Re: Boy Prostitutes & Karma
Dodger, that is possibly the best post i have read in 2010.
:hello2:
Re: Boy Prostitutes & Karma
Dodger, a very well considered and thought through post. Your explanation is an excellent primer for sex oriented visitors to Thailand.
If I can add another point of view, in my opinion, what you say about the attitude to working boys and their profession is mostly correct. In much of Thailand, the negative connotations about the nature of this profession are either few or non-existent.
But long time visitors and expats in Thailand shouldn't be lulled into a delusion that prostitution is entirely accepted in Thai society with no taboo altogether.
There is some taboo and some negative connotations in prostitution. Less so in the poorer working class. More so in the wealthier middle and upper class society. But even where there are negative connotations existing, they aren't anywhere near as bad as they are in most Western societies.
The other dynamic to consider is that a boy is more likely to become a working boy if they come from a family, community or background, which is fairly accepting of this work than one, which isn't.
This isn't a criticism of who you choose to spend your time with. But if you spend most of your time around working boys and the poorer working class, you should keep yourself aware that not all Thais hold the same behaviours, habits, values and beliefs as the ones you are with. That would be like spending all your time around rednecks like Sarah Palin and George Bush and thinking all Americans are like them.
Re: Boy Prostitutes & Karma
Another great post Dodger.amazing that Thep was a working boi at only 15 years.I wonder if it affected his attitude towards you in any way.Meaning that if he was raised in the West he might have anger and mistrust issues with you.
But as you have described,him being from a poor family in a culture that is more accepting of prostitution,maybe he looks up to you as some sort of savior.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Beachlover
That would be like spending all your time around rednecks like Sarah Palin and George Bush and thinking all Americans are like them.
Very true,It's a shame that people will judge a country based on their leaders and the actions they impose.Bush lost the popular vote to Gore.I can't help but think how much better America would be now if the man the people voted for would have become the leader.
Re: Boy Prostitutes & Karma
Re: Boy Prostitutes & Karma
Quote:
Originally Posted by Curious
Quite a sweeping generalization/interpretation of a farang from Phoenix.
BG you old coot wherre have you BEEN?
This one even drew in the pretend asian from "Australia".
Nobody really cares.
Re: Boy Prostitutes & Karma
It's a well written post Dodger, but might I ask what you have based your opinions on. I have found that older, educated Thais views on prostitution are quite different, and much on a par with other cultures around the world. There is very much of the "up to you" attitude in Thailand, but that doesn't mean that certain 'ways' are more acceptable here than in any other parts of the world. It just isn't discussed openly as much. I would agree though that sex workers do in some cases bring some hope to themselves and poorer families who might not have any other way of breaking away from their poverty trap.
On a lighter note I do remember Chatchai, a former Prime Minister of Thailand on being asked by a foreign reporter what he thought about the reports being written about Thailand being a Sex Tourists Haven replied "Isn't it nice that everyone loves the Thais" By the way his nickname with the Thai's was 'Mr. No Problem!'
Re: Boy Prostitutes & Karma
Another possible reason for the Thais' slightly more relaxed attitude towards sex workers is that Thai males are quite possibly the world champions when it comes to employing their services.
Another reason is that up-country is now full of Thai women living in big houses with their farang husbands, having met them while working in a 'restaurant' in Bangkok. Hence many families are pragmatically less likely to be worried about their sons and daughters working in 'restaurants'.
Re: Boy Prostitutes & Karma
Quote:
Originally Posted by combat
On a lighter note I do remember Chatchai, a former Prime Minister of Thailand on being asked by a foreign reporter what he thought about the reports being written about Thailand being a Sex Tourists Haven replied "Isn't it nice that everyone loves the Thais" By the way his nickname with the Thai's was 'Mr. No Problem!'
I think that the Prime Minister in question was much earlier and was the erudite and gay Kukrit Pramoj, and his response to the question about sex tourists coming to Thailand was, with a wry smile, "I am glad that the rest of the world find us so attractive!"
Hard to think of Chatchai responding in this way.
Re: Boy Prostitutes & Karma
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hmmm
Another possible reason for the Thais' slightly more relaxed attitude towards sex workers is that Thai males are quite possibly the world champions when it comes to employing their services.
True... sex industry catering to locals is huge.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rocket
Very true,It's a shame that people will judge a country based on their leaders and the actions they impose.Bush lost the popular vote to Gore.I can't help but think how much better America would be now if the man the people voted for would have become the leader.
Exactly, not all Americans are like Bush and Palin... my point is not to judge all Thai people by characteristics and attitudes of the lower working class and "working boys" who they spend all their time with. Not all Thais have that attitude towards the sex industry. There is still some taboo about it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by combat
I have found that older, educated Thais views on prostitution are quite different, and much on a par with other cultures around the world. There is very much of the "up to you" attitude in Thailand, but that doesn't mean that certain 'ways' are more acceptable here than in any other parts of the world. It just isn't discussed openly as much.
Totally agree. Not just older and educated Thais, but more educated Thais in general.
Quote:
Originally Posted by combat
On a lighter note I do remember Chatchai, a former Prime Minister of Thailand on being asked by a foreign reporter what he thought about the reports being written about Thailand being a Sex Tourists Haven replied "Isn't it nice that everyone loves the Thais" By the way his nickname with the Thai's was 'Mr. No Problem!'
Heh... charming, that's such a Thai answer.