Thai sex industry under attack from first female tourism minister

Thailand's first female tourism minister has vowed to crack down on the country's infamous sex industry in the wake of several police raids.

"We want Thailand to be about quality tourism," Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul told Reuters. "We want the sex industry gone."

The Thai government is to focus on appealing to more female tourists, as well as expand the wedding and honeymoon sector and eco-tourism.

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One project involves holding a month-long travel festival for women, which will include discounts on products and services and female-only pink immigration lanes and parking zones at airports.

Prostitution has been illegal since 1960 but underground brothels thrive across Bangkok and other popular tourist spots. The police are accused of turning a blind eye in exchange for cash.

"Experts say it will be hard to rid Thailand of an industry that is so entrenched and that provides pay-offs to untold numbers of officials and policemen," Reuters reports.

Police raided dozens of brothels in several major cities in search of underage and illegal workers last month, but only one was shut down.

The sex industry is part of a "shadow economy" that one economist estimates is worth more than two-fifths of the nation's gross domestic product, says Bloomberg.

"On the streets of Bangkok, there are undocumented and untaxed businesses everywhere," it adds. "Inside the buildings and away from the capital are darker corners of the illicit market: sex workers, gambling dens, drug smuggling and human trafficking."

Organisations supporting sex workers say the crackdown is unrealistic and accuse the military government of being in denial about the industry's contribution to the economy and tourism.

"The police presence already drives off a number of clients who come to relax or drink at bars," said Surang Janyam, director of Service Workers in Group, which provides prostitutes with free medical care and vocational training. "Wiping out this industry is guaranteed to make Thailand lose visitors and income."