Prostitution in Thailand: Encyclopedia II - Prostitution in Thailand - Forms of prostitution

Prostitution in Thailand - Forms of prostitution

Prostitution in Thailand comes in a number of forms, mainly brothels, "body massage" parlors, hostess bars and karaoke places, all of which cater primarily to local customers and Asians. There are also various go-go bars and "beer bars" that often cater to Western expatriates or tourists. Finally, there are large numbers of "free-lancers" who can be found in hotel lobbies, discos, bars, and even in Thai universities. These women may ask for financial support from the men they sleep with, but this is not to suggest that a certain emotional of physical attraction might not also exist.

It should also be noted that Thailand is known for a traditional style of massage, unrelated to the "body massage" that is largely a cover for sexual services. Traditional Thai massage is very relaxing and the masseuse is well trained.

Prostitution in Thailand comes specialised for many ethnic backgrounds. Many places catering to Thais/Asians will not allow people from other backgrounds to enter the premises if not invited by one of the regular guests or without paying a prohibitive entrance fee. The same goes for places catering to Westerners, Japanese, Arabs or other ethnicities, most will refuse clientele with another background at the door.

Prostitution in Thailand - Body massage

Body massage (Ab ob nuat, washing and massage in Thai) in Thailand most often consists of either an oil massage, assisted bath, and/or bodyslide treatment ("soapie") followed by sexual services. These latter may or may not be included in the price paid to the house; if not, they are negotiated with the masseuse. These establishments tend to cater mostly to locals and Asians, but will also accept Western customers. In most of these places, the women wait sitting behind a glass window ("fish bowl"), usually watching TV, while the men have a drink and choose a woman.

These places can be found all over Bangkok and are often combined with hostess bars, karaoke bars and a restaurant; many of them are clustered in the Rachadapisek district. Chuwit Kamolvisit, then prominent owner of several such up-scale parlours, created a commotion in 2003 when he publicly accused hundreds of police officers of having accepted bribes from him. He later ran for public office.

Most of the bigger cities in Thailand also have body massage parlours.

Prostitution in Thailand - Bars catering to Westerners

The most popular form of prostitution with Westerners are the various forms of bars. In most cases, women ("bar girls" -- or men, in the case of gay bars) are employed by the bar either as dancers (in the case of go-go bars) or simply as hostesses, and will encourage customers to buy them "lady drinks." The hostesses or dancers are also often looking to find customers for sexual services; in many cases, the bar will employ one or more "mamasans" who will help match interested customers up to women. In most cases, a customer will pay a bar fine in order to leave the bar with his chosen companion, and will then need to negotiate with him/her for any time and/or sexual services. This can be generally divided into "short time" (at most a few hours) or "long time" (overnight). Some bars also have "short time rooms" on site, where instead of paying a bar fine to the bar, the customer will pay for the use of the room and services will be performed on-site.

Go-go bars are distinguished by having dancing on stage similar to a strip club in Western countries, although in general as of 2004 because of the "social order" crackdown, dancers will more likely be topless or in a bikini or similar revealing costume rather than fully naked. Even toplessness is technically illegal.

"Beer bars" and hostess bars are similar; beer bars are generally outdoors, fairly small, and often clustered with other beer bars, while hostess bars are generally indoors. Beyond that, there is a very great range in size and amenities. There are also a fair number of bars which blur the line with a brothel of sorts, such as "blowjob bars" on Soi Post Office or various short-time establishments on Soi Yodsak in Pattaya.

Some bars employ kathoey ("ladyboys") exclusively, catering to male customers. Many of these look amazingly like women, especially to the untrained eye.

Many of these bars are owned and operated by Westerners. Technically, foreigners are not allowed to own more than 49% of a bar or nightclub however, so these Westerners either partner with a Thai or lease the bar from a Thai owner. Some entrepreneurs also create a number of bars with the chief purpose of selling or leasing them to poorly informed Westerners.

Beyond these sorts of bars, there are a number of other venues for the sex trade; some bars, while not employing women as sex workers, will allow "freelance" prostitutes to solicit clients. This is also true of some coffee shops (including the well-known Thermae on Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok) near red-light districts and many of the foreign-oriented nightclubs. In Pattaya, the well-known area for freelancers is the sea-side of Beach Road.

The Bangkok nightlife was covered for almost forty years by Bernard Trink's weekly column Night Owl in the Bangkok Post.

Prostitution in Thailand - Male Prostitution

Thailand's male prostitutes are usually aged 12-35, and include university graduates, office workers, students and street children. It is said some Thai women were paying upwards of 10,000 baht (243 dollars) per night for the services, which fly in the face of conservative Thai traditions. This trend though has been rather exaggerated in the media.

The niche market which until recently had largely focused on a gay clientele, has become increasingly popular with women.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Forms of prostitution", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki