Sex trafficking in Thailand

Sex trafficking in Thailand is human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation and slavery that occurs in the Kingdom of Thailand. Thailand is a country of origin, destination, and transit for sex trafficking.^[1] The sexual exploitation of children in Thailand is a problem. In Thailand, close to 40,000 children under the age of 16 are believed to be in the sex trade, working in clubs, bars, and brothels.^[2]

Sex trafficking victims in the country are from all ethnic groups in Thailand and foreigners. Children,^[3] rural people in poverty and or with little education, and migrants in Thailand are vulnerable.^[4][5] Thai citizens, primarily women and girls, have been sex trafficked into other countries in Asia^[6][7][8][9] and different continents.^[10][11][12] Many are forced into prostitution and or marriage and unfree labour,^[12][13] as well as forced surrogacy.^[14] Sex trafficked victims are threatened and experience physical and psychological trauma. They contract sexually transmitted diseases from rapes, and abuse and malnutrition are common.^[15] There has been an increase in cybersex trafficking in 21st century Thailand. The global spread of high-speed internet and increasing computer, tablet, and smartphone ownership has fueled online sex abuse and virtual prostitution.^[16] Some victims are coerced to be in pornographic films and live streams paid by clients worldwide.^[3]

The government of Thailand has been criticized for its response to sex trafficking. The identification of sex trafficked persons is limited and there is a low rate of prosecutions and convictions of perpetrators. Corruption is widespread^[1][17] and some officials, police, and the military have been complicit.^[18][4][19]