Sex workers get pre-election boost
Candidates pledge to push for decriminalisation and labour rights
February 1, 2026
Political parties have voiced support for Thai sex workers ahead of the Feb 8 poll, vowing more protection and dignity under the law in a country where prostitution remains a crime.
The Service Workers in Group (Swing) Foundation recently held a forum, "Sex (Worker) and the City", to discuss policies relating to sex work.
Representatives from the Pheu Thai, People's, Movement, Thai Sang Thai and Democrat parties joined the discussion at the Cowboy 2 bar in Soi Cowboy, the well-known night entertainment district.
The discussion focused on how politics can take a lead role in improving sex workers' lives. The group also urged the next government to commit to their cause through tangible policies.
Criminalised industry
Despite the scale of the sex industry in Thailand, sex work remains criminalised under the Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act.
In October 2023, sex work was classified as a regulatory offence to promote decriminalisation, as published in the Royal Gazette. Under the new regulation, only officials from the Social Development and Human Security Ministry can impose fines.
Yet sex workers are often exploited by officials through extortion and bribes as the legal status of the job remains grey. Issues of unfair payment, overwork and abuse from both employers and clients have often gone unaddressed.
Pheu Thai Party
Patdarasm Thongsaluaykorn, a Pheu Thai Party list candidate, said there is no denying that sex workers contribute significantly to the economy, both on a national and a household level.
"No matter how Thailand tries to deny the existence of this profession, the country needs to admit that many families' breadwinners are doing this job," she said.
Ms Patdarasm said sex workers should be protected under the Entertainment Places Act so they can be considered formal workers.
"Decriminalisation is not the end but only the first step... regardless of who they are or what they do," she said. "This is not about morality, but social structure and inequality."
Her party would also ensure inclusive and equal access to social welfare under labour laws.
People's Party
Natthaya Boonphakdi, a People's Party list candidate, said the issue is a matter of human rights due to the discrimination sex workers face, as criminalisation means they are left out of social and legal protection.
She said decriminalisation is the primary condition to improve rights.
Sex work is part of the party's "state reform" pillars to promote transparency and abolish corruption, she said. The party vowed to push for an Anti-Discrimination Bill post-election.
"While it may take time for sex work to be decriminalised, inclusive social welfare can be offered immediately," she said.
Movement Party
Kannavee Suebsaeng, the Movement Party leader and PM candidate, supports decriminalisation because "sex work is work".
"What right does the state have to decide whether individuals can use their own bodies to earn a living?" he asked.
He said criminalising sex workers fosters corruption and discrimination.
He vowed to push for recognition under the International Labour Organisation's Recommendation No.204 to help workers transition to the formal economy.
Mr Kannavee also proposed reforming labour laws to ensure equal protection for all types of workers. "As long as the law makes them wrong, it will be used as a tool to violate their rights," he said.
Thai Sang Thai Party
Best Wongpairojkul, Thai Sang Thai deputy secretary-general, said sex work "should not remain in the shadows" and urged decriminalisation.
However, he questioned whether a sex work history would affect future employment.
"We need to work together on raising awareness, regardless of who is in government," he added.
Democrat Party
Issara Sunthornwat, the Democrat deputy leader, said that while his party is still debating decriminalisation, it agrees that the current laws fail to reduce crime and only create grey areas for corruption.
"The problem is not the sex workers themselves, but the system that facilitates corruption and exploitation," he said.
He said the party has a policy to protect informal workers through better contracts and vowed to tackle human trafficking in the sex industry.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/po ... tion-boost
Thai sex workers and the election
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Gaybutton
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Re: Thai sex workers and the election
Legalizing prostitution? Maybe, but
"It was much more fun the other way."
- Helen Hayes (Ada Quonsett). 'Airport'
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Thai Political Parties Across Political Spectrum Rally Behind Sex Workers Rights Ahead of February 8th Election
By Adam Judd
February 2, 2026
With Thailand’s general election just days away on February 8, several major political parties across the political spectrum have publicly pledged greater legal protections and dignity for sex workers, acknowledging the industry’s significant, yet often overlooked or even denied role in the national economy.
The commitments came during a recent forum hosted by the Service Workers in Group (SWING) Foundation, held appropriately at Cowboy 2 bar in Bangkok’s iconic Soi Cowboy entertainment district. Representatives from the Pheu Thai Party, People’s Party, Movement Party, Thai Sang Thai Party, and Democrat Party attended the event titled “Sex (Worker) and the City,” where they discussed reforms to address the vulnerabilities faced by those in the profession.In Thailand, prostitution remains technically illegal under the Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act, leaving sex workers exposed to exploitation, discrimination, and limited access to social services. Despite this, it is one of Thailand’s worst kept secrets and the industry is a major contributor to both household incomes and the broader tourism-driven economy.
Some areas, especially Pattaya, Bangkok, and Patong, are despite how much some authorities would like to deny it, home of thousands of sex workers and related establishments operating in a grey area legally. This causes an uneasy relationship between current law enforcement and authorities, often publicly denying the industry exists at all, causing growing criticism from politicians on all sides of the spectrum says tries to bury the issue versus resolve it. Patdarasm Thongsaluaykorn, a list candidate for the Pheu Thai Party, explained the undeniable economic impact of sex work. “There is no denying that sex workers contribute significantly to the economy, both on a national and a household level,” she said. “No matter how Thailand tries to deny the existence of this profession, claim it doesn’t exist, etc., the country needs to admit that many families’ breadwinners are doing this job.”She advocated for including sex workers under the Entertainment Places Act, which would recognize them as formal workers entitled to labor protections and equal access to social welfare. Patdarasm described decriminalization as “not the end but only the first step,” stressing that the issue is rooted in social inequality rather than morality.
Natthaya Boonphakdi, a list candidate from the People’s Party, framed the matter as a fundamental human rights concern. She explained how criminalization excludes sex workers from essential legal and social safeguards, leaving them vulnerable to abuse and without recourse. It also provides the opportunity for corruption within various government branches and encourages bribes and extortion, she said. The forum reflects a growing momentum among political parties from left to right to address long-standing calls for reform in the sector, especially as Thailand continues to grapple with its complex and at times uncomfortable relationship to sex tourism. While full decriminalization remains a debated topic, with some prominent parties like Bhumjaithai, who is centric conservative, notably absent from the recent Bangkok debate (although they haven’t made a clear decision one way or the other), the pre-election pledges signal a potential shift toward policies that prioritize worker safety, formal recognition, and reduced stigma.As voters head to the polls, the inclusion of sex workers’ rights in party platforms is part of broader discussions on labor rights, gender equality, and economic realities in one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic societies. Whether these promises translate into legislative action post-election remains to be seen.
But where do workers and business owners in this industry stand? Prior polls and work done in this field by SWING and other organizations shows mixed feedback. While many sex workers would like to be legally protected and eligible for medical care and benefits, as well as be able to file police reports against abusive clients without fear of issues themselves, some fear over regulation and taxation, with too many rules, and attempts to zone or control a massive estimated billions of Baht industry heavily responsible for tourism, whether tourism officials want to admit it or not, that has traditionally shown it can’t be easily controlled due to its size and scope in Thailand.It will be an issue to watch no matter what new government takes form.
https://tpnnational.com/2026/02/02/thai ... -election/
"It was much more fun the other way."
- Helen Hayes (Ada Quonsett). 'Airport'
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Thai Political Parties Across Political Spectrum Rally Behind Sex Workers Rights Ahead of February 8th Election
By Adam Judd
February 2, 2026
With Thailand’s general election just days away on February 8, several major political parties across the political spectrum have publicly pledged greater legal protections and dignity for sex workers, acknowledging the industry’s significant, yet often overlooked or even denied role in the national economy.
The commitments came during a recent forum hosted by the Service Workers in Group (SWING) Foundation, held appropriately at Cowboy 2 bar in Bangkok’s iconic Soi Cowboy entertainment district. Representatives from the Pheu Thai Party, People’s Party, Movement Party, Thai Sang Thai Party, and Democrat Party attended the event titled “Sex (Worker) and the City,” where they discussed reforms to address the vulnerabilities faced by those in the profession.In Thailand, prostitution remains technically illegal under the Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act, leaving sex workers exposed to exploitation, discrimination, and limited access to social services. Despite this, it is one of Thailand’s worst kept secrets and the industry is a major contributor to both household incomes and the broader tourism-driven economy.
Some areas, especially Pattaya, Bangkok, and Patong, are despite how much some authorities would like to deny it, home of thousands of sex workers and related establishments operating in a grey area legally. This causes an uneasy relationship between current law enforcement and authorities, often publicly denying the industry exists at all, causing growing criticism from politicians on all sides of the spectrum says tries to bury the issue versus resolve it. Patdarasm Thongsaluaykorn, a list candidate for the Pheu Thai Party, explained the undeniable economic impact of sex work. “There is no denying that sex workers contribute significantly to the economy, both on a national and a household level,” she said. “No matter how Thailand tries to deny the existence of this profession, claim it doesn’t exist, etc., the country needs to admit that many families’ breadwinners are doing this job.”She advocated for including sex workers under the Entertainment Places Act, which would recognize them as formal workers entitled to labor protections and equal access to social welfare. Patdarasm described decriminalization as “not the end but only the first step,” stressing that the issue is rooted in social inequality rather than morality.
Natthaya Boonphakdi, a list candidate from the People’s Party, framed the matter as a fundamental human rights concern. She explained how criminalization excludes sex workers from essential legal and social safeguards, leaving them vulnerable to abuse and without recourse. It also provides the opportunity for corruption within various government branches and encourages bribes and extortion, she said. The forum reflects a growing momentum among political parties from left to right to address long-standing calls for reform in the sector, especially as Thailand continues to grapple with its complex and at times uncomfortable relationship to sex tourism. While full decriminalization remains a debated topic, with some prominent parties like Bhumjaithai, who is centric conservative, notably absent from the recent Bangkok debate (although they haven’t made a clear decision one way or the other), the pre-election pledges signal a potential shift toward policies that prioritize worker safety, formal recognition, and reduced stigma.As voters head to the polls, the inclusion of sex workers’ rights in party platforms is part of broader discussions on labor rights, gender equality, and economic realities in one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic societies. Whether these promises translate into legislative action post-election remains to be seen.
But where do workers and business owners in this industry stand? Prior polls and work done in this field by SWING and other organizations shows mixed feedback. While many sex workers would like to be legally protected and eligible for medical care and benefits, as well as be able to file police reports against abusive clients without fear of issues themselves, some fear over regulation and taxation, with too many rules, and attempts to zone or control a massive estimated billions of Baht industry heavily responsible for tourism, whether tourism officials want to admit it or not, that has traditionally shown it can’t be easily controlled due to its size and scope in Thailand.It will be an issue to watch no matter what new government takes form.
https://tpnnational.com/2026/02/02/thai ... -election/
Re: Thai sex workers and the election
Unless they legalize prostitution AND issue work permits to any Lao or Cambodian boy who wants one, the people I know will not benefit.
In fact, if they legalize prostitution, the Thais in the industry might get themselves organized and have a trade association to complain about all the foreign workers.
In fact, if they legalize prostitution, the Thais in the industry might get themselves organized and have a trade association to complain about all the foreign workers.
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Gaybutton
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Re: Thai sex workers and the election
Maybe it would benefit them just a little. As it stands now if they are caught they are subject to arrest and deportation both for prostitution and working without a permit. If prostitution is legalized, then would they stand to be arrested for anything other than working without a permit? Most of them are not on drugs - as far as I know.
I think the question is purely academic, though. I think whether prostitution is legalized or not, it will still be an "everything changes, but nothing changes". I doubt it would make one iota of difference as to the number of Lao, Cambodian, and Myanmar boys illegally working in the bars.
I think legalization will happen, so we'll know one way or the other soon enough.
I also think if prostitution is legalized, it might attract more Thai boys working in the bars - not as their primary source of income, but moonlighting in hopes of some extra money. I don't see much chance of that, but who knows?
Re: Thai sex workers and the election
I honestly see this as more of a benefit to the businesses that employ prostitutes in Thailand - than it would actually benefit the sex workers themselves. And to Jun's point, this could have a downside for immigrant sex workers in the long-run.
On the positive side, it could increase the number of sex workers because of the legal footing they'd have which is a hell of a lot better direction for places like Pattaya than turning it into a "family oriented" playground like the Wisconsin Dells...555
On the positive side, it could increase the number of sex workers because of the legal footing they'd have which is a hell of a lot better direction for places like Pattaya than turning it into a "family oriented" playground like the Wisconsin Dells...555