ScenesofBangkok

12 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: Ladyboy entertainers check themselves in the mirror in front of the Cockatoo bar in the Soi Cowboy red light district in Bangkok. In Thai, the ladyboys are called kathoey. Many work in the entertainment and night life sectors of the Thai economy. Prostitution in Thailand is illegal, although in practice it is tolerated and partly regulated. Prostitution is practiced openly throughout the country. The number of prostitutes is difficult to determine, estimates vary widely. Since the Vietnam War, Thailand has gained international notoriety among travelers from many countries as a sex tourism destination. One estimate published in 2003 placed the trade at US$ 4.3 billion per year or about three percent of the Thai economy. It has been suggested that at least 10% of tourist dollars may be spent on the sex trade. According to a 2001 report by the World Health Organisation: "There are between 150,000 and 200,000 sex workers (in Thailand)." PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ

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Filename: NanaSoiCowboy0112023.jpg
Copyright: © Jack Kurtz
Image Size: 4540x3027 / 12.8MB; 011213 Kathoey Ladyboy Nana Nana Entertainment Nana Entertainment District Patpong Prostitution Sex Tourism Sex Trade Soi Cowboy Tourism Transgendered
Contained in galleries: 2013 Pictures of the Year, Thailand (All)

12 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: Ladyboy entertainers check themselves in the mirror in front of the Cockatoo bar in the Soi Cowboy red light district in Bangkok. In Thai, the ladyboys are called kathoey. Many work in the entertainment and night life sectors of the Thai economy. Prostitution in Thailand is illegal, although in practice it is tolerated and partly regulated. Prostitution is practiced openly throughout the country. The number of prostitutes is difficult to determine, estimates vary widely. Since the Vietnam War, Thailand has gained international notoriety among travelers from many countries as a sex tourism destination. One estimate published in 2003 placed the trade at US$ 4.3 billion per year or about three percent of the Thai economy. It has been suggested that at least 10% of tourist dollars may be spent on the sex trade. According to a 2001 report by the World Health Organisation: "There are between 150,000 and 200,000 sex workers (in Thailand)." PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ