DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - What are foreigners perceptions of Thailand?

**casinobonyanes** · 11-14-2005, 08:00 AM

I don't think this is due to my ignorance or my friends' ignorance. ok, reality is not nearly as bad as the country's perception, but it is perceived as it is for a reason. if Thai people are so unhappy about this perception of their country, they maybe they should force their government (ehm, their what?) to eradicate abuse, trafficking, trade and exploitation of people, including children.

sorry I am so harsh.

I agree. I don't mean this as an insult to the culture and people of Thailand which in general as we can all agree is amazing and filled with wonderful people, but the "night life" doesn't only exist in Bangkok and Pattaya. Throughout the country there are places where people can go for "entertainment." Yes the stereotype is of the foreigner who only seeks this "entertainment," but that is a small percentage of the total, and the painful truth is that it is very much a fabric of society. Obviously not everyone participates, but the very fact that such establishments exist in plain view when in fact they are supposedly illegal should tell you something. It's a multi billion dollar cash cow, enough to corrupt police and politicians alike. So your sentiments are correct Betti, if that perception is something that people truly find offensive, then they have to start within their own institutions.

Here's an older article:

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/...708065224.html

Thailand's freewheeling sex trade pervades the kingdom, from Bangkok's famed but graceless neon-lit alleyways of Patpong to exclusive hostess bars, a vast network of massage parlours and decrepit brothels in every town and village.

The origins of the thriving industry are hotly debated, but many believe it was born at the turn of the century with the influx of mainly single male Chinese immigrants.

It then mushroomed during the Vietnam War when US servicemen on R and R flocked to Patpong and other red-light districts in Thailand which now attract male tourists from all over the globe.

Academic studies have valued the trade as being worth more than 100 billion baht ($A3.56 billion) a year, one third the size of the construction or agricultural cropping industries.

The National Economic and Social Advisory Council said in a recent study that massage parlour owners in Thailand pay a staggering 3.2 billion baht ($A113.94 million) a year in police bribes.

The issue hit the headlines earlier this year when tycoon Chuwit Kamolvisit, who owns six luxurious massage parlours, caused a sensation by claiming he paid police $US288,000 ($A410,168) a month to keep them away from his businesses.

The last major piece of legislation governing the industry, the Protection and Suppression of Prostitution Bill, was passed in 1996. It substantially increased penalties for selling children into the trade while reducing punishment for sex workers.

But go-go bar managers say the business operates with impunity under a network of police, military and government overseers who rake in astronomical profits from well-entrenched systems of bribes and other payouts.

"Why would they want to change this system?" said the manager of a bar on Soi Cowboy, a notorious Bangkok nightstrip which employs about 1,000 dancers and bar girls.

11-14-2005, 08:00 AM	#6
casinobonyanes Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 472 Senior Member	I don't think this is due to my ignorance or my friends' ignorance. ok, reality is not nearly as bad as the country's perception, but it is perceived as it is for a reason. if Thai people are so unhappy about this perception of their country, they maybe they should force their government (ehm, their what?) to eradicate abuse, trafficking, trade and exploitation of people, including children. sorry I am so harsh. I agree. I don't mean this as an insult to the culture and people of Thailand which in general as we can all agree is amazing and filled with wonderful people, but the "night life" doesn't only exist in Bangkok and Pattaya. Throughout the country there are places where people can go for "entertainment." Yes the stereotype is of the foreigner who only seeks this "entertainment," but that is a small percentage of the total, and the painful truth is that it is very much a fabric of society. Obviously not everyone participates, but the very fact that such establishments exist in plain view when in fact they are supposedly illegal should tell you something. It's a multi billion dollar cash cow, enough to corrupt police and politicians alike. So your sentiments are correct Betti, if that perception is something that people truly find offensive, then they have to start within their own institutions. Here's an older article: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/...708065224.html Thailand's freewheeling sex trade pervades the kingdom, from Bangkok's famed but graceless neon-lit alleyways of Patpong to exclusive hostess bars, a vast network of massage parlours and decrepit brothels in every town and village. The origins of the thriving industry are hotly debated, but many believe it was born at the turn of the century with the influx of mainly single male Chinese immigrants. It then mushroomed during the Vietnam War when US servicemen on R and R flocked to Patpong and other red-light districts in Thailand which now attract male tourists from all over the globe. Academic studies have valued the trade as being worth more than 100 billion baht ($A3.56 billion) a year, one third the size of the construction or agricultural cropping industries. The National Economic and Social Advisory Council said in a recent study that massage parlour owners in Thailand pay a staggering 3.2 billion baht ($A113.94 million) a year in police bribes. The issue hit the headlines earlier this year when tycoon Chuwit Kamolvisit, who owns six luxurious massage parlours, caused a sensation by claiming he paid police $US288,000 ($A410,168) a month to keep them away from his businesses. The last major piece of legislation governing the industry, the Protection and Suppression of Prostitution Bill, was passed in 1996. It substantially increased penalties for selling children into the trade while reducing punishment for sex workers. But go-go bar managers say the business operates with impunity under a network of police, military and government overseers who rake in astronomical profits from well-entrenched systems of bribes and other payouts. "Why would they want to change this system?" said the manager of a bar on Soi Cowboy, a notorious Bangkok nightstrip which employs about 1,000 dancers and bar girls.
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