Discourse on Prostitutes in Thai Society in Era of Development (B.E. 2501-2539)

Abstract

The aim of academic article was to analyze the relationship between discourses on Prostitutes in Thai society in the era of development to explain that problems with Prostitutes in Thai society were not caused by social developments, but the government and political power system which formed definitions, knowledge and facts related to Prostitutes in Thai society in this period. This discourse was created through various significant tools such as national economic development policy utilizing Prostitutes and commercial sex industry which the government considered that it was a significant factor and condition that raised national revenue from foreign countries. Although it was considered illegal at that time based on Prevention and Suppression of Prostitutes Act, B.E. 2503 (1960), as commercial sex industry closely harmonized with national economic development policy, the government implemented only prevention rather than suppression. Therefore, commercial sex industry and its related businesses flourished and brought huge income to the country while at the same time causing social problems. It formed counter-discourse on Prostitutes in Thai society in era of development aiming to illegalize Prostitutes. As a result, such counter-discourse made Prostitutes and sex trade illegal and they become issues to be seriously suppressed from that time until this present era.