Thais feel annoyed at still boomimg sex tourism
By T. Sima Gunawan
BANGKOK (JP): The sex industry is one of Thailand's major tourist attractions, but for many local people, it is one of the most embarrassing topics of discussion.
I was recently in Chiang Mai, about an hours flight from Bangkok, to cover the third International Conference on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific. I met a new friend, a resident of Chiang Mai, who was kind enough to show me around. Well, he took me to Wat Phradhatu Doisuthep, a splendid temple located on a hill 1,053 meters above sea level. He was very proud of Chiang Mai, with its admirable temples, rich culture, and wonderful arts and crafts.
"What about the nightlife in Chiang Mai?" I asked him.
Suddenly, he changed. He looked uneasy and said shortly: "I don't know. I have never been to those places."
I did not mention the a-go-go bars, the bikini-clad girls who dance on tables, or the live shows. But the word "nightlife" was enough to embarrass him.
He was not the first Thai person who looked ill at ease when confronted with the topic of sex tourism in the country. From my hotel room in Chiang Mai, I called a friend who lives in Bangkok, telling her that I wanted to drop in before returning to Jakarta. She sounded exited and asked what place I would like to see the most. I said, carelessly, Patpong, and her excitement was over. I should have been careful because Patpong is the sex industry center of Bangkok.
"Why do you want to see Patpong?" she asked seriously.
I told her I might write about prostitution.
"Why prostitution? It is not a new issue," she said.
She sounded irritated. Of course, she did.
"Yes, but prostitution is an 'evergreen' issue," she said with a sigh.
Sex tourism is still booming in Thailand. More and more young men and women, mostly poor villagers, have plunged themselves into the sex industry. In 1991, there were more than 40,000 female sex workers, not including call-girls and freelance sex workers in 1,374 commercial sex establishments, eight freelance services and 72 call-girl services in Bangkok. Two years later, according to research conducted by the Program on AIDS of the Thai Red Cross Society, the number of commercial sex workers increased to over 42,560, who worked in 1,461 commercial sex establishments. The number of male sex workers was not reported.
The explosion of AIDS cases, which has hit the country dramatically in the past few years, has not discouraged sex workers. In fact, the sex business will continue to grow as long as the demand is there.
The government generates a lot of foreign exchanges and many people earn a lot of money from the business, but many others are apparently unhappy because the issue has tarnished the image of Thailand.
True, some tourists come to Thailand because of the sex industry, but many don't. An exotic country with natural beauty, Thailand has many tourist attractions. The Buddhist temples are fabulous, the classical dances are stunning, the food is great and the beaches are gorgeous.
Those who like shopping can find various good items, ranging from elegant Thai silk and jewelry, to leather ware and handicrafts. Thailand is famous for its fine silk, which comes in many colors and patterns. It is also a major source of quality rubies and sapphires. Claiming itself "a major international gem and jewelry center", Bangkok offers beautiful designs and high quality pieces at reasonable prices. There is a wide selection of attractive handicrafts, traditional umbrellas, hand-woven cloths, dolls, woodcarving, silverware and ceramics.
You can buy the goods in department stores and from sidewalk vendors. Some have fixed prices, but in many places you have to bargain for a good price. Most sidewalk vendors do not speak English, but don't let that worry you. Armed with calculators, they will press the buttons to show the price they ask. Just do the same thing if you want to bargain.
Thai people in general, not only those involved in the tourist industry, are friendly, especially if you pretend not to know anything about sex tourism. (sim)