We do choose to cover this subject on our sites for the simple reason that some people want to know. There is little point in brushing it under the carpet. Sex tourism is one of the many things for which Thailand is renowned. However there really is not a naughty nightlife scene in Phang Nga. Pattaya and Bangkok have large areas specifically devoted to this market. Many other tourist locations such as Phuket, Koh Samui, Hua Hin and Krabi have smaller areas that provide for the sex tourists.
Phang Nga does not. It does not have go-gos. It does not have beer bar complexes. It does not cater for sex tourists. The local authorities have long recognised the appeal of Phang Nga is its natural attractions such as the beaches. Their target markets are couples, families, divers, trekkers, etc. They have actively suppressed the sex industry and you will not see girly bars operating in the open. That is not to say that the girly scene is non-existent.
Just that it is discreet and difficult to find. So we will give a bit of background info and a quick run through of what happens in Phang Nga but really there is very little to tell. Prostitution was made illegal in Thailand in However, the Thai government was never keen to criminalise a profession that has flourished in the country for centuries and they only did so under political pressure from the UN and US at the time.
The legislation was replaced in by a new piece of legislation called "The Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act". This legislation has a vaguer definition of what constitutes prostitution. The new act includes the proviso that it is only prostitution if the participants act in a 'promiscuous manner'. This gives the authorities leeway in allowing what is clearly a thriving business to operate while still having the legislation to control it if they think anyone has crossed the lines.
Prostitution in Thailand has never been limited to the tourist resorts. In fact, this is a recent development. Almost every town in Thailand has brothels, although much more discreet than those in the tourist towns. The majority of prostitution in Thailand takes place between Thais. The emergence of sex tourism in Thailand started with the arrival of American servicemen from the Vietnam War in the s. Pattaya became a favourite destination for the GIs. They soon discovered the charms of the local girls and a new industry was born in Thailand.
