Women, Migration and Prostitution in Thailand

In Thailand, the response to poverty is often the migration of women from rural areas into cities for the purposes of prostitution. This article explores the economic, political, social and environmental factors that together can explain the reasons behind this observed pattern. In recent decades, Thailand has shown remarkable economic growth, but has concentrated its development efforts on industry and tourism, while for the most part, ignoring the agricultural sector. This has led to an unequal distribution of wealth between rural and urban areas, with many farmers facing loss of farmland, large debts, and limited rural employment opportunities. Members of those farmers’ families, specifically women, in turn migrate to the city to find work. This work is often prostitution. One solution, pursued by NGOs and advocates, involves the government considering women’s rights in the processes of development. Female prostitution and migration for its purpose are still ongoing issues in Thailand.