News : Thai woman (59) arrested in huge raid:
This is the boss of the human trafficking gang
“The Thai woman is said to have illegally smuggled women and transsexuals from her homeland into Germany”
How-to go?
(as a masseuse from Thailand)
For Thai people, particularly Thai masseuses, there are about three main ways to work abroad, which include:
- Ministry of Labor & Ministry of Social Development and Human Security
- Spa or Shop that they work in Thailand
- Agency
For legal employment abroad, there are main channels through various organizations and the responsible ministries as follows:
When going to work abroad through a massage parlor where one is already employed, there are two main ways: the parlor either acts as an agent or has an agent who directly contacts the parlor. The parlor receives a commission from the agent for exporting labor, which can involve both legal and illegal work. If the process is legal, it will go through the procedures of the Department of Labour, but there might be additional costs (if done directly through the Department of Labour, there will be no or minimal costs compared to using an agent). On the other hand, illegal methods might involve entering the country with a tourist visa and then working illegally in a massage parlor. In some cases, massage parlors may have branches abroad, where they train staff in Thailand first and then send the masseuses to work in their overseas branches.
A percentage is deducted from the massage shop as commission, approximately 30% per month, which will depend on the employment contract. If you renew the contract, you will pay a new commission.
News : Raid in Hamburg – Customs searches massage parlors
“They dream of a better life and are exploited and often treated like slaves. Thai women who are smuggled into Germany and forced to work illegally in massage parlors and are sometimes forced into prostitution. After receiving information about such machinations, customs carried out raids on Thursday.”
Being deceived into working or using massage as a front for selling services is not just a matter of word-of-mouth without evidence. There are many news reports that have exposed human trafficking operations. However, what is interesting is that this information is never presented in Thailand. These news reports only exist in the countries where the incidents occur; they are never brought to light in Thailand. This might be one of the reasons why news and warnings don’t reach people in remote areas. The language barrier also limits access to critical information, as Thai people who cannot communicate in other languages may not have access to the reality that they should be aware of before deciding to work abroad.
What is Guilt?
Vocabulary from this VDO
“Gratitude” (Noun) = grateful > the feeling or quality of being grateful.
- deep / eternal gratitude
- sent them a present to show/ express gratitude
- take this as token of my gratitude for all your help
“Filial” (Adjective) of son or daughter
Filial piety
the idea that parents, grandparents,, and older people should be trated with honour and respect.
- filial duty/ respect/affection
- at least Jamie recognised some filial bond
Guilt is ingrained since childhood, leading to sending money back to support parents.
“In Thai society, ‘respect’ entails honouring those in higher positions, adhering to societal rules, and showing reverence to elders and others in the community. It also involves speaking politely and behaving courteously towards others in all situations. This quality is valued and promoted in Thai education and communities.”
Ideas from this VDO:
- Thai people have the mindset that “having children early means they will grow up in time to take care of you.”
- The first paycheck should be given to those who raised you.
- All the expenses that parents have spent on you must be repaid when you grow up.
- Whether you give a little or a lot, it depends on what you have—give a little if you have little, give a lot if you have more.
- Some families don’t pressure their children, but society makes them feel pressured.
- Filial piety is seen as a duty, not a choice.
- Conflict between generation to raise a child
- The new generation of Thai people has more savings to take care of themselves than the older generation.
- “we’re not in the same generation”
- The social structure in the past was not conducive to self-care in old age.
- The social context regarding filial piety is driven by fear.
- When people are afraid, they seek something to hold onto for a sense of security.
Sex worker topic in Thailand culture
Before coming to study in the UK, I was very interested in this topic. I enjoyed listening to people discuss it because I see it as an important social change in Thai society that should be addressed. There should be significant restructuring in society as well. As I mentioned before, most foreigners have a negative perception of Thai women or women from Southeast Asia, especially regarding the sex industry.
Since this video is in Thai, I will summarize the main points of the video in English to make it easier to understand.
- Men create the demand and supply.
- Thai society is one where one person earns money to support 3-4 people in a family.
- Families are in debt, which forces them to work to pay off the debt.
- Working abroad is seen as an escape or a survival option because the minimum wage in Thailand is not enough, but there’s no guarantee that the work abroad will be good or bad. However, there are no other choices available.
- In some European countries, prostitution is legal, but buying sex is illegal, leading to hidden sex work in other service businesses.
- Human trafficking processes are quite complex. If someone chooses to work abroad, it often results in more debt due to the various fees claimed by agencies that promise to help them secure illegal work.
- Poverty is the culprit. Poverty and obligations force people into certain situations.
- There is limited access to education.
- The country’s structure suppresses the poor and elevates the rich.
- Some hope to start a family, believing that marrying a foreigner will bring financial stability.
- People often go abroad for work based on recommendations from those close to them, which is often a false dream.
- Because prostitution is legal in other countries, human trafficking arises since it’s illegal in Thailand, but Thailand has the labor that foreigners demand.
- The gap between the poor and those in remote areas prevents access to information and warnings.
- Thai massage is a positive image that tourists like.
- People are often deceived by being told, “You will work in a Thai massage parlor.”
- The country’s main income comes from tourism, and many tourists come to buy services at tourist spots and entertainment venues.
- When there are no tourists, workers have to move within the country seasonally, but when there are no customers, they have to go abroad, such as to Singapore, Hong Kong, or Malaysia.
- People are willing to invest in moving abroad to increase their income and live comfortably.
- Parents feel pressured when they see others going abroad and doing well without knowing what kind of work they are doing.
- Often, the eldest sibling sacrifices for the family to give the younger ones a chance at education.
- This topic is not widely discussed in Thai society because it goes against traditions and customs.
- The structure of “gender inequality” pressures women into using their bodies as a means of exchange.
Beginning idea
The idea for this project started when I was working on the EPP project. At first, I had no idea what I wanted to do. Then, one day, I had the opportunity to take a walk in London. I noticed a lot of signs related to Thailand, mostly for Thai restaurants. But what surprised me the most and something I didn’t expect to see in such large numbers were Thai massage parlors. There were so many that it made me question why there were so many. I wanted to learn about doing business abroad, visas, finding workers, and much more.
To give some background, when I was in Thailand, I was one of those people who really loved Thai massage. I would go to a massage parlor 1-2 times a month. However, I had also heard and knew that some foreigners view Thai masseuses as working in the sex industry. Some foreigners even choose to visit Thailand specifically to explore that experience. So, I started researching various related information, and here is all the information I managed to gather in the initial stage.