Date: 25 February 2003

One of the most controversial issues in Thailand these days, the legalizing prostitution resulted in mixed reactions in Thai society. Alongside the argument against legalization, the advocacy of activists and sex workers say such legalization would bring not only financial but social gain.

Although the opponent argued that legalization would bring more people into the sex trade, the activists explained that having legal status would allow actually sex workers protection from the exploitation or humiliation of their boss and customers. If they are legalized and made taxpayers, they could enjoy all the rights that other taxpayers have, including health-care service and other benefits provided government as well as the right to sue if they are exploited. Meanwhile, this even pushes people way from the business, especially with those who only want easy money; they have to think twice because nobody wants to be labeled prostitutes.

Moreover, the activists advocated the legalization of underground business would boost state revenues. Nowadays, prostitution is the largest underground business which accounts 40 to 50 billion baht (about US$930 million to US$1.2 billion) a year. If the government brings the trade into legal one, the country will gain the bigger income.

The legalized prostitution will also reduce corruption according to the advocacy. This idea will benefit the sex-trade operators because they do not need to pay big money for bribes or protection fees.

The proposal to legalize prostitution was among the ideas proposed by National Economic and Social Development (NESDB) in order to turn underground economy to be legal and enhance state's income.

Apart from the principal aim at the larger amount of revenue, the more important impact which appeals consideration is the situation of sex-workers who still suffer an uneasy life and are often molested both sexually and physically by boss and customers in Thai society nowadays.

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