If you had to make a choice between extreme poverty or prostitution, which would you choose? Which is the lesser of 2 evils?
Even in 2024, there are 100,000’s of Thai’s living well below the poverty line.
Many still are lucky to eat 1 time per day. Extreme poverty.
Many have no education, job skills or even jobs nearby that they can do.
There are still homes with no running water and electricity.
When faced with these dire situations, many young women move to the city’s and get involved in prostitution.
Either working in a gogo bar as a topless dancer, or being a freelancer working out of the many beer gardens, many resort to selling themselves for money.
It is a well known and documented fact that there may be over 100,000+ women involved.
Everyone has their own opinion on this and I am not saying anything is right or wrong.
What I am saying is that even in 2024, people are living in dire financial times with little to no money coming in.
The average per capita income in rural Isaan is less than 70,000 thb per year or 5,800 thb per month. That works out to less than 200 thb per day. Not enough to support a family for sure.
Many women choose prostitution and sacrifice themselves to bring in money for their families.
It is their personal decision, not yours or mine.
This is yet another dilemma facing women in Thailand.
Until you walk in their shoes and understand their situation, you should not cast any judgement.
As unfortunate as it is, it is part of life that many have to accept to survive.