Why sex tourism is so popular in Thailand

Sex Tourism 1

Sex Tourism in Thailand

Sex Tourism 2

Abstract

The Southeast Asian region is one of the most dynamic tourist destinations in the world . Hordes of Western visitors visit the region for its scenic spots , warm climate , and unique culture . This influx of visitors creates employment opportunities for the locals and augments the income of the poor . More importantly , tourists bring with them currencies that are needed by countries to engage in international trade . In Thailand , tourism revenue amounts to six percent of the country 's gross

domestic product of US 196 .6 billion

While tourism is greatly encouraged for the benefits it brings to the countries of destination , it also has its dark side . Not all of the tourists who visit Asia are in the region to do what ordinary tourists do . Some of them are in Asia to seek a different kind of entertainment that traditional tours don 't provide . Men , being enterprising by nature have created another purpose for tourism by linking it with prostitution in what is commonly known as the sex tourism industry . As the term implies , it uses commercial sex as a come-on to visitors . Thus , tours are not solely organised to visit historical venues and picturesque spots , they 're also conducted to provide foreigners access to the red light districts

Sex tourism is loosely defined as engaging the services of prostitutes for carnal pleasures typically by tourists from affluent countries . The United Nations ' World Tourism Organization unit describes sex tourism as organised trips under the guise of common tours with the primary

purpose of providing tourists commercial sexual activities with residents in a particular

destination

Sex Tourism 3

To ask if sex tourism is illegal is almost irrelevant . Prostitution exists almost anywhere in the world . In Asia , prostitution is prevalent and open in many developing countries . Thailand is one of these countries where sex tourism is open and booming , gaining for itself the reputation of being the whorehouse capital of the world . In particular Thailand 's sex industry is largely concentrated in Bangkok and the Pattaya district where there are many expat residents . Hundreds of nightclubs , beer bars , and go-go bars can be found in these areas , which allegedly are venues for meeting commercial sex workers

The purpose of this study is not to delve on the moral issues surrounding the sex industry

in Thailand . Instead , this will

i ) trace the history of sex tourism in the country ii ) explore various factors that attract foreigners to the country 's red light districts

iii ) identify factors that lure or force sex workers to do what they do

iii ) list the different forms of prostitution in Thailand

iv ) discuss Thailand 's legal stand on prostitution

v ) probe the prevalence of child prostitution in the country and

vi ) consider the health issues plaguing the sex workers particularly that of HIV /AIDS

To this end , various published s and other resources will be studied to obtain a

better understanding of an industry that gained...