Tourism operators in Pattaya support the tourism and sports minister's plan to provide proper welfare for businesses there if they register in the tax system, as these efforts could help reduce crime and bribery.
Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong plans to expand welfare benefits for independent workers, including drivers of ride-hailing services, tour guides, online content creators and sex workers, folding them into the tax system.
Damrongkiat Pinijkarn, secretary of the Pattaya Entertainment Association, said sex work persists in Pattaya, although the number of tourists who visit the city for this purpose has declined compared with decades ago.
Mr Damrongkiat said including sex workers in the tax system will allow for proper regulation of this occupation.
For instance, the authorities can enforce regular medical check-ups, particularly exams for sexually transmitted diseases for sex workers, which would create a safer environment for customers.
He said in the past, there were some cases where sex workers were forced to reduce their service prices, or were not paid by tourists.
These workers could not file a complaint with the police because they would be at risk of being convicted for prostitution.
Offering sex workers protection would enable them to file complaints with the authorities if their rights are violated, said Mr Damrongkiat.
Registering these businesses can also prevent bribes paid to officials for conducting sex services, while the government can earn more revenue through tax collection, he said.
"I believe operators and sex workers are willing to be registered. The number of crimes related to this industry would eventually decline," said Mr Damrongkiat.
"Our social norms have changed as people are more open about discussing these underground issues, seen from the popularity of the OnlyFans app by adult content performers, as well as support for legal casinos in Thailand."
However, he said the regulations need to strictly ensure prohibition of human trafficking and child prostitution by setting a minimum age for sex workers.
A year ago, a German documentary by Deutsche Welle reported that two German tourists were arrested for buying services from an underage sex worker in Pattaya.
Mr Damrongkiat said it may be better for Thailand to start decriminalising sex workers by offering them welfare as the first step, rather than immediately legalising the occupation.
However, as Thai society is dominated by conservative Buddhists, such a decision might cause a backlash, he said.
Mr Damrongkiat said the government should cover other occupations in the night tourism sector as well, such as dancers, hosts and hostesses who work in nightclubs.
