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| Roxanne...you don't have to wear that dress tonight |
One feature that is usually and sadly related to Thailand
is an internationally known sexual tourism.
It has been calculated that around 2.8 million sex workers
(2 million women, 20,000 adult males and 800,000 minors under the age of 18)
cheer up the visit of millions of farang
- foreign -
but not only.
In fact, prostitution has been a part of the social fabric
throughout centuries
and it is socially (almost) accepted
as a prevention against raping,
as a tool to satisfy men's urge for sex,
perceived as much stronger than women's needs.
It is also thought by both Thai men and women that men need "an occasional variation in partners"
Another element that adds to this phenomenon
is a widespread tolerance embedded in the Thai culture
especially for those whom they perceive as downtrodden.
This acceptance has
allowed prostitution to flourish without much of the extreme social
stigma found in other countries.
Do you really see them in the streets?
Yes.
And not only in front of bars, spas, massage centers, pool bars
and ping pong clubs.
What surprised me most was the number of
"couples" I saw in restaurants and bars.
By "couple" I mean a man,
which I could stereotype as a german/british looking,
around 40 or more,
usually slightly drunk,
not necessarily ugly and fat
and a "thai lady",
usually very young-looking
(it is really hard to guess their real age, as they seem younger on average),
obedient and careful,
but with a deep and remote glance drawn
on their white masks.
