Rational of the Study 1 Supang Chantavanich Bangkok: Instit As a center of economic prosperity in Southeast Asia, Thailand has received trafficked persons from poorer neighboring countries, China and beyond into many sectors, including suxual industry. This is in addition to internal trafficking for sexual exploitation.
They may add to or even be a fraction of the estimated , to two million prostitutes currently working in Thailand. A modern form of slavery: trafficking of Burmese They are moved from one brothel to another, and often end up being sent back to Burma after a year or two to recruit their own successors. This is despite the recently estimated reduction in number due to the economic crisis and stringent law enforcement. They are focal points for trade, commerce, and services.
Besides, they have turned into sources of, and transit points for trafficking in persons for prostitution. Border areas often become neutral zones, where law and order may be lax, and where entrepreneurs catering to the itinerant populations lead to such places becoming heavens for activities such as illicit gambling and sex.
Some border areas that have been known sites for gambling have recently established casinos with hotel and shopping complexes. Increasing trade, the construction of more buildings, and infrastructures adds to the ease of travelers and other types of mobile people reaching remote border points and spending time there.
They attract migrant labors from other parts of Thailand and neighboring countries. They are also an important tourist destination, particularly for those from neighboring Malaysia. The number of arrivals from Malaysia is consistently high during the past several years. Other important mobile groups are traders and truck drivers. On any Friday evening or Saturday morning, thousand of Malaysians cross over to Thailand and spend their weekend in the city of Hatyai, or such border town as Sadao and Sungai Kolok before returning on Sunday evening or Monday morning.
