Abstract
Many facts show that Thailand is worldwide known for its sexual tourism and unfortunately this kind of tourism has an economical interest. According to the Taipei Times (2003) prostitution has been illegal in Thailand since 1928. However, it plays a major role both in the Thai society and the Thai economy: "The industry is estimated to account for an estimated 3 percent of Thailand's economy, or about US$4.3 billion a year", "Thailand holds debate on legalizing prostitution" (2003, p. 5). Sexual tourism is a phenomenon that occurs worldwide.
According to Diotallevi (1995) from the WTO (World Tourism Organization), sex tourism refers to trips made by tourists with the intention of exploiting local residents at the destination in terms of compensated sexual relationships. The United Nations condemns this type of tourism due to negative health, social and cultural repercussion on host and destination countries alike. Furthermore sex tourism is often linked not only with prostitution but also with child abuse and human trafficking. According to World Vision Child Sex Tourism Prevention Project (2007), international profit-making sex trade business concerns two million children, in most cases against their will. he majority of these children are under the age of sixteen.
