Transcript of the above video:

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing legalization of prostitution in Thailand. Now there may be those who would say, "Well Ben, you have done videos before where you have discussed that this isn't necessarily illegal in the same way that it is in the West." Well that is true. As we have discussed in other videos, as prostitution is defined under Thai Law presently, there is a sort of an "open and notorious element", what I sometimes refer to as the "promiscuity element" wherein if people are soliciting or pandering to prostitution in sort of an open and notorious, promiscuous manner, then they can be cited and that can be a criminal offense in Thailand. But as we have discussed, I think Thailand to this point has taken a very mature approach to how to deal with a very vexing social issue and they have sort of said "look, what happens behind closed doors, amongst consenting adults is not something we are interested in pursuing." And that is really the way that it fundamentally, practically works on a day-to-day basis with regard to the issue of prostitution here in the Kingdom.

Now that said, there may be change in the wind. Quoting directly from a recent article in the Bangkok Post, that is bangkokpost.com, the article is titled: Srettha backs gender equality, sex worker bills. And I urge those who are watching this video, a lot of information in that article, I urge you to go check it out for yourself to see what's going on in there. Quoting directly: "The third Bill would legalize prostitution by amending the 1996 Act on illegal prostitution suppression and prevention." So again it would legalize presumably the practice. It would say that it is not illegal or they would just repeal it. I don't know exactly how they would do it. Again how it's set up in this point with the promiscuity element being what it is again “openly and notoriously pandering, engaging in or soliciting prostitution” could be a criminal offense in Thailand. Again what happens behind closed doors amongst consenting adults, not something Thai Law enforcement is overly concerned about. But presumably if this was to change as noted in that article, there would be a substantial number of benefits for folks that find themselves in that industry, not limited to things involving minimum wage, certain minimum working condition requirements, health benefits etc.

So I can definitely see the arguments in favour of legalization merely from just sort of a basic human dignity standpoint. Whether or not this will ultimately be promulgated by Parliament and be passed as a law here in the Kingdom remains to be seen. We will certainly keep you updated on this channel as that situation evolves.