Pattaya is a popular destination for so-called “sex tourists.” Does that make Pattaya such a bad place, and does it make “sex tourists” seedy or undesirable people?
I was reading a somewhat long-winded article discussing the reasons why people are compelled to travel for sex, and in particular, why they travel to Thailand, especially Pattaya for sex.
This wasn’t a critical article, it was more of an in-depth social study intent on finding the factors that contribute to a person’s desire or need to travel to foreign destinations for sex or company.
Pattaya’s reputation goes before it. Foreign tabloid newspapers often proclaim that Pattaya is a playground for perverts and dirty old men and that human trafficking is an everyday occurrence. There’s more on that in this article—Love Hate Pattaya.
Older men who have a young Thai woman on their arm are often labeled as “dirty old men,” and all single young foreign men in Pattaya are sex tourists and, as such, must have some serious shortcomings or even psychological problems.
What is a Sex Tourist?
Anyone who travels abroad for a short period, with the intention of having sexual relationships/encounters with locals is termed a “sex tourist”.
Who are the sex tourists?
You might be surprised to know that sex tourists are not all seedy perverts who are lacking in morals or are just unable to attract a partner in their home country. Sex tourists can be male or female, young or old, rich or poor, attractive or unattractive, introverted or extroverted.
They are usually from developed countries, especially Western countries. For obvious reasons, most sex tourists who visit Pattaya are male, hence this is more about male sex tourists.
Why do People Travel For Sex
There is no common denominator or a specific reason why people choose to travel abroad for sex, there doesn’t appear to be a stereotypical sex tourist, everybody has their own reason and their own goals. See the examples below.
- A divorced or widowed elderly man still has sexual urges, he has an eye for beautiful young women, unfortunately for him, the younger women in his native country are much less inclined to be attracted to him because of social and cultural stigma.
- Unmet sexual desires or practices: many people have sexual desires that might be too embarrassing to request from a partner or casual lover in one’s home country.
- Physical or psychological problems: we’re not all born perfect, and it’s tough for people with physical defects or psychological problems to attract a mate.
- Hedonistic: pure pleasure is the name of the game, and sexual fantasy and fulfillment are foremost for the hedonist.
- Sex without attachment or strings: just sex, no exchanging of telephone numbers, no need for false promises, and no broken hearts, that’s all some people want.
- Search for a wife or partner.
- Preference for Asian women.
It’s More Than Just Sex
One thing that the study established is, that most sex tourists don’t travel purely for sex. They want more than cold “business-like sex”; they want to escape from the mundane routine of their everyday existence, to go about their business openly without fear of embarrassment or shame; they want companionship and freedom.
Why Do Sex Tourists Visit Pattaya?
The simple answer is “everything mentioned above”, Pattaya is commonly referred to as the “4 S’s”, meaning “sun, sea, sand, and sex”.
Pattaya has thousands of available girls, a completely different culture, and pleasant weather. It is certainly a world apart from the mundaneness of the West. The girls are fun rather than business-like.
As mentioned above, “It’s more than sex,” and if you ask yourself the question, “Why do people travel for sex?” the answers can be found in Pattaya. According to the sex tourists interviewed for the sake of the study, Thai Bar Girls offered much more than just sex, they offered companionship and warmth.
Sex Tourism Facts.
- Sex tourism is one of the fastest-growing branches of tourism in many third-world and developing countries.
- Sex tourism has been blamed for the spread of sexual diseases.
- Due to regulations and local laws, sex tourism is largely considered to be illegal.
- Most people believe it is immoral.
- Human trafficking and child prostitution are, rightly or wrongly thought to be spinoffs of the sex tourism industry.
- There are now a number of companies specializing in “sex holidays”.
- Sex tourists can be anyone.
- Sexual relations between foreigners and Thai women usually result from meetings in a bar.
- For most visitors to Thailand, sex is only a sideline.
Sex Tourist Summary.
‘Sex Tourist’ is a rather sweeping title and is used somewhat cynically. Sex and sexual conquests are the goal of the minority. The majority of sex tourists could probably be termed “romance tourists” or “friendship tourists.”
Most foreign men living in Pattaya with a Thai wife or partner were most likely viewed as sex tourists beforehand. To cynical onlookers, they are still looked upon as sex tourists simply because they are in Pattaya with a Thai woman, who must obviously be a bar girl.