Recently, it was reported that the Thailand government is considering extending welfare protections to freelance groups, including sex workers. The welfare protection referred to here is similar to the Social Security Fund (SSF) registered by employees of departmental agencies, but only if the registrant has paid income tax.
Thailand's Minister of Tourism and Sports, Mr. Solawong, revealed that the ministry is currently in discussions with various agencies to establish a welfare system to further protect the interests of freelance groups, including tour guides, ride-hailing drivers, internet content creators and sex workers. Freelancers will then be able to receive medical and other benefits as long as they declare their income and meet their tax obligations.
Solawong said the measure was proposed in consultation with representatives of various social and labour advocacy groups in Thailand, with representatives of the Thailand Service Workers Group Foundation (Swing) revealing that many sex workers were seeking social benefits and legal protection, while Solawong said many sex workers were reluctant to disclose their identities due to the nature of their work. At the same time, the Thailand Tour Guide Association also expressed strong support for this, and said that this group has a great contribution to the national economy.
According to Thai media reports, the Thailand government is planning to introduce the bill at the upcoming parliamentary session. In addition, prominent figures in the Patong area of Phuket Province also expressed support for the legalization of sex workers, saying that the move would strengthen the protection of the safety and health of sex workers and customers, and the president of the Patong Entertainment Business Association (PEBA) also highlighted the contradictions in Thailand's current position on the well-known sex industry.