Thailand is the most famous Buddhist country in Southeast Asia, with over 90% of the population adhering to Theravada Buddhism (a branch of Buddhism). Buddhism in Thailand is not only a religion but also a deeply ingrained philosophy of life.
Temples and stupas are scattered throughout the country, and the Thai greeting involves a gesture of placing the hands together in a prayer-like fashion, all of which highlight the profound impact of Buddhism on social life.
Logically, Buddhism, which aims for purity of mind and minimal desires, should restrict the expression of sexual desires.
However, Thailand is known for its liberal sexual attitudes: red-light districts attract global tourists, the transgender culture has become a unique hallmark, and sexual minorities have received unprecedented tolerance. This seemingly contradictory phenomenon has achieved a wonderful balance in Thai society, showcasing the blend of Buddhist nature and sexual nature.
The Open Sexual Concepts of Religion and Historical Origins
1. The Tolerance of Buddhist Teachings
Theravada Buddhism emphasizes "self-liberation" and focuses on personal cultivation and self-liberation rather than interfering with others' choices of behavior. This philosophy has influenced the cultural concepts of Thai society: an individual's sexual orientation and lifestyle, as long as they do not affect others, are not subject to moral judgment. Buddhism's tolerance of life also extends to the acceptance of sexual minorities, such as the Kathoey community and sex workers.
Buddhism also advocates "form is emptiness, emptiness is form," not completely denying the existence of material and desires but advocating seeing through their nature.
There is a doctrine in Theravada Buddhism: as long as sex workers are working for family livelihood or donating to temples, prostitution is not considered shameful, and Thais regard work as a means of obtaining material compensation through the body.
2. The Historical Development of the Sex Industry: From Feudal Times to Modernity
The history of Thailand's sex industry can be traced back to feudal times. During the reign of King Rama IV, due to the social structure of serfdom, the status of Thai women was very low. King Rama IV was also committed to improving the legal system, aiming to convert more people to Buddhism. But how could they believe when they couldn't even feed themselves?
It is rumored that in an unknown alley, four sisters without livelihood skills provided sexual services in exchange for necessities. Before long, due to the industry's negative impact on morals and the loud transactions disturbing the peace, neighbors began to move away from the alley.
Later, because the alley was near a freight dock and had a large flow of people, the income was very substantial. Between survival and morality, more and more people chose to move to this alley. Thailand's "red-light district" took root and grew in this place. The law enforcement agency set up by King Rama IV, the Patrol Division, was intended to stabilize social order, but it was the enforcement of the Patrol Division that gradually legalized the prostitution industry.
On one side were the impoverished masses struggling to survive, and on the other was the supreme royal authority. The head of the Patrol Division had to issue various certifications to balance the relationship between the two sides, making the red-light district "legal." The sex workers were very cooperative, paying protection money, work permits, and licenses, fully supporting the work of the chief. Thus, Thailand's sex industry thrived on the edge of Buddhist nature.
3. Pattaya: From a Fishing Village to a "Sex Capital"
After World War II, Thailand became a rest base for American soldiers. The increased demand for sexual services from the U.S. military directly promoted the development of the sex industry, especially in places like Bangkok and Pattaya.
In the 1950s, Thailand's economy was underdeveloped, and Pattaya was an inconspicuous fishing village. However, the Vietnam War changed everything. At that time, the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization, to which Thailand belonged, firmly stood with the United States during the Cold War, but the condition was that Thailand must serve as a place of leisure and entertainment for U.S. troops stationed in Thailand.
Thus, Thailand became a rear base for the leisure and entertainment of U.S. troops. Then came the problem: there were over 40,000 U.S. military officers stationed in Thailand, all with physical needs. How to satisfy them?
Fortunately, it was easy to find sex service venues around military bases. American soldiers, with dollars in hand, sought outlets for their needs. Who would refuse money? More and more "sex" workers came to the area and took root.
Although Thai law made prostitution illegal in 1960, this special period was not strictly enforced.
Thus, the physiological needs of the stationed troops spurred the prosperity of the local sex industry. Gradually, Pattaya developed from a place serving the entertainment needs of U.S. troops into a globally renowned "sex capital."
Pattaya's sex industry formed a complete industrial chain: from nightclubs and bars to ladyboy shows and massage parlors, various forms of services provided comprehensive experiences for tourists. The rise of this industry not only attracted a large number of international tourists but also drove the rapid development of Thailand's tourism and service industries.
Transgender Culture: From Tradition to Modernity
"Kathoey" is known as "ladyboy" in Thailand, a cultural phenomenon with a long history. As early as the 16th century, the influence of the Mughal Empire led to a special phenomenon in South Asia—men underwent surgery to become "eunuchs" or "hermaphrodites" for career advancement or service to nobility. This tradition, with the cultural exchange, spread to Thailand and was preserved under the inclusiveness of Buddhism.
In the 1960s, with the arrival of American soldiers during the Vietnam War, to cater to the curiosity of American soldiers about this exotic Thai culture and to share in the imbalanced supply and demand of sex transactions, some men eager to make money dressed as women to earn money from the soldiers. Thus, savvy businessmen spotted the opportunity and a large number of ladyboys were born.
Later, with various oral medications available, some men chose to change their physical characteristics by taking estrogen and other hormones to become "Kathoey" for a living.
They could work in the service industry or earn money through ladyboy shows, and it is said that the most popular ladyboy in Pattaya can earn up to 1 million RMB per year.
Today, transgender culture has become an important hallmark of Thailand, especially in tourist cities like Bangkok and Pattaya, where ladyboy performances are almost a must-see for tourists.
Despite this, Thai society's acceptance of ladyboys is not entirely unconditional. Legally, the gender of ladyboys is still registered as male, and they face certain challenges in career choices and daily life. However, Buddhism's philosophy of "equality for all beings" has led society to show more tolerance and acceptance towards the ladyboy community.
The Harmonious Contradiction of Buddhist Nature and Sexual Nature
1. Tolerance and Double Standards
In Thai society, the coexistence of "Buddhist nature" and "sexual nature" is evident everywhere. For example, women wearing short skirts are not allowed to enter Buddhist temples, and many tourists are stopped at the gates each year. However, outside the temple walls, one can see sexual worship sculptures of reproductive organs. The red-light district is an important landmark that attracts tourists, yet the legalization of the sex industry is strictly restricted. The ascetic philosophy of Buddhism contrasts sharply with the flourishing sex industry in Thailand.
2. Gender Equality and Free Choice
Thailand is one of the countries in Asia with the highest level of gender equality. The participation of women in the workplace and the acceptance of transgender and homosexual communities reflect the inclusiveness of society. For example, legally, ladyboys are male, but in everyday life, the opposite is true, and the polite term in Thai is "transgender miss," which does not directly question but also does not mainstream. This atmosphere of free choice aligns with Buddhist philosophy, which emphasizes self-cultivation and non-interference in others' affairs.
3. Economic Drive and Social Reality
Although the sex industry is legally banned in Thailand, it has become an important part of the Thai economy. It not only supports the development of the tourism industry but also provides employment opportunities for the lower social strata. In 1957, there were about 20,000 sex workers in Thailand, which increased to 400,000 seven years later, and reached a peak of one million in the 1980s. This data speaks volumes.
For many impoverished families, working in the sex industry is a necessary means of survival, a phenomenon that has been socially accepted under the tolerance of Buddhist culture.
Thailand's sexual concepts are also influenced by Buddhism: homosexuality and transgender are not very good, but it's fate, and there's no need to cling to the current physical body. It's more important to focus on Buddhism and accumulate virtue for the next life.
This philosophy allows Thais to be more detached about "sex," focusing less on appearances and more on the significance of self-cultivation.
Conclusion: A Unique Balance Amid Contradictions
Thailand is a country full of contradictions yet harmonious. The devout Buddhist faith and open sexual concepts, historical heritage, and economic reality together shape this unique cultural system. Here, Buddhist nature and sexual nature are not opposites but have reached a wonderful balance through tolerance and understanding.
This harmonious contradiction makes Thailand a charming tourist destination. Whether it's the solemn Buddhist temples, the bustling red-light districts, or the exquisite ladyboy shows, they all allow people to experience Thailand's unique charm in the blend of "Buddhist nature" and "sexual nature."
This is precisely the cultural root that attracts global attention to Thailand and the reason for its unique position worldwide.
