THE LEGAL CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT OF SEX WORK IN KINGDOM OF THAILAND

Abstract

The legal recognition of sex workers in Thailand developed in three stages: before the 1960s, operating brothels and employing prostitutes was not illegal, but had to be licensed and registered under the law. From the 1960s to 1996, the suppression of prostitution, the licensing and registration system for prostitution businesses was halted, with brothels declared illegal and some related activities criminalized. From 1996 to the present, to prevent and suppress prostitution, related laws became more stringent, increasing the number of offenses involving brothels, prostitutes, and those involved with them. Studies show that Thai law aims to make prostitution disappear. This makes the legal regime for sex workers in Thailand a system of canceling legality or delegalization.