Documentary - sex trade

[sunsnow]

Haven't seen this myself yet.

But a documentary about Thailand and sex industry.

http://www.movingimages.bc.ca/catalogue/Cultdiverse/bangkokgirl.html

And shhh, available as a torrent:

http://torrentspy.com/torrent/749898/

From some persons personal view on elsewhere:

"The earliest backpackers were hardly interested in contacting Thai girls because they could not discuss with them for hours and hours about the relevance of being.

Then a big cloud drew up and darkened South East Asia. The American engagement in Vietnam.

The rise of Pattaya began with the landing of American bombers at nearby Uta Pao airport, returning from their deployment over Vietnam. The pilots needed "Rest and Recreation" (R&R). Pattaya was the nearest target, and those were heydays for the small community it was then.

But other places were concurring. Especially Taiwan wooed the tired soldiers, because Taiwan and the USA had a common enemy: The Reds.

But when the war came to its end, Taiwan closed all R&R facilities. Even the traditional teahouses, frequented by Japanese customers were torn down. The reason for this measure? National pride.

For the economy of Taiwan this was only a short time loss. Taiwan soon inundated the world with legal IBM PC-clones.

While Taiwan turned to high technology, Thailand accepted the continuation of R&R practices. For Pattaya it meant business as usual. The party could go on and is still feted today."

:evil:

[sunsnow]

The Thailand Project

http://students.uwsp.edu/jquin065/dream/index2.htm

"The Thailand Project creates hope for the children of Thailand; a hope fostered by education, the key to permanently locking the door to a future of prostitution and abuse.

Through a partnership between the University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point (UWSP) and the Development Education Program for Daughters and Community (DEPDC) we will make a difference. The Thailand project is multi-faceted, consisting of an international education program, a traveling photography exhibition, and a series of speaking engagements featuring two-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee Sompop Jantraka."

Interview from the photographer, includes some big mistakes (like the ratio of national economy coming from sex trade).

http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061015/APC04/610150647/1890/APClife

And the most important link:

http://www.depdc.org/

Page available in many languages.

[MikeAussieGuy]

I had a quick flick through the sites. Looks like I have something interesting to keep me awake until the F1 starts at 3am.

Thanks mate.

[condotown]

That is just anti Thai propaganda.

"You can read about it and watch documentaries all you want, but until you're actually there and you're offered children, you can't grasp how horrendous it is," said Quinnell, explaining that his being male, white, solo and in Thailand often added up to the assumption that he was a so-called "sex tourist."

This dude, Joseph Quinnell, makes up bullshit stories and ties child prostitution to the entire bar scene in Thailand because he is looking for funds to continue his own "research" and acts of "good will".

He is 29 yrs. old and hasn't graduated from university yet.

US perceptions of Thailand get so twisted and tainted by losers like him.

Know-nothing people like this guy irk me.

[badman1970]

I had a quick flick through the sites. Looks like I have something interesting to keep me awake until the F1 starts at 3am.

Thanks mate.

there way more to thailand that sex industry,true though when travel people think you go for that side of thailand

[DocDre]

This film (Bangkok Girl) seems to be a micro-vision of the "situation" here in BKK, he films it himself with a hand cam, he interviews "Pla" and only ONE expat english teacher (customer) at "check point charlie's" of the now defunked Clinton Plaza. Totally niave view and painfully narrow scope make this almost painful to watch. Pla swears to not be on the take (not turning tricks) but Jordan Clark finds out differently as the story line starts endearing you to Pla, I won't give away the ending but it seems almost formulated, I stress seems, but there is no real way to quantify the truth. CBC Canada, purchased the rights, and you can download it as a torrent from torrentbox.com. The film makers from my hometown so I was curious to see what he filmed. A much more interesting film dealing with the same subject matter and done with an equally low budjet is:

Born into Brothels,

a ten times better watch and much more compelling. This can also be downloaded from torrentbox.com

[MikeAussieGuy]

I had a quick flick through the sites. Looks like I have something interesting to keep me awake until the F1 starts at 3am.

Thanks mate.

there way more to thailand that sex industry,true though when travel people think you go for that side of thailand

Not sure what your getting at. I dont have to be quoted with a reply there is more to Thailand than the sex industry. I have been here 5 years, I think I should know. In any case I couldnt understand your point.

[sunsnow]

That is just anti Thai propaganda.

"You can read about it and watch documentaries all you want, but until you're actually there and you're offered children, you can't grasp how horrendous it is," said Quinnell, explaining that his being male, white, solo and in Thailand often added up to the assumption that he was a so-called "sex tourist."

This dude, Joseph Quinnell, makes up bullshit stories and ties child prostitution to the entire bar scene in Thailand because he is looking for funds to continue his own "research" and acts of "good will".

He is 29 yrs. old and hasn't graduated from university yet.

I noticed that too, that's the reason I put the "disclaimer" (that his wordings were somewhat biased, and very exagerated). But putting his weird wordings aside, more important in this "story" is the story that the pictures tell, not what this person says in some interview (clearly he was choosing very provokative words, maybe for his personal gain...as said: he had very wrong statistics OR the interviewer had put wrong notes down..).

So, my focus would be that it would be very interesting to see that photo gallery if I were living were it is shown. And definetly the NGO site is worth getting to know about. They have volunteer opportunities too, to work with the kids, unfortunatly (but quite reasonably) the shortest time to volunteer would be 6 months up in north.

DocDre: My opinion too. It is very low budget doc, hand held cam doc, "me and my documentary film" style. And limited research in the form of people interviewed on camera. So thank you for your recommendation for maybe better, more thorough docu. As you said too, this docu which I watched finally, is a "microcosm", and as such gives only "one story". It has some value as such but less than something different type.Lowers its usability for sure. Not any "BBC" quality there.

I wonder if there is more through documentaries on this subject, human trade in SE Asia. Sure there are but hmm, not something that is widely distributed online because of the low interest compared to some Hollywood films.

BUT there are lots of books on it...So, if anyone has read any books on human trafficing in SE Asia, do you have recommendations?

Waiting airplane in BKK I flipped thru one of books that is similar to this film, "Hello My name Is Lon", which felt like semi-documentary on one girl and then supporting general facts between the story. (That book was too much for me even to flip thru...Too horrific). So, any better (academic) quality books on this subject?

:roll:

[sunsnow]

then again, what can onlookers do about it?...people just don't HAVE to condone it i guess...

Nope, dont have to condone. For example the site quoted here, is infact dealing with the aftermath AND working before the bad things are let to happen: trying to prevent children to end up in human trade.

Donations and help are always appreciated when it comes to Non-Governmental Agencies, especially when the governments are teethless and/or unwilling to do anything about the matters or their actions are too little, too late. There are no quick fixes but sometimes it seems that governments and their "power arms" are just not doing anything that really does something, prevents, or cuts down, instead maybe even having deep down their own hands in the pockets that feed the beast that is called human trade.

Have u known that trade of humans (and resulting modern slavery) is one of the biggest illegal trades, third biggest illegal business in fact. (ref: UN report 2003) There is now more slaves in the world that there ever were during the dark age of "legal" slavery (that was I think culminated in the shiping of slaves from Africa to the "Brave New World"...)

http://www.antislavery.org/index.htm

http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0901/p16s01-wogi.html

Update to DocDre: Thanks for the tip for the movie! Oh my, it has won even an Acadamy Award! (Original movie tip was posted because of the obvious connection to Thailand)

[eagle]

That is just anti Thai propaganda.

"You can read about it and watch documentaries all you want, but until you're actually there and you're offered children, you can't grasp how horrendous it is," said Quinnell, explaining that his being male, white, solo and in Thailand often added up to the assumption that he was a so-called "sex tourist."

This dude, Joseph Quinnell, makes up bullshit stories and ties child prostitution to the entire bar scene in Thailand because he is looking for funds to continue his own "research" and acts of "good will".

He is 29 yrs. old and hasn't graduated from university yet.

US perceptions of Thailand get so twisted and tainted by losers like him.

Know-nothing people like this guy irk me.

I dont think you need a graduated from the university to understand that prostitution is messed up, its pretty obvious that you are trying to defend yourself buying sex, so its not about age and if you havent graduated yet, its about moral...

you don;t even understand what he said. He wasn't condoning sex trade just saying the guy was not accurate. If ya want to hack someone at least get it right :roll:

[sunsnow]

I dont think you need a graduated from the university to understand that prostitution is messed up, its pretty obvious that you are trying to defend yourself buying sex, so its not about age and if you havent graduated yet, its about moral...

you don;t even understand what he said. He wasn't condoning sex trade just saying the guy was not accurate. If ya want to hack someone at least get it right :roll:

BUT NOW, please people, don't start and "mess up" this thread with name calling OR let this go to name calling! Thank you all.

Peace out.

If anyone has read any (quasi)academic book on the subject. Please feel free to post here.

Thank you.

[thaibel]

We all know that sextrade is an issue in Asia (especially the Philippines and Thailand). Although it changed somewhat from Asia to Eastern Europe and the Russian states after the USSR felt apart (Belarus, Ukraine .....).

We should make a difference between let say the normal sex industry where girls r working that want to do it (they want to earn a lot of money or because they come from poor families and or kind of forced to do it to support their families).

I know it isn't completely right. Giving a chance to everyone to get a fair education could solve a lot here. Not that the sex industry would disappear (it excist everywhere in the world), but it would give a lot of more oppotunities to some girls (especially those who do it out of poverty).

Another aspect is the part where childeren are involved. U can't deny it stills excist in Asia. Although it's more hidden and those from western countries who'r interested (!!!!) have now their own sites on internet (mostly covered like harmless sites) to communicate.

Sexual intercourse with a child on whatever level is a crime for me and for everyone who is a well thinking person. I know a lot of western countries can bring now their compatriots before the court for a deed of child abusement done abroad.

And I think that it's a good thing that a GNO is taking care of childeren to give them the chance to get an education which they (or the parents) couldn't afford normally.

All I fear is that it's a game between the poacher and the forester. With the poacher always one step ahead.

I forgot here to speak about those who r forced to work as sexworkers because they were promised a good job abroad and end up in a bar. That's still another story.

[sunsnow]

We should make a difference between let say the normal sex industry where girls r working that do it completely because they want to do it (they want to earn a lot of money or because they come from poor families and or kind of forced to do it to support their families).

Quick response: You are right. Distinctions are necessary. This aspect of "there are ppl who do prostitution of their own will" aspect vs. some who claim that anyone who takes up to prostitution to feed her/himself is not doing it out of free will but pushed into it if not directly then by otherwise bad social (socio-ecomic) situation.

True and not, in Thailand and in West becaue in a way, many times there are other options like taking up to some very hard labor...So to claim that taking up to prostitution is for some people "laziness", or "easy" money compared to long dreadfull hours with very low salaries in factories can be said to be true *in some cases*. "Laziness", "hopes of escaping poor life for high life"? Maybe in some cases but it is one hell of a choise to make, and so hard to believe anyone would do such a thing out of "laziness" BUT I am open to say that it is hard for me to truly evaluate (definetly I am not "throwing any first rocks") because of my lack of first hand social work or so on this issue. (but I guess that most would agree that even if the choice is sometimes the "only one", 99% would agree that taking the choice is a problem and something that no one hopes anyone to have to take...) Understandable, kinda. And I wont feel pity at all to some high class hookers in USA or here compared to the rural women in brothels in SE Asia, or in border cities to ex-USSR.

Well, there are so many things, and so complicated issues. But that hopefully doesn't supress people trying to start solving it, piece by piece if not anything else. And not throw hands up in the air. Discussing prostitution (out of free will or not, is it abuse or not etc.) in well-off countries where it would at first seem that no one is "forced" to take into prostitution to feed herself/himself/family is still once and in awhile current thing (especially when Sweden decided to make it illegal to buy services but not provide, because seller is "always abused" in their words and then when we have had similar discussion surrounding the situation).

(Discussion also focuses here to those ppl who are transported here for prostitution from Russia and Estonia, so there again it is not about Finnish women, who supposedly do it "out of free will"...And then USA so many hookers are drug abusers,no fact here to provide just my "hunch" maybe just influenced by media, that it is once again clear that many times prostitition is followed or caused by other social problems...And as such the face of prostitution would be hugely different if these other problems were solved...)

And kind of curiosity and example of the differences for the price of human being intimate services...BBC "documentary" series out of legal brothels in Nevada, where woman asks 500 dollars for half an hour "service". For all things considered, this example person was clearly doing it out of free will.

Then comes Stickmans column from last years October where it was exposed that services used in the provinces by local men cost 300 baht, that is, what, 100 times LESS than in USA. And from this money, same as in USA, the owner of the place keeps half...There is some huge difference in the price of services rendered. Now, this girl in BKK province...does she get "high life" with this money? Is that enough to support her parents? I seriously doubt...the contrast is something that horrifies...These two prostitutes cannot be compared really...Some people have the luxury of "choise" some dont'.

As crazy as it may sound, but personally I am inclined to say that the US "service person" was definetly not abused, and that cannot be said from the girls up country in my view: when the price is high enough, somehow mystically I stop seeing abuse and see choise out of free will....

ps. Btw, to your very first sentence: the pattern here published by our health ministry goes like this: when USSR came down, there were lots of sex tourism to exploit suddenly poor people from Finland. This was indicated by the STD statistics for long time. NOW there has been a CLEAR change: the number of STD cases in Finland and their origins has shifted from old Soviet countries to Thailand since something like 2001. And this is fact. In HIV cases health ministry is troubled that the number of cases gotten out of drug use has lowered but the number gotten from SE Asia has come into the picture...(So guys and girls: keep your willies protected when in Asia)

[hbkbkk]

damn there are a lot of words in this thread..

[thebigd60]

I Agree with Autowriter on this one, I do business in Thailand (I have importing Company) and I found that I am been labeled a sex Tourist as well. I have been to Pattaya once for two days and I hated the joint. Now I just go to Bangkok but stay away from the usual haunts of the sex Tourist (Nana, Soi Cowboy?..)

Thailand has a terrible reputation for its sex Tours and this is brought on by Predators who stalk the Bars of Pattaya looking for some young girl who is just trying to survive and feed her Family. I would never look down on anyone but these men are certainly the lowest of low. But good on the Thai girl if she can get 10 men to send her money to keep her out of the Bars then she is doing a good job.

You can not honestly think that it is a career of choice? No it is a case of get in make your money and then get out.

I will say it is hard to find somewhere in Bangkok where a single Foreigner can go and not be subjected to the same old thing. Last week I went to the Novotel at Siam and it was full of working girls both Thai and Russian and I was approached 20 ? 30 times before I got out of there. I am still in search of a good place to good with good music (not too loud) and where one can meet and chat like normal people, if you know of somewhere let me know??

[sunsnow]

Who in the f*ck gave an unlimited licence to the West to export and force down the throats of Southeast Asia thier own puritan, Christian, Victorian, sex in secret in the dark and ashamed of it, values here?

How about documentaries on the wonderful, beautiful culture and history... the nature, the PEOPLE, thier lives, thier religion, their hopes and dreams. Little of this will align very well with how things are in Europe or North America.. and to that, I say, thank God.

No flaming.

But in fact, there are lot of documentaries and programs focusing also the latter part you mention here. You don't get the one without getting the another when talking about SE Asia, don't you. I mean, the contrasts are obvious. But once again, there are lot of stuff also in the latter part and it is healthy dose of both that keeps people not focusing not only in the good or the bad. Or closing eyes from one or another.

But one thing I would like to correct: when talking about sex trade, it is not about pushing "victorian, chrsitian values down the throat". Sex trade is not about religion. Work against it is not done on religious grounds, but it can for sure, but mostly it is done on the grounds of human lives and value, which should be the same what ever religion you are (although some religions or personal ethics or moral standards differ might on this aspect).

There are lots of positive, up beat threads also in TF to show the fantastic sides of SE Asia.

And no one can really disagree with you AutoWriter with the fact that label of "sex tourist" when anyone hears that "single white male in Thailand" or "you have been there more than once" is immediatly put on you...That creates immediatly "those looks". But doesn't this mean that "something should be done about it"...There are reasons for this conseption to come about and so sex trade is a problem in a way even for those who have not ever set their feet on a beer bar or whatnot. Proves that there are lots of things to do. And lots of it has to be done internally with laws and eradictation of places where services are available easily. In a way, easiest way would be to start from the places meant for foreigners: see the start of the thread...Taiwan did it once. Thailand didn't...Hurt tourism? Yeah. But isn't those pretty Thai ladies worth it then, Mr. Thai Government? Are the people in government thinkin' that it is ok to keep those places open, because in a way, it is just humanitarian act: after all, there is no other way to these girls and their families survive? I would like to see that member of the Thai government step out and say it out aloud.

Now, for long time, decades, they have not done anything on this field, or have they? If someone knows about what Thai governments of the past have done to protect it's own people from own people and foreigners in this field, I would like to hear from that too. And distributing free condoms and sexual education to brothels is just preventive measure against STD's and doesn't count here imho, it doesn't close a single borthel. (But stopped wide spread of HIV in Thailand in the early 1990's and that was one hell of a succesful campaign!)

Edit:

Some sources that has led to some of my feelings of the subject.

Change in Finnish men and HIV infections

http://www.verkkouutiset.fi/arkisto/kotimaa/96304.html

Prostitution in Finland, pioneer study, abstract in English too. Amount of women working in the business 8000 ppl, half of them foreigners. Percentage of population about 0,15% (2005, 5,2 million ppl)

http://www.salli.org/info/bib/ak2005abst.rtf

Prostitituon in Thailand. Numbers vary highly. One estimate: 2,8 million. Percentage of population 4,3% (2005, 65 million ppl).

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/page.arcview.php?id=91309

Asian sex trade slavery?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/2783655.stm

Fact of foreign ppl trafficed into Thailand and out from Thailand. A lot of other numbers on prostitutes too. For example the estimates vary from the low of 200 000 (that is way too low, most estimates have much more numbers, even the amount of children is bigger in most figures. 2,8 million being the highest, so it seems.

http://www.uri.edu/artsci/wms/hughes/thailand.htm

[Dave40]

Say the word "Thailand" or "Bangkok" in mixed company in North America or the West, and you get this "look" of assumption... that the region is all about the sex trade.

I travel alot to BKK and I can say that as a "Farang" (I f*cking hate that word), in BKK I am often assumed to be some pervert sex tourist; and at home, it's assumed I've f**ked a dozen 19-year old Thai prostitues on my last business trip to BKK.

I hate that.

It's this constant dwelling on one aspect of Southeast Asia, the sex trade, especially in the media, that is giving this place a bad name.

Attitudes about sex in the region are different than Western attitudes and morals.

Who in the f*ck gave an unlimited licence to the West to export and force down the throats of Southeast Asia thier own puritan, Christian, Victorian, sex in secret in the dark and ashamed of it, values here?

I'm sick of it.

If someone wants to do another, boring, been-there-done-that documentary on the sex trade in Southeast Asia, I say go straight to hell.

How about documentaries on the wonderful, beautiful culture and history... the nature, the PEOPLE, thier lives, thier religion, their hopes and dreams. Little of this will align very well with how things are in Europe or North America.. and to that, I say, thank God.

Flame me if you want, I dont give a sh*t.

I love Thailand, I love the culture, the people, the food, the climate... all of that. There is a whole lot more to this place if you want to make a difference with a documentary.

AutoWriter

(By the way... I'm in the media and automotive business, so I'm not just rambling on about sh*t I know nothing about. I know how the "media" works outside SE Asia. And they are bigger whores than the worst skank AIDS-infected streetalker in Cambodia.)

Let the flaming begin!!!!

Sex sells simple as that, the rest is alot harder to sell

[zeusbheld]

That is just anti Thai propaganda.

"You can read about it and watch documentaries all you want, but until you're actually there and you're offered children, you can't grasp how horrendous it is," said Quinnell, explaining that his being male, white, solo and in Thailand often added up to the assumption that he was a so-called "sex tourist."

This dude, Joseph Quinnell, makes up bullshit stories and ties child prostitution to the entire bar scene in Thailand because he is looking for funds to continue his own "research" and acts of "good will".

He is 29 yrs. old and hasn't graduated from university yet.

US perceptions of Thailand get so twisted and tainted by losers like him.

Know-nothing people like this guy irk me.

I dont think you need a graduated from the university to understand that prostitution is messed up, its pretty obvious that you are trying to defend yourself buying sex, so its not about age and if you havent graduated yet, its about moral...

you don;t even understand what he said. He wasn't condoning sex trade just saying the guy was not accurate. If ya want to hack someone at least get it right :roll:

Its about reading betwin the lines...

please don't try to read between the lines until you demonstrate an ability to READ the lines.

[i_love_som_tam]

That is just anti Thai propaganda.

"You can read about it and watch documentaries all you want, but until you're actually there and you're offered children, you can't grasp how horrendous it is," said Quinnell, explaining that his being male, white, solo and in Thailand often added up to the assumption that he was a so-called "sex tourist."

This dude, Joseph Quinnell, makes up bullshit stories and ties child prostitution to the entire bar scene in Thailand because he is looking for funds to continue his own "research" and acts of "good will".

He is 29 yrs. old and hasn't graduated from university yet.

US perceptions of Thailand get so twisted and tainted by losers like him.

Know-nothing people like this guy irk me.

I dont think you need a graduated from the university to understand that prostitution is messed up, its pretty obvious that you are trying to defend yourself buying sex, so its not about age and if you havent graduated yet, its about moral...

you don;t even understand what he said. He wasn't condoning sex trade just saying the guy was not accurate. If ya want to hack someone at least get it right :roll:

Its about reading betwin the lines...

please don't try to read between the lines until you demonstrate an ability to READ the lines.

it could be the recreational pharmaceuticals he is so proud of taking. one never knows. :roll:

[sunsnow]

Bha with the two previous or so postings.

Btw, the Born in Brothels documentary is very recommendable. It has the most beautiful photography in it, and really tells something about the Trade. Touching stuff.

Differences between Trade though are huge, the amount of "exploitation" going from 0 to 100% around the places.

[chrispilok]

I doubt prostitution is the result of R&R, the Vietnam war, or even Western Tourism. It seems to be a part of the culture. I had a girlfriend over here who told me that she gave her step-dad some money once to visit a "gai". She didn't see anything scandalous about that. She likes the guy and it made him happy.Another Thai fellow I know told me that when he feels a cold coming on he goes and has sex with a bar girl. He swears by this remedy. I know this sounds like I'm being flippant but I'm trying to illustrate how prostitution is viewed as more or less a normal business. I'm sure everyone who lives here has a similar anecdote.

[sunsnow]

I doubt prostitution is the result of R&R, the Vietnam war, or even Western Tourism. It seems to be a part of the culture.

"The tourists catering prostitution is "result" or R&R and laws passed in 1966 that still are in use." That is the argument made and "history" of Pattaya, Soi Cowboys and Nanas and Patpongs. These places are for foreigners, locals go to different areas with "massage", any local can show where these are. I am still confused thou how the law of 1966 can still be used to "make some forms of prostitution" legal, when at the same time "official" accounts are that prostitution is illegal in TH, or the law passed in 1997/1996 that also was meant to protect children and women... So prostitution was there before and definetly after Vietnam. It just opened even more possibilities for (more) women to provide to new customer base some "services".

Locals are huge users of prostitution, that I believe many locals can tell more about (supported by all the statistics references earlier). The crazy story on Stickman weekly in October or August 2005 was about investigating brothels for locals, how the women there are "younger / more beautiful" than those in foreigner places and how price of these services are much lower...

[Angel_Master]

I doubt prostitution is the result of R&R, the Vietnam war, or even Western Tourism. It seems to be a part of the culture. I had a girlfriend over here who told me that she gave her step-dad some money once to visit a "gai". She didn't see anything scandalous about that. She likes the guy and it made him happy.Another Thai fellow I know told me that when he feels a cold coming on he goes and has sex with a bar girl. He swears by this remedy. I know this sounds like I'm being flippant but I'm trying to illustrate how prostitution is viewed as more or less a normal business. I'm sure everyone who lives here has a similar anecdote.

This is spot on, ?Largely viewed by Thais as a normal part of the culture?. It seems to me that girls who don't stay in school and/or fail to keep themselves for a good husband very often end up working in the sex industry. They have a responsibility to contribute to their families and short of at least a high school education and a husband are hard pressed to be able to do that. So, if they have the looks it's seems that it is usually a no brainier for most girls and their families. Sure many of them also turn to the sex industry after getting married and then being abandoned.

Yes, it is a blight on the society and there should be more and better opportunities to get an education. If the economy was not crippled by corruption then there would be more to go around for everyone and the problem could be greatly reduced.

[Angel_Master]

As for statements regarding child prostitution in Thailand, I have no comment. My comments do not in anyway pertain to this. I am highly suspicious that such reports are largely sensationalism in order to get attention and money.

[DocDre]

Back to the actual subject, as this is primarily a Thai oriented web site it's understandble that the conversation drifted to sex trade here in LOS, but as I point out to many visitors from home (America) When I fly into Miami or LA, and look in the yellow pages for hotels and nightclubs, there is a HUGE escort section that offers "services" . Prostitution ranges from desperate financial need to Vegas style 6 digit incomes. It's REALLY easy to have an opinion but it's amazing how much it changes when you actually spend time with "sex workers" (NO, not engaging in their services) and get their side of the situation, from both financial reasonings.

Anyway, back to the point. Another documentary worth the 50 minute view is:

Black Tar heroin (The Dark End of The street)

It follows a group of young adults as they weave their way through addiction, prostitution, HIV, and AIDS in heroin central Seattle, Washington, USA.It spans 3 years in their lives and is a testimonial to DEFINITLY NOT try herion.

Again this can be found at Torrentbox.com.