Prostitution and Bar Girls in Thailand
Major Wife - Minor Wife
Thais generally blame Chinese immigrants for bringing prostitution to Thailand. But Thailand already had a long-standing concubinary tradition. In the 17th century the capital at Ayuthaya housed an official government office in charge of hundreds of concubines, and until the 1930s Siam (as Thailand was formerly known) had no laws forbidding polygamy. After this time the traditional Thai Mia Yai-Mia Noi (major wife-minor wife) system has made it socially acceptable for men in Thailand to keep several mistresses. All the Thai kings up to Rama IV had 'Mia Noi' as did most Thai men who could afford them. Today talk of a Mia Noi hardly raises an eyebrow. The tradition lives on among some business men, politicians and crimelords.
Chinese Brothels
The first brothel district was established in Bangkok by Chinese immigrants and initially, only Chinese women worked as prostiutes there. Prostitution gradually spread from these 'green lantern' districts to Chinese neighbourhoods throughout Thailand. They can now be found in just about every village, town and city throughout the Thai kingdom. Nowadays, the prostitutes themselves come from every ethnic background, even Russia and central Europe. Prostitution was declared illegal in the 1950s. Today there remain over 200 000 women offering sex services in Thailand.
Foreign Soldiers
In the 1960s and 70s the Vietnam war brought unprecedented numbers of foreign soldiers to Bangkok and Pattaya, creating a new class of prostitutes catering to foreigners (or 'Farangs') rather than Thais. It is interesting though, that a relatively small percentage of prostitutes in Thailand work in bars and massage parlours aimed at foreign trade. The huge majority work in cafes, barbershops and brothels only rarely frequented by non-Thais. It is thought that Thai/non-Thai transactions represent less than 5% of the total. At its worst the Thai sex industry takes girls (often underrage) sold or endentured by their families, sometimes even kidnapped, and forces them to work in conditions of virtual slavery. Most sex-workers in Thailand are uneducated and come from village areas. Some women though do return to their villages with a nest egg where, surprisingly, they are treated with some measure of respect.
Thailand Bar Girls
In the Patpong-style bar catering to foreigners the bar girls are freelance agents. They earn their income from a percentage of the drinks bought on their behalf and from sex liasons arranged off premises. If they leave during working hours the customer pays a bar fine. None of what she negogiates for other services goes to a controller. In many circles it is acceptable for Thai men, married and unmarried, to visit prostitutes and many Thai women are aware (which does not mean they approve) that their husbands and boyfriends visit them. There are certain ground rules though, and Thai people do not understand why Farang (foreigners) demean themselves by being seen in public with Thai prostitutes.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
If you have unprotected sex in Thailand you are very likely to pick up some kind of infection. Condom use is high among Thailand's sex workers and definitely recommended. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates 40% of sex workers in Thailand's Chiang Mai district are HIV positive.
Child Prostitution
Under current Thai law an offender will face 4 - 20 years imprisonment for sex with a minor (under 15 years old), or a fine of 200 - 400 000 baht. If the child is under 13 years the sentence can be life imprisonment. In addition, many Western countries have instigated extra-territorial legislation, whereby citizens can be charged at home for child prostitution offences committed abroad.
