Warning this blog entry contains sexual references and sordid information gathered from the books “Only 13”, and “Sex Slaves, the trafficking of women in South East Asia”.
These two cities are comparably different yet so alike. They both have the capacity to make you stop and stare in wonder at the awe inspiring sights and marvel at the natural wonders…
Chiang Mai:
Chiang Mai is an ancient city. Inside Chiang Mai's city gates are more than 30 temples dating back to 1296 AD, in a combination of Burmese, Sri Lankan and Lanna Thai styles, decorated with beautiful wood carvings, Naga staircases, leonine and angelic guardians, umbrellas and pagodas covered in gold.
Each Thai temple consists of two parts: The Phutthawat and the Sangha-wat.
The Phutthawat is the area which is dedicated to Buddha. It generally contains several buildings:
- Chedi - also known as a stupa it is mostly seen in the form of a gold bell-shaped tower.
- Prang - the Thai version of Khmer temple towers.
- Ubosot or Bot - the Ordination Hall and most sacred area of a Wat.
- Wihan - it is the assembly hall where monks and believers congregate.
- Mondop - A Mondop is a specific square or cruciform based building.
- Ho trai - the Temple Library or Scriptures Depository.
- Sala - an open pavilion providing shade and a place to rest.
- Sala kan prian - a large, open hall where people can hear sermons or receive religious education.
- Ho rakang - this bell tower is used for waking the monks and to announce the morning and evening ceremonies.
The Sanghawat contains the living quarters of the monks. It also lies within the walls surrounding the whole temple compound. It houses most of the functional buildings such the kitchen and the sanitary buildings.
Bec spent several days exploring and investigating these elaborate temples. Some places felt very special and She was able to sit quietly while closely observing locals, monks, their behaviors, and rituals.
Pattaya:
Pattaya is home to hundreds of Thapae bars, (Low ceiling, open front bars filled with breathtakingly gorgeous prostitutes trafficked from South East Asia), much to the liking of desperate old, fat, bald men & the company that produces Viagra.
To say Pattaya resembles a sausage fest would be an understatement. There are roughly nine men to each woman here. Thousands of men come to Pattaya each and every day in search of ‘love’ or for a ‘short time’.
Compared with any other country, Thailand provides value for money in every sense. For a night with a Thai prostitute you can expect to pay between 1000 - 2000 Bhat $50 - $100 NZD. After witnessing this disturbing scene it is hard to believe that prostitution & pornography is actually banned in Thailand, go figure! When you choose a girl, you simply pay a ‘bar fine’ & take her back to your hotel, police bribery is rife especially in Pattaya.
Pattaya is home to hundreds of Thapae bars, (Low ceiling, open front bars filled with breathtakingly gorgeous prostitutes trafficked from South East Asia), much to the liking of desperate old, fat, bald men & the company that produces Viagra.
To say Pattaya resembles a sausage fest would be an understatement. There are roughly nine men to each woman here. Thousands of men come to Pattaya each and every day in search of ‘love’ or for a ‘short time’.
Compared with any other country, Thailand provides value for money in every sense. For a night with a Thai prostitute you can expect to pay between 1000 - 2000 Bhat $50 - $100 NZD. After witnessing this disturbing scene it is hard to believe that prostitution & pornography is actually banned in Thailand, go figure! When you choose a girl, you simply pay a ‘bar fine’ & take her back to your hotel, police bribery is rife especially in Pattaya.
On our arrival to our hotel we witness countless couples fitting this obvious description in the lobby, the bar, and lounging by the pool. On a tour of our room the concierge showed us our mini bar equipped with alcohol, crisps, insect repellent and condoms. Sweet, we are sorted.
Wandering through the streets, the shopping malls, or sitting at a restaurant is an education in itself. Here you can watch sex tourists and their prostitutes enjoying ‘the girl friend experience’. Walking hand in hand throughout the mall the girl points out items of interest and the tourist opens his wallet. They can either be seen having a drink, grabbing a bite to eat, or at the local supermarket stocking up on supplies for the night. On the odd occasion you can see both parties enjoying themselves but the majority of the time the prostitutes seem to be elsewhere staring off into the distance.
What can we do?
Well apart from paying 30,000 prostitutes 1000 baht per day for the rest of their lives, nothing!
Most of these women are illiterate and cannot read or write. Most did not attend school past the age of eight as school is not free in Thailand and the fees increase as the children get older.
Many girls as young as twelve are forced into prostitution by their own families as they are so poor and debt ridden. Some are groomed for prositution from childhood and others are physically coered. These young girls become the family’s main source of income. A virgin can be sold from as little as 10,000 – 20,000 baht depending on their age, beauty, and whiteness. A drought can result in an influx of virgins as families need to sell their daughters in order to eat. Basically, in poverty stricken areas of Thailand a girl is born and raised to be a prostitute while a son receives all the benefits of a western child. While the girls are out selling their bodies and sending their income home for their family the boys are playing with the latest toys and gadgets and receiving an education at the expense of his sister. Unless these girls can raise their families out of poverty history will repeat again and again.
Many girls as young as twelve are forced into prostitution by their own families as they are so poor and debt ridden. Some are groomed for prositution from childhood and others are physically coered. These young girls become the family’s main source of income. A virgin can be sold from as little as 10,000 – 20,000 baht depending on their age, beauty, and whiteness. A drought can result in an influx of virgins as families need to sell their daughters in order to eat. Basically, in poverty stricken areas of Thailand a girl is born and raised to be a prostitute while a son receives all the benefits of a western child. While the girls are out selling their bodies and sending their income home for their family the boys are playing with the latest toys and gadgets and receiving an education at the expense of his sister. Unless these girls can raise their families out of poverty history will repeat again and again.
South East Asia, Thai society and their government are still operating in the Stone Age and choose to ignore the truth. It makes us sick. We leave Pattaya with a feeling of hopelessness in our hearts.
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