

  5. Mel 213

    Having seen first hand sex tourism at work in Phnom Phen, the capital, and Sihanoukville, on the coast of Cambodia the prostitutes there are mostly children, young girls who get absolutely no choice in the matter. Often they are street children and unfortunately many are Vietnamese, sold into prostitution by their own families who are desperately poor. Lonely Planet actually ask all travellers to be on the lookout for ‘any suspicious behaviour on the part of foreigners’. They urge travellers not to ignore it but instead pass on any relevant info such as the name and nationality of the offending tourist to embassies. Lonely Planet provides both a ‘Cambodian Hotline’ number to report such instances and various NGO website addresses who are trying to combat child prostitution and trafficking.

    There is no ‘benefical’ economic transaction taking place in such an exchange because rarely would these children get to see any of the money they earn. They might be luckly enough to get a meal and somewhere to sleep but I am surmising that even such simple comforts wouldn’t always be forthcoming. Western tourists buying sex in developing countries seems so indicative of colonialism, extracting what they want but providing little in return (certainly the money never seems to reach those who are actually providing the labour) and perpetuating the oppression and poverty of its people.

  6. Hyejin

    When I went to Cambodia and Bangkok, ite beautiful scenery of ancient remains constrasted with the lives of people there It was also quite scary jobs were gendered; young poor girls as prostitutes, and boys as luguage porters and beggers.

    I think the buyers of sex service are making the situation there worse and worse, imparing prostitutes dignities and bodies.

    But still can not answer the question, “what is ‘essencially’ different being “sexually” exploited from being exploited in other labor places even though major victims are definitely women. Sometimes I feel like emphsizing the unique charateristics of prostitution contatins negative labelling of prostitutes in a way.

Leave a Reply