Prostitution in Thailand

Prostitution has existed in Thailand for a long time, and was not introduced by westerners despite popular myths. As early as the 16th and 17th centuries, prostitution was described in reports by sailors visiting Thailand (then called Siam). Thailand has gained notoriety in the west as a sex tourism destination since the Vietnam war, although most prostitutes in Thailand serve Thai males.

Related Topics:
Prostitution - Thailand - Sex tourism - Vietnam war - Prostitutes

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Officially, prostitution is illegal in Thailand, but this law is ignored and prostitution is widely tolerated. Estimates have been made that there are as many as 130,000 people (although this number is subjected to debate), both men and women, employed in the sex trade. Most male sex workers service gay or bisexual male clients, but there are at least some women who employ them as well.

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