The cultural and economic factors enabling the sex tourism in developing countries: the case of women and children in Thailand





ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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ABSTRACT

The research study is based on the cultural and economic factors enabling the sex tourism in developing countries: the case of women and children in Thailand. The sex tourism is one of the important topics that have been discussed in the past literature thoroughly. Thailand is nestled between the Asian countries of Laos and Burma. Textiles and garments remain Thailand's largest industry and second-largest source exports, after electronics (Cumming et al., 2006). Buddhism is the primary religion (Cummings et al., 2006). Tourism can be understood as a complex phenomenon engaging "histories, ideologies, cultures, personalities, race, gender, class, and age differences, as well as situational contingencies" (Harrison, 2003, pg. 65). Whether through sex work, childcare, cleaning, or serving, these types of "feminine" labor are cheap and comprise the backbone of the tourist industry.

The concept of travel and tourism, and how it is understood and perceived by both the traveler and the host, is intriguing. Many travelers are attracted to foreign destinations located in the geographical south by the allure of pristine beaches, lush tropical forests, and authentic cultural experiences. These elements are perceived as exciting because they are markedly different than those experienced by the traveler on a daily basis, and reinforce the idea that the traveler is indeed on a vacation. The very root of travel writing is embedded in identifying and exposing differences between the tourist and the local. Places and experiences prized by these travelers are considered "undiscovered", uninfluenced by the forces of globalization. The idea of the authentic experience and a preconceived notion of the other can also be applied to reasons why tourists travel to certain destinations for sexual purposes.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1: CULTURAL REASONS FOR SEX TOURISM IN THAILAND1

History of the Sex Industry in Thailand4

Theory and Culture5

Economic Reasons for Sex Tourism8

Justification10

Relevance11

CHAPTER 2: CULTURAL REASONS FOR ACCEPTANCE OF SEX TOURISM14

Promotion of Sex Tourism14

Current Laws in Thailand regarding sex tourism18

Thai Laws for Child Sex Tourism19

Women21

Children24

CHAPTER 3: ECONOMIC REASONS FOR ACCEPTANCE AND PROMOTION OF SEX TOURISM27

Tourism, Trafficking and Sex Tour Packages29

Factors influencing Sex Tourism in Thailand31

The Economic Spectrum32

Women34

Children39

CHAPTER 4: SUGGESTIONS FOR CHANGING THE CURRENT SITUATION42

Domestic organizations42

Government42

International organizations work in Thailand43

International organizations work on the issue internationally44

CHAPTER 1: CULTURAL REASONS FOR SEX TOURISM IN THAILAND

Thailand is nestled between the Asian countries of Laos and Burma. The city of Bangkok and ...