Comments on: The Village’s Newest Prostitute http://www.myjunglelife.com/2009/08/the-villages-newest-prostitute.html A writer, restaurateur and jungle mama blogging about life on a remote Thai island Mon, 26 Jul 2010 23:57:17 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Jungle Girl from My Jungle Life | Thailand Musings http://www.myjunglelife.com/2009/08/the-villages-newest-prostitute.html/comment-page-1#comment-138 Jungle Girl from My Jungle Life | Thailand Musings Thu, 01 Apr 2010 04:18:28 +0000 http://www.myjunglelife.com/2009/08/the-villages-newest-prostitute.html#comment-138 [...] were Joe and Egger get a Photo from Burma about my Burmese refugee staff’s children, and The Village’s Newest Prostitute, which created quite a stir so I guess sex always sells.. One of my best posts I had to take down [...] [...] were Joe and Egger get a Photo from Burma about my Burmese refugee staff’s children, and The Village’s Newest Prostitute, which created quite a stir so I guess sex always sells.. One of my best posts I had to take down [...]

]]> By: violetflame http://www.myjunglelife.com/2009/08/the-villages-newest-prostitute.html/comment-page-1#comment-52 violetflame Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:27:19 +0000 http://www.myjunglelife.com/2009/08/the-villages-newest-prostitute.html#comment-52 Jungle Girl, an excellent and very sad descriptive account of your observations! Enjoying the blog!! Jungle Girl, an excellent and very sad descriptive account of your observations! Enjoying the blog!!

]]> By: Jungle Girl http://www.myjunglelife.com/2009/08/the-villages-newest-prostitute.html/comment-page-1#comment-50 Jungle Girl Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:42:44 +0000 http://www.myjunglelife.com/2009/08/the-villages-newest-prostitute.html#comment-50 Thanks for your comment Charles, and you're absolutely right. For those that sniff at bar girls, how far is prostitution from being a trophy wife of a wealthy man really? The lines get very blurred don't they? Which makes it a hell of a lot easier not to judge. And as Martyn pointed out, unsupported by a welfare state how many more of us would be marrying for money or selling our bodies in one way or another at some point? Thanks for your comment Charles, and you're absolutely right. For those that sniff at bar girls, how far is prostitution from being a trophy wife of a wealthy man really? The lines get very blurred don't they? Which makes it a hell of a lot easier not to judge. And as Martyn pointed out, unsupported by a welfare state how many more of us would be marrying for money or selling our bodies in one way or another at some point?

]]> By: Charles Frith http://www.myjunglelife.com/2009/08/the-villages-newest-prostitute.html/comment-page-1#comment-49 Charles Frith Mon, 28 Sep 2009 03:55:30 +0000 http://www.myjunglelife.com/2009/08/the-villages-newest-prostitute.html#comment-49 A brilliant post although there is a viewpoint that suggests any woman in the world stuck in a relationship for reasons of fiscal security is perhaps in a transactional sexual relationship or prostitution if you wish. <br /><br />It's difficult and complex and most certainly built on context but either way a most respected post. I'm sorry about your bereavement. A brilliant post although there is a viewpoint that suggests any woman in the world stuck in a relationship for reasons of fiscal security is perhaps in a transactional sexual relationship or prostitution if you wish.

It's difficult and complex and most certainly built on context but either way a most respected post. I'm sorry about your bereavement.

]]> By: Jungle Girl http://www.myjunglelife.com/2009/08/the-villages-newest-prostitute.html/comment-page-1#comment-42 Jungle Girl Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:48:33 +0000 http://www.myjunglelife.com/2009/08/the-villages-newest-prostitute.html#comment-42 Thanks for all the comments guys. The update is the karaoke here is closed for now, so most of the girls have left, here's hoping to do something better.... the girl I wrote about is still around and seems to be getting by. This post stirred up quite a lot of resentment amongst the Thai community some of whom felt I was bad mouthing Thailand, I apologise for any misunderstangings, I write what I see, and I try to make the more gritty posts like this one as compassionate as possible. Many thanks everybody.<br /><br />And Martyn you are spot on, a lot of westerners' initial reaction is prostitute=bad girl. At least in THailand there is more compassion usually towards needs must. Without our cushy welfare state I think it would be a different story for so many people, and you just never know what you might have to do...until you've walked a day in her shoes etc.<br /><br />That said, Catherine is right this girl is not desperate just trying to make a quick buck. Thailand is so consumer orientated and for some young women the choice to prostitute themselves whether as a hi-so fun girl, or a low-rent bar girl, is a commercial one unfortunately. Here's hoping this girl learns to value her body and self esteem a little more than the latest phone. Thanks for all the comments guys. The update is the karaoke here is closed for now, so most of the girls have left, here's hoping to do something better…. the girl I wrote about is still around and seems to be getting by. This post stirred up quite a lot of resentment amongst the Thai community some of whom felt I was bad mouthing Thailand, I apologise for any misunderstangings, I write what I see, and I try to make the more gritty posts like this one as compassionate as possible. Many thanks everybody.

And Martyn you are spot on, a lot of westerners' initial reaction is prostitute=bad girl. At least in THailand there is more compassion usually towards needs must. Without our cushy welfare state I think it would be a different story for so many people, and you just never know what you might have to do…until you've walked a day in her shoes etc.

That said, Catherine is right this girl is not desperate just trying to make a quick buck. Thailand is so consumer orientated and for some young women the choice to prostitute themselves whether as a hi-so fun girl, or a low-rent bar girl, is a commercial one unfortunately. Here's hoping this girl learns to value her body and self esteem a little more than the latest phone.

]]> By: Martyn http://www.myjunglelife.com/2009/08/the-villages-newest-prostitute.html/comment-page-1#comment-41 Martyn Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:07:45 +0000 http://www.myjunglelife.com/2009/08/the-villages-newest-prostitute.html#comment-41 Catherine 'Here's hoping she bails under the pressure. Way before she starts taking drugs to dull it out.,<br /><br />I think you hit the nail bang on the head, in fact you may have driven it straight through the floorboards. Catherine 'Here's hoping she bails under the pressure. Way before she starts taking drugs to dull it out.,

I think you hit the nail bang on the head, in fact you may have driven it straight through the floorboards.

]]> By: Catherine http://www.myjunglelife.com/2009/08/the-villages-newest-prostitute.html/comment-page-1#comment-40 Catherine Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:03:44 +0000 http://www.myjunglelife.com/2009/08/the-villages-newest-prostitute.html#comment-40 What a sobering story. <br /><br />It's an awful business to be in, so I wonder why she'd risk losing the respect of friends and family. I mean, she doesn't have small children to care for, right? From what I've read, it's the common reason for young Thai girls going into prostitution. So, it's not like she has severly limited choices. <br /><br />Here's hoping she bails under the pressure. Way before she starts taking drugs to dull it out. What a sobering story.

It's an awful business to be in, so I wonder why she'd risk losing the respect of friends and family. I mean, she doesn't have small children to care for, right? From what I've read, it's the common reason for young Thai girls going into prostitution. So, it's not like she has severly limited choices.

Here's hoping she bails under the pressure. Way before she starts taking drugs to dull it out.

]]> By: Martyn http://www.myjunglelife.com/2009/08/the-villages-newest-prostitute.html/comment-page-1#comment-39 Martyn Sat, 29 Aug 2009 21:03:44 +0000 http://www.myjunglelife.com/2009/08/the-villages-newest-prostitute.html#comment-39 Prostitution in Thailand really is a not so merry go round and as one jumps off another climbs on. It's very easy for us westerners to throw stones at glass brothels with no understanding of the real reasons of why and where. I think your post goes a long way to explaining that. <br /><br />I have always said...if you took away the single parent child benefit payments in the UK then before long there would be a hooker in every bar and on every street corner....I believe that such payments in Thailand would stop all the fun of the fair, but it ain't going to happen. <br /><br />I must agree with John and say that I am surprised the girl is floating her boat in her home village and not somewhere far away. Poppy's ancient concubine theory is interesting and rings loud and true. Great post. Best wishes to you and I hope the girl pulls through. Prostitution in Thailand really is a not so merry go round and as one jumps off another climbs on. It's very easy for us westerners to throw stones at glass brothels with no understanding of the real reasons of why and where. I think your post goes a long way to explaining that.

I have always said…if you took away the single parent child benefit payments in the UK then before long there would be a hooker in every bar and on every street corner….I believe that such payments in Thailand would stop all the fun of the fair, but it ain't going to happen.

I must agree with John and say that I am surprised the girl is floating her boat in her home village and not somewhere far away. Poppy's ancient concubine theory is interesting and rings loud and true. Great post. Best wishes to you and I hope the girl pulls through.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.myjunglelife.com/2009/08/the-villages-newest-prostitute.html/comment-page-1#comment-33 Anonymous Sat, 22 Aug 2009 05:29:25 +0000 http://www.myjunglelife.com/2009/08/the-villages-newest-prostitute.html#comment-33 I am sure those people who turn up their noses at the working girls would be happy to share the profits. In other words, envy is part of it. I am sure those people who turn up their noses at the working girls would be happy to share the profits. In other words, envy is part of it.

]]> By: Jungle Girl http://www.myjunglelife.com/2009/08/the-villages-newest-prostitute.html/comment-page-1#comment-32 Jungle Girl Sat, 22 Aug 2009 03:35:31 +0000 http://www.myjunglelife.com/2009/08/the-villages-newest-prostitute.html#comment-32 Thanks Jill. And Poppy for further clarification about the mier nois. <br /><br />And anonymous, yes you're right gik can be even more casual than a girlfriend outside your marriage.<br /><br />Fran Cerec, thanks for your comment - I really don't have enough experience with male prostitution to write an observation, maybe its another post all together? I would be interested to hear your insights.<br /><br />And John, yes, great point furthering the pragmatism - "the hows and whys don't come into it" if the girls are able to provide a life for their entire family, they aren't judged for what they're doing as they might be in europe - it's accepted that its a means to an end. And when the 'end' is keeping a family from starvation and life on the poverty line then yes the girls can't afford to have comfortable western morals, those are indeed a luxury. Thanks Jill. And Poppy for further clarification about the mier nois.

And anonymous, yes you're right gik can be even more casual than a girlfriend outside your marriage.

Fran Cerec, thanks for your comment – I really don't have enough experience with male prostitution to write an observation, maybe its another post all together? I would be interested to hear your insights.

And John, yes, great point furthering the pragmatism – "the hows and whys don't come into it" if the girls are able to provide a life for their entire family, they aren't judged for what they're doing as they might be in europe – it's accepted that its a means to an end. And when the 'end' is keeping a family from starvation and life on the poverty line then yes the girls can't afford to have comfortable western morals, those are indeed a luxury.

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