Thailand

Is selling sex criminalised?
Yes selling sex is illegal and associated activities are also criminalised, like soliciting in public place. Sex workers working in establishments also criminalised for "associating with another person in a prostitution establishment for the benefit of prostitution of that person or of another person". It is also illegal to advertise sexual services (yourself or another person).
Is buying sex criminalised?
No
Is organising/managing criminalised?
Yes - procuring, pimping and managing sex work businesses or establishments are illegal. In reality, "entertainment places" are licensed and although sex work forbidden it is known that it takes place. The 1966 law that regulates entertainment venues uses language like "service partners" or "bath service providers", euphemistically alluding to sexual services.
Is there mandatory HIV/STI testing?
There is no mandatory testing permitted by law in Thailand. But as a result of the policies of bar managers and NGOs there is sometimes de facto mandatory testing but not sanctioned in law.
Is there mandatory registration?
No
Is sex work recognised as work?
No
Is sex work decriminalised with limited regulation?
No
Sources/further reading
Extra info
The Thai government is currently reviewing the sex work laws in Thailand and an online public consultation was undertaken in 2021. No formal proposals have yet been published on how the law should be reformed.
Contact
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