Sex Industry
Sex Industry
From lady boys to ping-pong shows, Thailand’s sex industry is booming.
Between 150,000 and 200,000 sex workers offer their services to tourists and nationals alike, according to the World Health Organisation.
While sex shows might seem like harmless fun, the reality is often less entertaining.
There were three women on stage, all in their 40s. They looked drugged up and bored…
Layla Smith*, 24, decided to visit a ping-pong show in Bangkok with her best friend last summer after hearing about them from friends.
During the performance, the women do tricks using their private parts. Layla was initially led down a stairway into a dingy-looking club, where she joined five other travellers.
“There were three women on stage, all in their 40s. They looked drugged up and bored. I also saw a c-section scar on one of the women’s stomachs,” she says.
During the show, Layla felt increasingly uncomfortable. “Afterwards, we went straight back to our hostel. We didn’t feel like carrying on the night.”
She wouldn’t recommend other travellers to go. “You reinforce the exploitation of those women, who are obviously not there out of free will.”
*A fake name has been used, as she didn’t want to be identified