Thailand--tourism and the sex industry.

Overheard at the meat market:

Customer: "Lately, I've been feeling poorly--tired and weak--not myself. Do you have a nice cut of meat that might perk me up?"

Butcher: "I have just the thing. Something special: goat, fresh and young! A succulent kid. With a fine glass of red wine, it will do the trick. Guaranteed!" (Swartele, 1996)

This could well be a conversation that describes the flesh trade of Asian women or children caught in the sex industry who become the meat for sex tourists!

In recent years, international tourism has become an increasingly influential factor in the Thai economy Tourism brings hundreds of millions of dollars into the country. Thailand, like most of Asia, is like a magnet drawing western tourists as well as those from surrounding Asian countries. The constant sunshine, beautiful beaches and islands, which are rapidly being transformed into tourist resorts with accompanying bars and nightlife, are attractions enough. Added to this is a fascinating culture and interesting people with which to interact. Underlying all these is the exploitative and sometimes violent world of sex tourism, a result of the increasing desire of western men for Asian women, children and young men to satisfy their sexual fantasies and to provide material for pornography For little cost, the easily available women and children become the `exotic delicacies' and `fresh meat'. At little cost to the users, but for the many young girls and children who are used, it is a high price--of emotional and often physical pain, shame, loss of dignity and self worth. They no longer exist as persons but as commodities to be bought and sold, used and tossed away

Sex tourism in Asia is big business. In 1999 approximately eight million tourists visited Thailand. It is commonly estimated that 70% of all tourists are men travelling alone. Of this figure, it is estimated that 70% come specifically for sex! So in 1999 3,920,000 men came to Thailand for sex. Of these sex tourists, 1.4 million came from Europe. This does not take into account the numbers that travel to the Philippines, to Bali in Indonesia, to Sri Lanka. (figures: Department of Immigration, Thailand)

Sex tourism is defined as `people (men and women) from the economically developed nations travelling to underdeveloped countries specifically to purchase the sexual services of local men, women and children'. (Davidson-O'Connell, 1996.)

Who are the sex tourists?

There are three kinds of sex tourists, `Mr. Macho', usually semi-skilled workers in their early 20's seeking as many sexual experiences as possible; `Mr. Average', the ordinary bloke interested in some romantic or emotional involvement with one or a series of women; and `Mr. Professional', the businessman. Very often within these groups is the pedophile looking for sexual experience that is forbidden in the home country--sex with children. These tourists can again be divided into four categories. First there are the men who come on sex tours, advertised and organized in the home country. Others travel independently but specifically for sex. The third group come for a `holiday in paradise' but with the attitude that a holiday includes doing things that you cannot do or would not indulge in at home. This may involve sex with male as well as female prostitutes and/or children. Finally, are those men who visit Thailand once and get swept into repeated sexual encounters, often through loneliness or the `hospitality' of Thai business hosts.

Why Asia? Why Thailand?

Sexual services are cheap, as are accommodation, food, drinks and travel. There is an abundant choice and diversity of settings, services and `servers', all at very affordable prices. The traditional attitude of subservience of the Asian woman to the man guarantees compliance with his desires, not only sexually but in caring for and serving him. This flatters the male ego and reinforces his desire for Asian women. They may also serve as cheap or unpaid tour guides, interpreters and maids. Through the mirror of Asian eyes, the aging, fat and balding westerner sees himself again as young, sexy and virile. This is all a part of the fantasy in the land where the sex tourist advertisements say `Come to Thailand where all your fantasies will be made to come true'.

Frequently, the relationship of the western sex tourist with the Asian woman is a subtle, emotional abuse rather than physical violence. For some there may be violence, especially for the young girls sold into the brothels who may be raped and beaten into submission to comply with the customers' demands. These clients are usually local men or Asian tourists. But for the majority it is the abuse of power. White male superiority, economic and psychological power, the abusive power of the rich over the poor. The relationship is unequal since it is based on need and power. The women's need for money and the economic superiority of the male tourists and their desire to `fulfil their fantasies'. The relationship is also one of dependency. This can be emotionally abusive to the man as well. He may fall in love but she may only see the relationship as a means to money. He may return time and again to search for her or possibly become involved in a life time of financial commitment to her family. Conversely, the woman may swear undying love, but to the sex tourist on his return home she is just another part of his `holiday in paradise'.

For the women, particularly in Thailand, the foreign tourist is seen as money--money for the family or perhaps a ticket to freedom and a new and `better' life in a western country. According to a report by the National Economic and Social Development Board of Thailand, nearly eight million Thai people (7% of the population) earn an average income of 1,166 baht ($US45) per year. Thai tradition encourages the elder daughters to find work to support the family. If they come from the village and have little education and no work skills, they have little opportunity but to enter the sex trade to earn what is sufficient for their families. Many are married women who have been widowed or deserted by their husbands and have their own children to support and educate. Some may be the only breadwinner in a large family with elderly parents and younger siblings. It is not uncommon to meet 16-17 year old girls working in the bars to support and build houses for their parents. Some women view their entry into the sex trade as a sacrifice for their families and indeed may be proud that the work they do is giving their children the opportunity to go to school.

The following could be the story of thousands of Thai women, but for Pranee, there is a happy ending.

"My name is Pranee. I come from a small village in the Northeast of Thailand. My father died when I was 12 years old, and as the eldest child I had to find work to provide for my family At first I worked in a factory in Bangkok, but I was so young and the hours were long, the work was hard and there was hardly any pay Then my friends said, `Why don't you come to Pattaya and work with the foreigners to get money?' So I thought, okay, I would do this. So when 14 years old I began working in the bars and became a prostitute. Some months went by and I met a German man, he was in his fifties and I went to live with him as his wife. The relationship lasted for about three years and then we broke up. I thought he loved me but after the break up, I did not believe that there was such a thing in the world as love. I returned to Bangkok and began working in the bars as a dancer and later in the shows. I was convinced that I would have to be a prostitute for my whole life. I was only 19. I only thought about making money for my family But I had a dream that one day I would be able to buy some land and that I would be able to get an education.

About this time I heard of Rahab Beauty shop in Patpong and went in to do my makeup before going to work. They were friendly to me and told me about Jesus Christ who loved me. At first I did not believe it as I did not believe in love and I only wanted to make money for my family Finally one day I went to the church with them, I felt so good, no one knew what I was or what I did. For the first time in my life, I felt like a woman with dignity, like a princess. Soon after, I accepted God's love. I was very tired of working in the bars so I asked them what I could do. They said, `Go to Bible School'. I did. Now five years later, I have completed a year's Bible Training, completed my secondary education and am now studying full time in the university I worked with Rahab for four years as an evangelist and in counseling and helping the girls. Now God has given me a Christian husband and I am finding that I can share the gospel everywhere and bring my friends to know the love of Christ?

The objectives of Rahab Ministries are to share the love of Jesus Christ through friendship evangelism and social concern; to provide practical help and emotional support to women working in prostitution; and through sponsorship, to provide opportunities for education and vocational training for alternative employment. Rahab Greeting Cards provide an immediate source of income for women leaving the bars. Rahab House provides a home for women who leave prostitution as well as for younger girls on the Prevention program.

Over the years many women have found new life in Christ as the love of God has touched them and given them hope, a purpose, and healing the pain and rejection of the past.

What can be done?

* You can lobby and boycott travel companies that sell and condone sex tours.

* Approach national airlines requesting that they show in-flight videos on flights to Asia decrying sex tourism and stating that sex with children is a crime and punishable by national and international law.

* Write to your own and to other governments stating your concerns and advocating `good tourism'.

* Above all, pray that God should intervene.

References:

O'Connell-Davidson, J. and Sanchez-Taylor, J. (1996) Sex Tourism--Thailand. A Research Paper. Leicester, University of Leicester, Department of Sociology 

Seabrook, J. (1996) Travels in the Skin Trade: Tourism and the Sex Industry. London, Pluto Press.

Swartele, F. (1996). The Price of Lamb. Sex Tourism and the Abuse of Children. Brussels, ECPAT.