Thailand is known for its sex tourism, but technically, prostitution is illegal, well at least the solicitation of it. Despite this, the industry is monitored and regulated. One of its many contradictory sexual mores.
I was told that the government instituted a type of training for women performing at the ping pong shows a few years ago in order to increase the entertainment factor for tourists. There have been a number of government officials who openly either own or have relatives that own massage parlors and go-go bars. As noted in werd up!, the type of Buddhism that is practiced in Thailand preaches tolerance and karma (paying for past sins), thereby social stigma for prostitutes as witnessed in other countries is not so extreme in Thailand.
Imagine my surprise to find out that porn sites are blocked in Thailand because it 'could have an effect on or be against the security of the Kingdom, public order or good morals'. So while Vietnam blocks facebook, porn sites are not viewed as security or morals issues. I've had my fill of facebook in Thailand but the other sites just adds to the contradictory sexual mores of this country.
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