Hats off to you

[arsenal]

A brave man

http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/ ... aya-hotel/ (http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/79468/corrupt-police-extort-cash-japanese-tourist-north-pattaya-hotel/)

Please be aware that as a customer you are not breaking the law by using the services of a legally aged prostitute.

[cdnmatt]

Please be aware that as a customer you are not breaking the law by using the services of a legally aged prostitute.

So others aren't misinformed, please know, yes, you are technically breaking the law by using the services of a legally aged prostitute. Under the Thai criminal code, prostitution is illegal. So is pornography.

Neither are ever really enforced, but technically, they are illegal.

This mater of prostitution being legal or illegal has come up a number of times, with most people concluding it IS legal.

So far, no one has been able to provide the citation, in English, indicating that it is illegal.

[Dodger]

The "Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act of 1996" outlawed the hiring of prostitutes under the age of 18, as well as people associating in prostitution establishments for the purpose of prostitution; The latter provision is only enforced when the owner(s) of an establshment associating in prostitution attempt to avoid paying the local BIB their tea money. No money - no honey.

This is Thailand.

[cottmann]

This mater of prostitution being legal or illegal has come up a number of times, with most people concluding it IS legal.

So far, no one has been able to provide the citation, in English, indicating that it is illegal.

Here is one: http://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/WEBT ... 6THA01.htm (http://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/WEBTEXT/46403/65063/E96THA01.htm)

The link is to an English-language version of the PREVENTION AND SUPPRESSION OF PROSTITUTION ACT B.E. 2539 (1996), dated 14 October 1996.

The Act makes both heterosexual and homosexual prostitution illegal, and it spells out the penalties for selling sex, and those for buying underage sex.

PS Sorry, Dodger, your post came in while I was writing mine - didn't intend to steal your thunder!

[arsenal]

As a customer you are not prostituting. They are breaking the law but there is no law regarding the use of prostitutes.

And hereтАЩs another quote, just to muddy the waters a bit (as usual in LOS):

http://www.thailawforum.com/sex-crimes- ... part2.html (http://www.thailawforum.com/sex-crimes-in-thailand-part2.html)

Prostitution in Thailand is clearly illegal. However, there may be some sections of Thai law that are ambiguous, making it difficult to prosecute those charged under these laws. The Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act, B.E. 2539 (1996) (the тАЬProstitution LawтАЭ), is the central legal framework prohibiting prostitution. The law defines prostitution as any act done to gratify the sexual desire of another in exchange for money or any other benefit, but only if it is done тАЬin a promiscuous mannerтАЭ. The Prostitution Law does not define what exactly a тАЬpromiscuous mannerтАЭ constitutes. The crime of solicitation is equally ill defined. A тАЬJonтАЭ soliciting the services of a prostitute is liable under the Prostitution Law only if the solicitation is done тАЬopenly and shamelessly or causes a nuisance to the publicтАЭ, the penalty being a fine of up to 1,000 baht.

[Dodger]

There are also laws regarding "extorsion" which the 3 police officers in the OP's story were clearly guilty of commiting.

If Thailand was really serious about getting rid of corruption these 3 officers would be sentenced and forced to serve jail time for their offenses like anyone else. My guess is that they will simply be asked not to return to Pattaya and sent on their way. The victum in this story is already out 10,000 baht and would have to shell out more money to have his case heard and the officers would still not be prosecuted.

Again...This is Thailand.