Sex workers in Thailand

[Old git]

' without any proof or way of really knowing the impression i get is that in Thailand there is no or very little forced prostitution '

In terms of girls or boys being kept under lock and key and then sexually used against their will, there is no evidence that I've ever seen.

However, I do know of bars that are police owned, and appear - although I've no absolute proof - to be staffed by girls who are working as an alternative to doing jail time. It's been noted that these girls do not have their ID cards but do have some papers issued by the police. As the papers are in Thai it's not clear what exactly they say, - it's speculated that they may be a licence to be out and about in certain areas only.

This is close to being a 'forced' situation. It is also noted that in establishments primarily catering for Thai customers, the proprietors order their staff around as though they own them - it's not clear why the girls put up with that - the impression is given that they have no choice..

I've never witnessed anything like that in the gay scene however..

[kittyboy]

I talked to a money boy who has a house and a car. His boyfriend of 4 years had send him every month 30.000 baht. 4 years in a row this happened. They are finished now. But he is owner of a nice house and a big car.

The question is, is the suicide rate higher compared to other professions? My impression is nearly all boys choose this and aren’t forced. And if they are forced then who isn’t forced? I am forced to work else I can’t earn a living. They earn a living with a few hours work a day. Compare that to the average guy in my country who is in his office from 9 till 18.00. These boys aren’t to be pitied. Unless you see sex work as somehow sinful. Why? It’s just a job. And an easy one for that. One of the better paid jobs you can possibly have. The hourly rate is huge.

Also I think Thais are in general doing good. I see many with smartphones. Many drive a car. Living standard isn’t that bad in my view. Real poverty is only in the country side?

OK so you know a boy who did well with a long term "BOYFRIEND" - I would argue that is rare.
In most societies over time being a prostitute has been looked down upon as a profession. Yes Yes..I am sure you can come up with 1 or 2 counter examples but IN GENERAL prostitution is not seen as an honorable profession.

If you look at studies on mental health and prostitution it can get a bit messy as there are different kinds of prostitution..ie a high end escort versus a street walker but in general there are negative mental health consequences from engaging in prostitution. Most of the studies have been done in the west so are they applicable to Thailand?
I don't know. I do know that many of the boys tell their families back in the home village that they are working in a factory or a hotel etc..Hmmm...I guess telling everyone in the village they are a prostitute must have a stigma attached to it...and hmmm..guess what that impacts mental health.

So why do they do it? Easy money? their friends are doing it? Better than working in the rice fields? better than working for next to nothing in the boring village?
I don;t know why they do it but my experience is that most last a short while and move on..being a male prostitute in Pattaya in not a long term career.

[scottish-guy]

Excellent post, Kittyboy

[goji]

I don;t know why they do it but my experience is that most last a short while and move on..being a male prostitute in Pattaya in not a long term career.

That's my experience as well. No compulsion or coercion. They mostly roll into town, try the easy money and move on. Freedom of choice, just the same as it is with the customers.

A minority hang around for years.

[Oliver2]

Don't underestimate the sheer "fun" of being in the Pattaya scene, particularly a few years ago when it was more lively. The guys had good friends-indeed, some travelled to Pattaya in friendship groups- they had Hollywood and so on to entertain them after hours, looked after each other by sharing food and accommodation when times were hard and, for some, there was the chance of the jackpot when a soppy falang turned-up and fell in love. Like me. And ten, fifteen years on, a number of these relationships have endured.

[latintopxxx]

In the last 5 years I've probably enjoyed not more than a dozen from actual gogo bars....vast majority have been off apps and street trade...some hold down regular jobs and moonlight as MBs during their free time...this would indicate that its really money driven...on the odd occasion Ive seen some socialising with girls in a manner that would indicate that they are more than friends...guess the fact that some need straight porn to get hard would indicate their preference...if I get a real masculine one I love getting them to cum while Im fucking them and more than once they've had to watch straight porn on their mobiles...so I have no idea why they go into the sex trade...its definitely not only 100% gay guys...the only time I felt uncomfortable was in a massage parlour...had hardly started fucking the masseur when he had a scat episode...obviously was expecting scotty boy...but he still wanted his full tip...I refused and bitched to the owner/manager who proceeded to berate the masseur very loudly and apologised to me..all the whilst the masseur threw dagger looks at me..

[scottish-guy]

Delusion certainly knows no bounds on this board. They could convince themselves black was white if it stroked their egos or salved their consciences

[James69]

Delusion certainly knows no bounds on this board. They could convince themselves black was white if it stroked their egos or salved their consciences

Hey how much is sex workers down in Phuket?

[scottish-guy]

No fucking idea - I’m in G-A-Y Late in London, where are u ?

Anybody wanna call me a liar?

[AsDaRa]

OK so you know a boy who did well with a long term "BOYFRIEND" - I would argue that is rare.
In most societies over time being a prostitute has been looked down upon as a profession. Yes Yes..I am sure you can come up with 1 or 2 counter examples but IN GENERAL prostitution is not seen as an honorable profession.

If you look at studies on mental health and prostitution it can get a bit messy as there are different kinds of prostitution..ie a high end escort versus a street walker but in general there are negative mental health consequences from engaging in prostitution. Most of the studies have been done in the west so are they applicable to Thailand?
I don't know. I do know that many of the boys tell their families back in the home village that they are working in a factory or a hotel etc..Hmmm...I guess telling everyone in the village they are a prostitute must have a stigma attached to it...and hmmm..guess what that impacts mental health.

So why do they do it? Easy money? their friends are doing it? Better than working in the rice fields? better than working for next to nothing in the boring village?
I don;t know why they do it but my experience is that most last a short while and move on..being a male prostitute in Pattaya in not a long term career.

I think the points I wanted to make were not communicated clearly enough. A second try:

1) Compare a moneyboy with any other boy with bad education in Thailand who is working for 12.000 baht a month in a 7-11 store for example. Then what I see is this: the moneyboy has more free time - much more - and most likely a higher income (certainly when he has a boyfriend who helps him). Who is then better off?

2) If you are smart and young and beautiful and you have a normal job and you are in evening a moneyboy and save that money then after your prime years you can buy yourself a house. You have then laid a solid foundation for your future life. No more worries about rent to pay, you only need income for food basically. I think such a boy is not to be pitied at all. He is in fact very smart being a moneyboy.

3) Most boys are not forced. Unless you stretch the meaning of 'forced'. When you stretch it that far I am also forced to work.