Thailand has promised to eradicate¹ its notorious sex tourism industry as it attempts to reinvent itself as a female-friendly travel destination.

 

为重塑泰国适宜女性游客的旅游胜地形象，泰国政府承诺将终止臭名昭著的性旅游业。

 

Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, the country's first female tourism minister, made the pledge following a series of police raids on Thai brothels last month, amid concerns over human trafficking and underage sex workers.

 

"We want Thailand to be about quality tourism. We want the sex industry gone," Ms Kobkarn told Reuters.

 

"Tourists don't come to Thailand for such a thing. They come here for our beautiful culture."

 

Prostitution has been illegal in the south-east Asian country since 1960, but the industry employs more than 120,000 sex workers, with authorities frequently accused of turning a blind eye.

 

In an attempt to diversify² the industry, Thailand is starting a "month for women travellers" campaign in August, in which female-only pink immigration lanes and parking zones will be set up in international airports.

 

Other travel sectors³ including wedding and honeymoon⁴ tourism, and eco-tourism, are also being pursued.

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