By Jessie Keep
“Sex Workers Face Poverty as Thailand Announces Image Makeover.” Women and Girls, 9 Feb. 2017, by The New Humanitarian.
Within Thailand there is a complex and controversial issue that thrives in the shadows: prostitution. Although the topic is often stigmatised, as well as condemned, for many women in Thailand prostitution is a way of survival in a challenging socio-economic environment. The themes of poverty, economic inequality, and exploitation that push women into the industry of prostitution will be discussed.
A significant role that plays into women entering the prostitution industry is the lack of basic needs to provide for themselves and/or their family. As of 2022, the poverty rate rose to 6.6% from 6.3% in 2021. Because of rising poverty, it increases the vulnerability of these women, making it harder for them to survive without employment, therefore making them turn to prostitution as their primary source of income.
Furthermore, Thailand’s socio-economic landscape creates a plethora of challenges for women, for example, low wages. Thailand’s minimum wage is 353 THB (Thai baht) per day. In comparison, the United Kingdom’s minimum wage of 10.18 pounds per hour (450.85 THB per hour) shows how much lower Thailand’s minimum wage is. Although Thailand's cost of living is 59% lower than the UK’s, a report by the Empower Foundation found that 45% of prostitutes continue their job as a sex worker due to financial constraints and the need to support their family, displaying that the minimum wage in Thailand is not enough to satisfy their needs. This is most likely due to sex workers being able to make at least double, or in some cases ten times, the daily minimum wage.
Lastly, according to the Global Slavery Index (GSI), there are an estimated 401,000 people living in conditions of modern slavery within Thailand - including those who are forced into prostitution. Employers target women in poverty through promises of giving them better lives and well-paid job opportunities to deceive them into sexual exploitation. Sexual exploitation is not only limited to adult women as scammers have begun to target children as well. A 2022 study discovered 9% of internet users aged between 12-17 have experienced online sexual exploitation and abuse, including being blackmailed to share and engage in sexual activities, or images, without their permission.
In conclusion, women are incentivised to this industry because of economic struggles, and/or exploitation. The lack of alternatives when it comes to unemployment causes women to turn to the prostitution industry, giving these women what they need for them, and their families, to survive. In addition, laws regarding the protection of sex workers are crucial in demolishing exploitation of women and young children into the sex industry in order to create a safer, equitable environment for the women of Thailand.
For more information about sex workers in Thailand, click here:
References:
Acas. “National Minimum Wage Entitlement | Acas.” Acas.org.uk, 1 Apr. 2023, www.acas.org.uk/national-minimum-wage-entitlement.
Limited, Bangkok Post Public Company. “Diving into Sex Work.” Bangkok Post, www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/special-reports/1716055. Accessed 29 Aug. 2023.
“Poverty in Thailand.” Asian Development Bank, 6 May 2019, www.worldbank.org/en/country/thailand/overview#:~:text=Poverty%20is%2C%20however%2C%20projected%20to,phased%20out%20amid%20elevated%20inflation.
“Thailand.” Walk Free, www.walkfree.org/global-slavery-index/country-studies/thailand/.
“Thailand vs UK Comparison: Cost of Living, Prices, Salary.” Livingcost.org, 27 July 2020, livingcost.org/cost/thailand/united-kingdom.
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