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fastmover
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Wednesday, October 15, 2003
THAILAND
Thai prostitutes hang on to trade as world leaders converge on Bangkok
ASSOCIATED PRESS in Bangkok
Updated at 1.43pm:
Despite nightly skirmishes with police, Bangkok's numerous prostitutes are hanging on to their trade as world leaders prepare to gather in this spruced-up, semi-cleansed city.
And the streetwalkers vow to be back out in force as soon as the last VIP departs.
Obsessed with image and holding a traditional Asian fear of losing face, the government is spending 554 million baht (HK$110 million) to prettify the so-called City of Angels for the October 20-21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
Much of the snap beautification is conventional: Workers are planting trees and building fountains near summit venues.
Among the controversial ideas are the removal of "eyesores" like prostitutes, homeless people and stray dogs. The sex workers were the first targets and police since August stepped up patrols and increased the number of arrests in a city infamous worldwide for its red-light districts.
But on a recent night, about 60 prostitutes dressed in tight shorts and high heels stood chatting along Rachadamri Avenue, which leads to meeting venues and hotels that will lodge the summit's 21 leaders, including US President George W. Bush. Their darting eyes were alert for customers -and the police.
Oh, a 17-year-old street-walker, said the crackdown has simply forced her and her colleagues to work longer hours to make up for the money they expect to lose during Apec. Toi, who like the others asked that her last name not be used, said she has lost count of the times she's been arrested.
"I'm back at work right away. No time to waste," said the 23-year-old sex worker, explaining that she started selling her body four months ago to save up for college tuition fees.
The women say Rachadamri is usually packed with cars on paydays and Fridays. "These guys cause a really bad jam when they stop to check us out. On a busy night, we make as much as 3,000 baht," Toi said. If taken in by police, the fines only range between 500-1,000 baht.
According to the prostitutes, homeless people are still roaming the streets, especially late at night when the police take little notice of them. Only the stray dogs are gone, they note.
The women were sympathetic to the government's efforts, saying they would also clean up their houses before a guest arrived. But they insisted they would work until at least the middle of the month.
"I can't stop before that. I have an eight-month-old boy. My husband is jobless and a drug addict. My savings are gone," Oh lamented.
Major-General Phadet Thalawon of the capital's police force, admitted the crackdown wasn't the answer in the long run.
"It doesn't make any difference. They always come back after paying the fine. Sometimes, we arrest them three times in one night and they pay the fine three times. Honestly, we're as sick of them as they're sick of us," he says.
General Phadet says his team often chase after some 200 prostitutes - both male and female - around Sanam Luang, the vast field where national ceremonies are staged. The field is near the Grand Palace, where the summit will take place.
The number of prostitutes in this area has increased since the crackdown because a number have fled other areas of the city to congregate there, the officer said.
The prostitutes say that after the police failed to drive them off the streets they began asking for their cooperation in disappearing during the Apec conference for the sake of the country's image.
Most are willing to go along but call for legalisation of the sex trade to avoid similar showdowns with police in the future.
Fern, 21, says legalisation would make life much easier, particularly for those in the business out of sheer necessity. A student by day, Fern is a transvestite and has offered sex services for two years to support his impoverished family.
"The cat-and-mouse game doesn't work. We've agreed to the police request. But they know we'll be back as soon as the delegates fly out of the country," he says.
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 2:39 am on Oct. 15, 2003
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Smegma
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Quote: from fastmover on 2:39 pm on Oct. 15, 2003
Major-General Phadet Thalawon of the capital's police force...... "Honestly, we're as sick of them as they're sick of us," he says.
The prostitutes say that after the police failed to drive them off the streets they began asking for their cooperation in disappearing during the Apec conference for the sake of the country's image.
"The cat-and-mouse game doesn't work. We've agreed to the police request. But they know we'll be back as soon as the delegates fly out of the country," she says.
You read that .... and you cannot stop liking the pragmatism of the Thai.
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Bangkok Women : Meet Sensual Bangkok Women
Posted on: 2:51 am on Oct. 15, 2003
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thaiprivateeye
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Hear also that ASOKE PLAZA due to go the same way as Soi 10, at least the numerous farangs who invested have been given some warning, Dec 2nd as I hear the time for closure -
p.s. Whats all the commotion over Sathorn road today, helicopters circling, trust just a fire and not something more sinister !
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Sexy Bangkok Girls
Posted on: 5:36 am on Oct. 15, 2003
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PussyLover 69
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TPE,
You mean the ASOKE PLAZA and SOI COWBOY will be demolished just like Soi 10 ?
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 6:21 am on Oct. 15, 2003
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Arcadius
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Asoke Plaza (like Clinton & Suk Square) is just succumbing to urban development - it has nothing to do with 'social order'. Cowboy is safe for now. I fear it may not last very long after the MRT opens up Asok to development - rapid communications with Silom/Sathorn are coming up, and the Asok BTS/MRT junction area must become very desirable real estate.
Good article. I particularly liked:
Obsessed with image and holding a traditional Asian fear of losing face...
Justice will be served if the govt just ends up making a fool of itself.
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Bangkok Women : Meet Beautiful Thai Girls
Posted on: 6:46 am on Oct. 15, 2003
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NaughtiusMaximus
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TPE, there was a fire on the 45th floor I think it was of the 'Empire' building I think it is called, the big glass one on the corner of ChongNonsi and Sathorn. It was all out by 6ish, amazing it did not spread at that height and become a major disaster. Someone must have gathered plenty of buckets in advance.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 7:25 am on Oct. 15, 2003
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eyeswideopen
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No wonder all the bars in Asoke Plaza are for sale on Sunbelt for bargain prices of 4-5 million baht.
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Thai Girls : Meet Active Thai Girls
Posted on: 8:04 am on Oct. 15, 2003
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fastmover
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Thai pragmatism is also in the daily performance of most BG's who relate to a variety personality types, but understand there is one way to make them all 'come' together.
Maybe if the cops and the pros sat down and talked (OK lay down and talked) a decision might be reached on ending the charade.
ps Are you off topic again Mr. eyeswideopen?
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 6:01 am on Oct. 16, 2003
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Yurune
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The topic was another regurgitated newspaper report from Shanghai based fastposter.
TPE (resident) commented - why didn't you pick on him....we both know why.
Arcadius (resident) commented
NM (resident) commented
eyeswideopen (resident) commented
why the bitchy comment....?
Was a good thread until I just f_cked it.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 6:13 am on Oct. 16, 2003
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