Thailand: The paradox of illegal but world-famous sex tourism

Thailand is known worldwide for its sex tourism, even though prostitution has been banned in the kingdom since 1960.

See: Prostitution in Thailand, what you need to know

Tourists from around the world visit the kingdom with more than just temples and street food in mind, and Thailand's red-light districts continue to thrive in the shadows of legal gray areas.

How did it get to this point? Why does it persist? And what, if anything, is being done about it?

Economic impact of sex tourism in Thailand

Hostesses outside a go-go bar in Thailand. Photo: Crazy Asia – Flickr

Tourism has long been a mainstay of the Thai economy, accounting for around 20% of GDP in 2019 .

In the same year, Thailand welcomed nearly 40 million international visitors, generating approximately US$60.5 billion in revenue .

Officially, these revenues are linked to cultural, culinary and natural attractions.

Unofficially, Thai sex tourism plays a significant role.

Although illegal, it is estimated to generate around US$6.4 billion annually , or about 3% of the country's GDP .

Some studies even suggest that the combined domestic and international sex industry could represent as much as 14% of GDP , depending on how one calculates clandestine and indirect activities.

Whatever the numbers, the underground economy of sex work is significant.

Where does it happen? Thailand's red-light districts

Soi Cowboy Street in Bangkok. Photo: Expedia

In Bangkok, the infamous trio of Soi Cowboy, Nana Plaza, and Patpong dominates the Thai sex tourism landscape.

These neighborhoods are teeming with go-go bars and adult entertainment venues, operating under the thin veil of nightlife establishments.

The customers know why they are there, as do the staff, and so do the authorities, who often turn a blind eye.

In Pattaya, Walking Street is a neon-lit theater of desire, known worldwide for its go-go clubs, bars, and live shows.

Ping-pong shows have become infamous, attracting both curious tourists and regulars.

See: Things to do and avoid when traveling to Thailand

Patong Beach in Phuket and Hat Yai in Songkhla province also cater to this type of tourism, catering to a slightly different international clientele.

Sex work often takes place in karaoke bars, massage parlors, spas, and beer halls registered as regular entertainment establishments.

Off-menu services are organized between customers and workers, with plausible deniability on the part of the establishment owners.

A story rooted in war and poverty

Sailors arrive on a Thai beach: Photo: The Lift International

Thailand's reputation as a sex tourism destination dates back to the Vietnam War.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the kingdom served as a rest and recreation base for American soldiers, leading to an explosion in the number of brothels, bars and entertainment venues in cities like Bangkok and Pattaya.

After the war, economic hardship in rural areas, particularly in the northeast (Issan), pushed many women to seek income in the sex trade.

According to some studies, more than 70% of Thai sex workers are from rural areas and collectively send hundreds of millions of dollars home to their families each year.

While war may have lit the fuse, it was poverty and inequality that kept the fire burning.

Legal gray areas and corruption

Bar girls waiting for customers in Pattaya. Photo: Kay Chermush.

Prostitution is illegal under the Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act (1996) .

However, the law is clear: consensual sex for money is not directly criminalized, but soliciting in public, advertising these services and operating a place of prostitution are.

Penalties range from small fines to 10 years in prison.

Crimes involving minors carry much harsher penalties.

Despite this, enforcement of the law remains inconsistent.

In many cases, sex-related establishments pay monthly "protection fees" to local police.

Former massage parlor tycoon Chuwit Kamolvisit once admitted to paying more than 70 million baht in bribes over a decade.

As long as things remain discreet and do not trigger public scandal or reports of trafficking, the activities are often tolerated.

Cultural and social perception of sex work in Thailand

Photo: The Nation Thailand.

Attitudes towards sex work in Thailand are complex.

A survey found that 14% of Thai men admitted to having paid for sex at least once.

While prostitution is officially frowned upon, many consider it a necessary evil.

In rural areas, where poverty is more widespread, some families even accept and support their daughters who engage in sex work if it helps support the household.

This contradiction, between moral rejection and economic pragmatism, underpins the entire sector.

At the same time, the international image of Bangkok and Pattaya as "sin cities" has only grown stronger over the decades through films, media, and word of mouth.

Despite attempts by the Thai government to promote an alternative image focused on culture, nature and wellness tourism, this reputation persists.

What is the appeal for sex tourists?

Tourists on Pattaya's Walking Street. Photo: Toast to Thailand

Thailand offers services and entertainment that are often more accessible, affordable, and varied than many Western or East Asian countries.

From soapy massages to live performances, transgender performers, and niche preferences, the industry spans a wide range.

It is this diversity, combined with low prices and relative ease of access, that continues to attract foreign customers.

How many sex workers are there in Thailand?

Thai sex workers wait for clients at a bar on the Thai-Malaysian border. Photo: AFP

There is no definitive answer.

Given the illegality of sex work, figures vary depending on the source and definition:

• UNAIDS (2019): ~43,000 (probably underestimated)
• UNAIDS (2015): approximately 147,000
• Royal Thai Police (2014): approximately 76,000 in licensed establishments only
• Empower Foundation (NGO): 200,000 to 300,000
• WHO (2001): 150,000 to 200,000
• Chulalongkorn University (2004): 2.8 million (widely disputed figure)

Furthermore, more than 30% of sex workers are said to be HIV-positive and nearly half have experienced sexual violence at work, but rarely report it for fear of prosecution.

The ongoing legal debate to legalize prostitution

Illuminated sign indicating girly bars.

There have been regular calls to legalize or at least regulate prostitution in Thailand.

Supporters of the measure say the regulation would:

• To improve access to health care and safety
• To allow workers to pay taxes and receive social benefits
• To reduce child exploitation, trafficking and abuse

But also to fight corruption, because corrupt police officers and politicians take advantage of illegality and make a lot of money at the expense of business owners and prostitutes.

Therefore, there is strong opposition to legalization for financial reasons, but also for moral reasons.

Many Thais consider sex work incompatible with Buddhist values ​​and traditional norms.

Although some policymakers and academics advocate for regulation, successive governments have either shelved or avoided formal proposals.

For now, sex work continues to operate in a legal vacuum: illegal on paper, tolerated in practice, often with bribes paid to the authorities.

Sex tourism in Thailand isn't all about red-light districts and scandalous headlines.

It is rooted in history, economics, law, culture and international perception.

It thrives on a complex mix of poverty, demand, permissive law enforcement and global fascination.

And while the Thai government seeks to improve its image on the international stage, the reality on the ground is harder to change.

Until deep economic and social inequalities are addressed and clear legal reform is implemented, sex tourism in Thailand will remain one of the country's most paradoxical and persistent industries.

In Thailand, the debate over sex work illustrates the clash between law, morality and economics.

Source: The Thaiger