Government Policies to Regulate Sex Tourism in Thailand Research Paper

Government Policies to Regulate Sex Tourism in Thailand - Research Paper Example Government Policies to Regulate Sex Tourism in Thailand Sex tourism gets its popularity from the acute unemployment and poverty in the destination country. Edwards (2012) argues that sex tourism is a multibillion dollar sector that offers support to an international workforce of over 50 million people. The sex industry also benefits the service industry including hotels, restaurants, airlines, and transport industries. Sex tourism is often associated with males and various nations have become preferred destinations for sex tourists, such as, Brazil, Thailand, Indonesia, and Colombia among others (Harrison, 2010). Among these nations, Thailand is at the center of sexual tourism worldwide with Pattaya, Bangkok, and Phuket the major sex tourism destinations. There are about 2 million sexual workers in Thailand. Of the 59 million Thai population, over a half a million people are infected with HIV/AIDS. This is primarily attributed to sex trade. In this perspective, the paper will discuss what the government of Thailand should do in relation to the continuing practice of sex tourism as a dominant form of tourism to its country. People who travel so as to engage in sexual activity are subject to the prostitution laws of that destination nation. However, when the sexual activity is non-consensual or involves child prostitution it is illegal both in the individual’s home country and the participating nation. Sex tourists interact indiscriminately with various sex partners of their choice irrespective of their age.