Thailand declares to abolish 'sex capital' Pattaya

Leaders of Thailand's 'sex capital' Pattaya have pledged to turn the city into a family-friendly 'Happy Zone'.

Pole dancers prepare to pole dance at a bar in Pattaya. Photo: Mirror

Thailand's tourism industry leaders have pledged to clean up "sin city" Pattaya, also known as the "sex capital of the world", Mirror reported yesterday.

"I want people to see that we are not what they say. We do not allow prostitution in entertainment venues,"Pakkaratorn Teianchai, governor of Chon Buri province, where the city is locatedPattaya, announced earlier this month.

THowever, prostitution in Pattaya does not appear to have abated. Thai police and tourism officials have a long way to go to fulfill their pledge to eradicate prostitution.

It is estimated that one million men visit Pattaya's red light district each year, while nearly 20% of women in the city are involved in the sex trade.

Thai police patrol in Pattaya. Photo: Mirror

A 2014 UNAIDS report said there were 120,000 female sex workers in Pattaya. It is believed that the real number is double that and that not all women who earn money from sex are full-time sex workers.

According to VNE