Andrea Vilchez

           Throughout recent years, human sex trafficking has become an issue of vital importance in Thailand. Prostitution has come to be a defining factor in Thai society. While the matter finds causes in social, economic, and political changes over the last half century, the various religions practiced throughout the country have also played a major role in the expansion of the sex trafficking industry. Thailand’s attitude on prostitution has developed through the moral views established by the social teachings found in the country’s most influential religions—Buddhism, Catholicism, and Islam.

           Buddhism, being the main religion of Thailand, advocates that women are not necessarily viewed as lesser than men (Dewaraja, The Position of Women in Buddhism). However, societal norms have placed women and children in charge of providing and helping their families, often including providing relief from financial pressures. This view has come into place due to karma-related teachings found in Buddhism, which hold that nirvana is achievable through merit and the accumulation of good karma. Many women, and in several cases children too, have come to believe that through helping their families, they are not only providing for them financially, but are also establishing good karma for themselves. Often, an idea of self-purification is also included in their merit, due to some monks’ views of women as “dangerous objects” who entice and seduce men (http://www.sexwork.com). Thailand, being approximately 95% Buddhist, widely accepts these perceptions and it is for this reason that a majority of Thai society regards prostitution as a means of providing for families and as work that would bring about good karma. Prostitution has thus become an accepted form of merit, and people that choose to involve themselves in the practice are not judged for their actions in light of their “good” intentions.

           Catholicism first developed an influence on the kingdom of Thailand with the country’s establishment of international trade in the early 14th century (Bangkok Post). By the 17th century, the religion had not only established a permanent foothold in Thai society, but had begun its expansion with the foundation of churches and schools. About a century later, the country experienced an increase in Catholic congregations, which continued the missionary work of earlier centuries. Religious orders like the Salesians, set out to teach and educate the people of Thailand. In 1965, the Association of Catholic Education Council began its mission to incorporate moral values into the Thai people—including the Catholic respect for life—in hopes of creating good citizens. While many critics saw this work as attempts at undermining Buddhist influence, the council contrastingly worked to reinforce the religion’s power, by producing more devout followers. Regardless of the extensive Catholic work in Thailand however, the country has managed to become a world leader in sex trafficking. Missionary work and the work of several religious groups have been unable to stop the spread of prostitution, due to the overwhelming influence of Buddhism with less than a tenth of the Thai population being Catholic (Society of Saint Pius X).

While Islam is among the most influential religions in Thailand, its social teachings seem to have had little effect on the Thai view on prostitution. The Qu’ran itself advocates a strong protection of women’s rights. Women are viewed as equal to men and are offered a “respected place in society” (Muslimbridges.org). However, while these beliefs are directly found in the Islamic holy text, many Islamic societies have found themselves abandoning such values and principles and adopting more contemporary beliefs. Modern Islamic law for example, allows for the existence of “temporary marriage”, a phrase used to refer to prostitution (TheReligionOfPeace.org). From this standpoint, men are allowed to utilize women for sex outside of their primary marriage so long as the woman is compensated. If a man wishes to enter into permanent marriage with a woman, she is automatically subjected to the mandatory fulfillment of her husband’s every sexual need. That is, upon marriage, women relinquish their right to deny her husband sexual favors at any time, and if she does so, her husband is allowed to divorce her. Thus, Islamic values often find themselves contradicting of each other. Inclusively, despite the prohibition of prostitution by certain Islamic sects, Thailand finds itself frequently welcoming Muslim men seeking the benefits of the country’s growing sex trafficking industry (The Jerusalem Post).

Thailand has found religion to play a major role in the development of the country’s moral values. With Buddhism, Catholicism, and Islam being some of the most popular in the region, the social teachings of each have come to affect the expansion of Thai sex trafficking. Although in recent years, Catholic workers have strived to incorporate a respect for life into Thai society, Buddhism finds itself overpowering this missionary work with 90% of the population regarding prostitution as a means of merit and good karma. Inclusively, even the seemingly contradictory teachings of Islamic text and the stipulations of Islamic law have greatly contributed to the Thailand’s development into “Asia’s Brothel”. 

Works Cited

 Chumsriphan, Surachai. "A Brief History Of The Catholic Church In Thailand." Society of Saint Pius X-District of Asia SSPX. Fall 2002. Web. 11 May 2011. <http://www.sspxasia.com/Newsletters/2002/Oct-Dec/Catholic_Church_in_Thailand.htm>.

Dewaraja, L. S. "The Position of Women in Buddhism." Access to Insight. Buddhist Publication Society, 5 June 2010. Web. 12 May 2011. <http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/dewaraja/wheel280.html>.

Frantzman, Seth J. "Terra Incognita: Sex, Islamism and the Old South." Jerusalem Post | Breaking News from Israel, the Middle East & the Jewish World. The Jerusalem Post, 04 May 2011. Web. 15 May 2011. <http://www.jpost.com/LandedPages/PrintArticle.aspx?id=215305>.

"The Influence Of Thai Buddhism on Prostitution." Sexwork Cyber Resource Center || Welcome. Sexwork Cyber Center, 1999. Web. 11 May 2011. <http://www.sexwork.com/Thailand/buddhism.html>.

Nimkannon, Oratip. "Education and Language Education and in Thailand." Bangkok Post : Yingluck Takes the Helm. The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd., 8 Aug. 2005. Web. 12 May 2011. <http://www.bangkokpost.com/education/site2005/cvau0905.htm>.

"TheReligionofPeace - Islam: Temporary Marriage (Prostitution)." TheReligionofPeace.com - Guide to Understanding Islam. TheReligionOfPeace.com. Web. 15 May 2011. <http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/Quran/008-temporary-marriage.htm>.

Yahya, Haroun. "God's Mercy Towards Women." MuslimBridges.org. Web. 15 May 2011. <http://www.muslimbridges.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=426:gods-mercy-toward-women&catid=34:gender-equity-a-women-rights-in-islam&Itemid=134>.

Kate Molinari

          Morality is defined as "principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong" (Google Dictionary) and is often associated with religion. Without morality, a country's culture would be riddled with crime and human life would be greatly disrespected. This is the case for Thailand, where human sex trafficking ruins the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. The moral compass of Thai culture is broken, and to understand religion's role in how it became so and how it can be fixed, one must observe the effects of Buddhism, Catholicism, and Islam on the culture of Thailand.
              Out of the three religions Buddhism has had the largest impact on Thailand’s morality, and unfortunately has damaged it due to a couple of reasons. First, Buddhism has no set moral code (“Buddhism in Thailand, the Buddhist Religion”).  Without a moral code, a religion cannot create boundaries on respecting the human person. In Thailand, this has created a moral dilemma. Because 94% of the population follow Buddhism (“Thai Religion, Buddhism Explained”), a faith without moral boundaries, the overwhelming majority of Thai people are jaded to many crimes against humanity such as human sex trafficking. To add, Buddhism has faced a decline within Thailand, suffering economically and socially. Since the economic crisis of 1997, Buddhism has faced economic instability. As a result, there have been cases of monks turning to corruption to obtain necessary funds and reports of lay people stealing temple donations (“Thai Buddhism - Buddhism Nowadays”). The economic decline of Buddhism has led to crime, creating moral decay. The faith of the Thai people has declined as well. Industrialization in Thailand has formed a culture of consumerism, which has led to a decrease in religious interest, temple attendance, and the number of monks. The lack of public interest has had a negative impact on Thai morality, since any forms of discipline and respect people may learn from following the Buddhist faith are beginning to disappear.
            The Catholic community of Thailand is small—about 0.55% of the population is Christian, and a fraction of that is Catholic (“Thai Religion, Buddhism Explained”). Due to this, the faith has had little impact on Thailand’s moral compass. However, there is great potential for this to change. In the past century, Catholicism has witnessed the development of social teaching. Catholic Social Teaching was developed for the Church and its members to apply the Catholic morality to the modern world (“Catholic Social Teaching”).  As such, its numerous teachings on humanity can easily be applied in Thailand, where there is already a Catholic community who lives out these teachings. Catholic Social Teaching is already making a difference in Thai culture. In response to increased domestic abuse, the Catholic Commission for Women and the Catholic Women’s Association of Thailand formed educational programs that teach women the dignity they have as Catholics and as human beings (UCANews). Programs like these can be applied to other situations like sex trafficking, where educating participants on self-worth and morality could give them the initiative to leave the business.
            Islam also holds great potential to change the morality of Thailand, but historical circumstances have inhibited the faith’s moral capacity for change. The Muslim faith contains a strict set of moral laws and many are applicable to the issue of sex trafficking. For example, the Qu’ran teaches that sex should take place within marriage alone (Rizvi). Unfortunately, conflict with Muslim extremists has placed a stigma upon the faith in Thailand. The southern region of Thailand was annexed in 1902 and with it a Malay Muslim population. This group has faced governmental discrimination and generalized alienation. In response, Muslim extremists have led insurgencies since the 1940s (Johnson). With insurgent violence that has caused nearly 4,000 deaths since 2004 alone (Magnier), the Thai population and government have fearfully treated followers of the Muslim faith with unfair discrimination. Because of this social barricade, the healing effects Islam might have on Thailand’s morality have been deterred.
            Buddhism, Catholicism, and Islam have all impacted the morality of Thailand. While Buddhism has had negative effects, Islam has been unable to impact Thai morality beyond its followers due to historical conflict. Up to the present, the impact of the Catholic Church on Thai morality has been felt little, but the development of Catholic Social Teaching is beginning to be felt through education. Perhaps fixing the moral compass lies in education. If the Thai people were reminded of the importance of Buddhism to their culture, taught that Islam is a religion of peace, and educated on Catholic Social Teaching, then perhaps human dignity could be instilled, Islam's morality accepted, and Buddhism's image restored.

Works Cited

"Buddhism in Thailand, the Buddhist Religion." Asiatours.net - Thailand Hotels and Tours - Asia Travel. Web. 16 May 2011. <http://asiatours.net/thailand/info/buddhism.html>.

"Catholic Social Teaching." Web Messenger. Web. 16 May 2011. <http://www.csnmail.net/~dsao/cst1.htm>.

Johnson, Toni. "The Muslim Insurgency in Southern Thailand." Council on Foreign Relations. Council on Foreign Relations, 10 Sept. 2008. Web. 16 May 2011. <http://www.cfr.org/thailand/muslim-insurgency-southern-thailand/p12531>.

Magnier, Mark. "Thailand | Muslim Insurgency in Thailand Grinds on - Page 3 - Los Angeles Times." Featured Articles From The Los Angeles Times. The Los Angeles Times, 04 Apr. 2010. Web. 16 May 2011. <http://articles.latimes.com/2010/apr/04/world/la-fg-thailand-insurgency4-2010apr04/3>.

Rizvi, Sayyid M. "Chapter Three: The Islamic Sexual Morality (2) Its Structure." Al-Islam.org by the Ahlul Bayt DILP - Home. Ahlul Bayt Digital Islamic Library Project. Web. 16 May 2011. <http://www.al-islam.org/m_morals/chap3.htm>.

"Thai Buddhism - Buddhism Nowadays." Thaiworldview.com. Web. 16 May 2011. <http://www.thaiworldview.com/bouddha/bouddha4.htm>.

"Thailand Religion, Buddhism Explained." Thailand Vacation. Essential Thailand Holiday Planner and Shopping Resource. Web. 16 May 2011. <http://www.thaifocus.com/religion.htm>.

UCANews. "More than Half of Thai Catholic Women Abused, Survey Reveals - International." Catholic Online. 4 Apr. 2006. Web. 16 May 2011. <http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=19311>.

Anthony Greenfield

            Religion plays a major role in Thailand, governing their everyday lives and even their political structure. Ironically, Thailand’s Buddhist population has not been faithful to their religion due to their involvement in human trafficking. Catholic missionaries attempted to resolve the issues in Thailand, but were highly unsuccessful. The Thai people have been corrupted, with no glimpse of changing, mainly caused by a lack of religious morals. Although Islam has not had a direct impact in contemporary Thailand, their social teachings may be the savior that the Thai people have been searching for. Whether directly or indirectly involved, each of these three religions teach a message that gives all people basic human rights, which should give refuge to the Thai during their struggle with human trafficking.

            Buddhism has been involved in the millions of lives that have inhabited Thailand. It has direct ties to their government and the laws the citizens must abide by. Thailand’s constitutional monarchy protects the Buddhist clergy and institutions, while also giving them special benefits and rights. Unfortunately, the society in Thailand has been rapidly falling, as seen in their participation in human trafficking. Buddhists believe that life is determined based off of one’s good actions and their bad actions, all which affects one’s karma. One who acts right and stays on the path of the Buddha will have good karma. On the other hand, one who diverts from this path will be distracted by ignorance and have bad karma (Lotus Buddhist Monastery).  It is surprising that with the amount of influence Buddhism once had on the government cannot aid Thailand in its dark moments today. 

            Catholicism has forced its way into Thailand through missionaries, who have set up Diocese and other congregations. Their message was of course to convert those who were willing to the Catholic faith. Being that only about 0.4% of the people are Catholic, the message of Catholicism has not been productively spread throughout Thailand (Society of St. Pious X). The main reason for its collapse was the amount of responsibility the Church felt it needed to take on when it established itself in 1965. They felt they needed to expand vastly across the nation of Thailand in order to aid in the need of welfare and social development issues (Society of St. Pious X). Today, Catholicism takes part in some of the spiritual and social development of the country, but their influence is limited based off of their lack of population growth.

            Muslims have not had a major impact on Thailand, although their population is increasing through this nation. The little effect Muslims have had on Thailand is surprising because their message on basic human rights is so strong. The first three human rights include the right to life, the right to the safety of life, and the respect for the chastity of women (Islam 101). These rights speak directly against all aspects of human trafficking, especially sex trafficking. If all humans had the right to life, then selling them into cheap labor is utterly wrong. Upholding the chastity of women proves that sex trafficking, whether for money or for pleasure, is disturbingly wrong. If this message could be spread more commonly around Thailand, then the Thai people would be much better off.

            These three religions share the basic teaching that all humans must be treated with equality and with respect. The act of human trafficking is a disgrace to these religions, and it is surprising that they have had no impact on the Thai people. Even the government, who has a deeply rooted tradition in Buddhism, has fallen off the moral track. Catholicism did not aid Thailand either, and although Muslims are rapidly growing, their impact is little as well. With no hope, Thailand’s corrupt ways must try and salvage whatever they can before they are engulfed in human trafficking.

Works Cited

"Ch 2: Basic Human Rights." Islam 101. Web. 16 May 2011. <http://islam101.net/human-relations-mainmenu-27/14-human-rights/31-ch-2-basic-human-rights.html>.

Chumsriphan, Father Surachai. "A Brief History Of The Catholic Church In Thailand." Society of Saint Pius X-District of Asia SSPX. Oct. 2002. Web. 16 May 2011. <http://www.sspxasia.com/Newsletters/2002/Oct-Dec/Catholic_Church_in_Thailand.htm>.

Dae Poep Sa Nim, Ji Kwang. "Home - Lotus Sangha of World Social Buddhism." Lotussangha.org - Lotus Sangha of World Social Buddhism. Web. 16 May 2011. <http://www.lotussangha.org/en/buddhism/home.html>.

"Islam in Thailand." Islam in Thailand. Web. 16 May 2011. <http://www.thaiworldview.com/bouddha/islam.htm>.

"Religion in Thailand." Body Jewelry Manufacturer and Wholesaler. Quality Body Jewelry. Web. 16 May 2011. <http://www.hellosiam.com/html/thailand/thailand-religion.htm>.

Jennifer Elovitz

In Southeast Asia, religious identity is often linked to ethnicity: Malays are Muslim; Thais are Buddhist; and Chinese are either Christian or Buddhist. With that being said, Thailand has many different influences within their country. The social teachings of Buddhism, Islam, and Catholic Social Teaching have all had an impact on shaping the moral compass of Thailand. Buddhism, which makes up the majority in Thailand, has been used to justify prostitution, and Islam’s social teachings have also aided to the already diminishing impression of women in the country. However, many organizations within Thailand make every effort they can to use the principles of Catholic Social Teaching to restore morals and order inside the country.           

The innate biases found in Buddhism have produced social conditions in Thailand that accept and encourage prostitution and sex trafficking. The third precept of Buddhism is to refrain from sexual misconduct, and prostitution is clearly a violation of this principle (The Precepts). Still, it is obvious that Buddhist views make men superior to women. Some women felt that they could gain additional merit by serving men in various ways, and prostitution could be rationalized in this context. The women are often desperate to do anything they can to lessen financial pressures on their families, purify their souls, and take one step closer to reaching nirvana. They are constantly looked down upon as dangerous objects that provoke sexual interest in men. Since they are already being judged in this manner, they feel they will receive the same criticism whether they enter into the sex industry or not. However, a woman would not feel condemned by her family when she enters into prostitution because it is known that she is using the opportunity make money for her family and even purify her karma (Buddhism and Prostitution).

It can be said that in Thailand, Muslims and Buddhists share nearly identical social manners, perspectives, formalities and practices (Islam in Thailand). Like the Buddhist view, the Islamic tradition also believes that women have the ability to provoke sexual enticement. For this reason, women must be properly covered at all times, meaning that they wear the “miqab,” a veil concealing their faces, or the “abaya,” a cloak-like cap covering their bodies (El Fadl, 251). However, their “sexual enticement” is not the real issue at hand. The real issue is that Muslim men, specifically Puritans, exercise a power over women that is so aggressive and total that it eventually leads to their complete marginalization and exclusion from public life. For example, a Muslim teaching states that a woman may not refuse her husband sex, except if she is ill. Refusing a husband sex without compelling justification is a grave sin (El Fadl, 259). This proves the intense consolidation of women under the Islamic view. Since Islam is a major religion in Thailand, it is no wonder that there are such inequalities within the country. Like Buddhism, Islam continues to influence Thailand in a negative manner as it diminishes the moral compass of the country.

While there has been an intense growth in sex trafficking, child abuse, and many other injustices in Thailand in the past few decades, there are still some groups within the country which work hard to prevent prejudices and wrongdoings of this sort. Many organizations are inspired by the principles of Catholic Social Teaching to change hatred into love in their societies. According to Catholic Social Teaching, “whatever insults human dignity, such as subhuman living conditions, arbitrary imprisonment, deportation, slavery, prostitution, the selling of women and children; as well as disgraceful working conditions, where men are treated as mere tools for profit, rather than as free and responsible persons; all these things and others of their like are infamies indeed. They poison human society, but they do more harm to those who practice them than those who suffer from the injury” (Catholic Social Teaching). The Development and Education Program for Daughters and Communities, for example, is a non-profit organization working in Thailand to prevent the trafficking of women and children into the sex industry or other exploitative child labor situations. To achieve these goals, it offers free education, vocational training and full time accommodation for young girls and boys (DEPDC Celebrates 20 Years). Catholic Social Teaching also distinguishes a type of social justice which that persons have an obligation to be active and productive participants in the life of society and that society has a duty to enable them to participate in this way (Catholic Social Teaching). By following these principles, many people in Thailand continue to strive everyday to help save the citizens from social injustices and help them realize that they have rights and duties which they must accept while still paying attention to their morals.

All in all, the morality of Thailand has been clearly influenced by the social teachings of Buddhism, Islam, and Catholic Social Teaching. Religion plays an extremely important role not only in Thailand’s society, but in all societies around the world. It has always provided the moral compass in human culture. Unfortunately, religion is not always interpreted to improve the moral and ethical mindset of a group of people. It sometimes causes discrimination and injustices, as seen with Buddhism and Islam in Thailand. However, it can still be used to guide humanity in the right, moral direction, as seen with the influence of Catholic Social Teaching in Thailand.




           

Abou, El Fadl, Khaled. The Great Theft: Wrestling Islam from the Extremists. New York, NY: HarperSanFrancisco, 2007. Print.

"Catholic Social Teaching." Major Themes Dignity. Office for Social Justice. Web. 11 May 2011. <http://www.osjspm.org/major_themes_dignity.aspx>.

"DEPDC Celebrates 20 Years." DEPDC - Help Stop Child Prostitution. DEPDC. Web. 11 May 2011. <http://www.depdc.org/>.

"Discriminatory and Arbitrary Arrest of Trafficking Victims." Sex Trafficking in Burma and Thailand. Web. 08 May 2011. <http://www.lilith-ezine.com/articles/sex/Sex-Trafficking-in-Burma-and-Thailand.html#_1_33>.

"The Five Precepts, The Eight and Ten Precepts." The Precepts. Web. 11 May 2011. <http://www.thebigview.com/buddhism/precepts.html>.

"The Influence Of Thai Buddhism on Prostitution." Buddhism and Prostitution. Web. 11 May 2011. <http://www.sexwork.com/Thailand/buddhism.html>.

"Islam in Thailand." Islam in Thailand. Imam Reza Network. Web. 11 May 2011. <http://www.imamreza.net/eng/imamreza.php?id=2022>.

"Thailand Journal of Law and Policy." Trafficking in Thailand. Web. 7 May 2011.

"Thailand Trafficking." Thailand - Coalition Against Trafficking of Women. Web. 08 May 2011. <http://www.catwinternational.org/factbook/Thailand.php>.

Tim Sakow The Influences of Religious Social Teachings

Tim Sakow

            Thailand has faced changing values and social beliefs since the 17^th century, which began when the first missionaries arrived from the West. Catholicism held much more influence when the Western missionaries first arrived, although it has now subsided in recent years. Today Islam makes up about 5-6% of all Thai beliefs in a population that exceeds sixty-seven million people, which allows some ideas to diffuse through the Thai people. Finally, Buddhism has the most moral influence over the Thai people because of its prominence in the region; about 94-93% of all Thai people are born into the beliefs of Buddhism. In Thailand Catholicism has been seen as admirable because of its values teachings and treatment of life, Islam has brought upon influences through its minorities by advancing human rights in society, although some Buddhist social teachings about women prove to be negative on the lifestyle of Thai people.

            Over a century ago King Mongkut of Thailand spoke out about Catholic teachings and the good that it brings his people. Mongkut watched his people interact with discipline and equality and said to a missionary, “What you teach them to do is admirable, but what you teach them to believe is foolish” (www.ywamthai.org).  Although, the concept of God, Divine Revelation, and Redemption of sin may not have been well understood by the Thai leader, he understood the good that was produced by the religion. Equality and human rights, regardless of education, is a teaching that all people can understand.  In 1963, Pope John XXIII announced Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth), which affirms human rights as something that cannot be violated (www.osjspm.org).  By 1975 the Catholic Office for Emergency Relief and Refugees (COERR) began to aid Thai people who were in need of health services, education, as well as skills training (www.globalhand.org).  These services and social beliefs influence others to believe in education and fair treatment, which can be seen in action within a small rural town in Thailand named Yasothon. Santitham, which resides within Yasothon, is a school which is run by donations and volunteers. Created in 1967 to help children and parents alike understand the value of education and has expanded their minds to strive to become a world citizen and eager to aid humanity (www.onecountry.org).

            The Islamic faith in Thailand is relatively small, but to tensions that were faced between the government and the Muslims allowed for more human rights to be taken in account. “Know ye that every Muslim is a brother to every other Muslim, and that you are now one brotherhood” (www.religion-spirituality.org). Muslims believe in a brotherhood where they stick up and bind tightly with other Muslims, which is shown by the small percentage of people that follow the faith in Thailand. The Thai government has been known for discriminating against the Islamic minorities, but because of that the issues had been reconsidered and reanalyzed. Public policies of Thailand have been looking to fix the problems because of the dedication and perseverance of the Thai Muslims. Regardless of setbacks that the Thai government has seen in recent years with Thai Muslims, the dedicated practices of Islamic faith have gained the support of Thai citizens and neighboring countries (www.cidcm.umd.edu).

                        In Buddhism women are often looked down upon in terms of politics, and within the past five decades politics in Thailand have been heated (www.accesstoinsight.org). Buddhist teachings do not look down upon women, but in Thailand there is still a religious link to traditions that leave men in power of politics, which allows women to be mistreated. As men continue to dominate, laws and acts that protect the rights of women and children are neglected for economic and personal benefit. Although the Buddhist social beliefs of women do allow for female monks, the Thai clergy has avoided this for a long time. The first female Thai monk was ordained in 2002, which was after the large economic decline that caused an outburst in prostitution (www.thaibuddhism.net). Even if female monks are becoming more prominent in the 21^st century, the decades of male dominance caused a decline in morality for women.

            Thailand has been influenced by the social teachings of Catholicism, Islam, and most of all Buddhism. Although Catholicism in Thailand is minimal, it has still had some positive impact on the Thai people. The perseverance and fortitude of the Islamic faith and belief in a brotherhood have allowed some human rights acts to advance in recent times. Buddhism is the most influential of the three religions because it is has the largest percentage of followers, and the influences have not been necessarily good for the nation. The sense of male dominance in clergy meant male dominance in government, which discouraged the power and rights of women. Due to the male superiority in Thailand, brothels and prostitution has been disregarded as a problem because of the physical and economic benefits the nation receives.

"Doctrines and Tenets of Islam." Religion-Spirituality.org The Bohemian Guide to Faith, World Religion. Web. 11 May 2011. <http://www.religion-spirituality.org/islam/doctrines-tenets.php>.

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"Thailand." U.S. Department of State. Web. 11 May 2011. <http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2814.htm>.

Religion Post

HI MR. WILSON!!!

Andrea Vilchez

            Since the early 1960s, Thailand has been a well known participant in the sex trafficking industry. With its capital, Bangkok, coming to be known as “Asia’s Brothel”, Thailand specializes in the trafficking of women, children, and homosexuals. The country’s development into a hotspot for sex trafficking came into part due to several social, economic, and political changes over the last 50 years. The growth of Thai sex trafficking is not only due to the economic meltdown in and around the country, but also in part to the cultural attitudes supporting the sex trade, as well as the legal policies that fail to suppress it.

            In recent years, the Asian continent and its inhabiting countries have entered into an economic crisis that has left its natives in a state of poverty. With soaring unemployment rates and lower living standards, Asian countries have found themselves turning to the sex trade in hopes of boosting their economies. Thailand, in particular, has established itself as a world leader in the industry, with high economic interests in the trade. According to a Mighty Mic article on the issue in Thailand, nearly 50% to 60% of the Thai government’s annual revenue is accredited to the country’s participation in sex trafficking. The problem first began in the mid-20^th century, with a new industrialized mentality coming into play. As cities overtook a once rural Thailand, numerous natives who’d once earned livings as farmers found themselves displaced and out of work. The Thai economy plummeted and turned to cheap labor in order to survive. Sex trafficking became the most practical solution, and women who sought to provide for their families soon found themselves being coerced into prostitution. While children and homosexuals were not involved in the early stages of sex trafficking, as Thailand continued to be engulfed in poverty, their introduction into the trade developed into a vital branch of the sex trafficking network. The sex trade boosted Thailand’s economy, and its newly developed wealth became an attracting force for the impoverished neighboring countries.

            Thailand’s economic situation was not the only factor in its growing involvement in sex trafficking. The sex trade provided the kingdom with an economic advantage over bordering countries. The revenue acquired from this industry attracted immigrants from Laos, Cambodia, and Burma. However, Thailand did not receive its foreigners with open arms and denied the immigrants and legal status. The Burmese in particular, were exposed to mistreatment by the Thai government and viewed as illegal, were denied any rights. Accompanied by the hill-tribe ethnic group of northern Thailand, the Burmese immigrants were viewed as illegally residing in the country, and thus presented with a “great risk factor” for sex trafficking (Arnold and Bertone, Addressing the Sex Trade in Thailand). Thailand’s “illegal” residents provided for the high demand in exploitative sexual services, and became a part of Thailand’s network of sex trafficking. While laws do exist against such solicitation, the men and women forced into the trade remain unprotected as the Thai government loosely enforces these laws. Inclusively, many cases of government involvement in the Thai sex trafficking have been recently discovered. Policemen and government officials have not only proved to be participants in the trade but have also been found to possess ownership of trafficked women, children, and homosexuals.

            Although sex trafficking in Thailand is opposed by many non-governmental organizations, prostitution is widely accepted in the society. Prostitution is often viewed as a part of the social fabric by Thai natives (Thailand Journal of Law and Policy). In Thai society, it is not unusual for daughters to be put in charge of providing for their families. However, in the case that they are unable to do so, their relatives often sell them into brothels in exchange for financial compensation. To a certain extent, the Thai religion also supports the country’s practice of women sex trafficking. Buddhism teaches that women are lesser than men, and are the embodiment of sexual temptation. While women are looked down upon, men are permitted to fulfill all their sexual urges, and often encouraged to do so through prostitution. Often, men request the services of younger women. Being a “valuable commodity”, youth is a primary criterion when selecting a prostitute. As the age standard decreases, children are found at a high demand in the sex trade. Homosexuality, which has also become widely accepted in Thailand, proves to be a growing trend in sex trafficking.

            Thailand’s involvement in the sex trafficking industry has faced significant growth since its beginnings early in 1965. Women, children, and homosexuals—either Thai natives or immigrants into the country—have found themselves coerced into prostitution over the last half-century, making Thailand one of the largest sex trafficking industries around the globe. While Asia’s economic situation played a major part in the growth of sex trafficking in Thailand, political and social factors have also provided for the country’s expanding sex trade. Thailand’s lack of enforcement of the laws against sex trafficking and the government’s corrupt participation in the trade, along with the societal views on prostitution have all provided for the growth in Thai sex trafficking.

Arnold, Christina, and Andrea M. Bertone. "Addressing the Sex Trade in Thailand." Prevent Human Trafficking. Prevent Human Trafficking, 2007. Web. 7 May 2011. http://preventhumantrafficking.org/storage/article-downloads/AddressingSexTrade.pdf.

 

Crawford, Christa Foster. "Cultural, Economic, and Legal Factors Underlying Trafficking in Thailand and Their Impact on Women and Girls from Burma." Cardozo Journal of Law & Gender Summer (2006). Thailand Journal of Law and Policy. Thailand Law Forum. Web. 6 May 2011. http://www.thailawforum.com/articles/Trafficking-in-Thailand%20.html.

 

"Sex Trafficking in Thailand." Mighty Mic 2011. Mighty Mic, 2010. Web. 6 May 2011. http://www.mightymicucla.org/thailand/.