Conservative-leaning Democratic Party "Solve Sexual Issues, Secure Tax Revenue"
"Sex Industry Accounts for 10% of Thailand's GDP" Analysis Also
In Thailand, a Buddhist country, a conservative political party has drawn attention by including the legalization of 'adult toys' (sex toys) as an election pledge.
According to the Bangkok Post and others on the 26th (local time), Rachada Thanadirek, the spokesperson for the Thai government and leader of the Democrat Party, stated that legalizing the sale of sex toys "could help reduce divorces caused by sexual issues, as well as prostitution, sex crimes, and sexually transmitted infections." The Democrat Party, which has a conservative stance, currently participates in the Thai coalition government and is classified as a ruling party.
Thailand's state religion is Buddhism. The sale of sexual-related products such as dildos, vibrators (sexual stimulation devices), and real dolls (human-shaped dolls) is illegal. Under current law, those caught selling adult products face up to three years in prison or a fine of $1,800 (approximately 2.4 million KRW).
The proposal by a conservative party to legalize sex toys as an election pledge is considered unusual. Some suggest that with the general election just three weeks away and approval ratings not rising, there may be a political strategy to win votes.
The Democrat Party argues that by bringing adult products into the open, it is better to establish legal safety standards and secure tax revenue. In reality, the sex industry is known to be developed, with smuggling and black-market sales of adult products rampant.
Local media Tiger reported, "Thailand is a conservative country, but paradoxically, the underground prostitution and sex-related product economy is thriving," adding, "The Customs Department seized more than 4,000 sex toys in 2020 alone, and the sex industry accounts for up to 10% of Thailand's gross domestic product (GDP)."
Voices calling for the legalization of adult products in Thailand have appeared before. The progressive minority party, the Civilized Party, argued in 2020 that prostitution and sex toys should be recognized, but failed to pass the parliamentary threshold. In February this year, the Thai Minister of Agriculture also proposed utilizing the sex toy market to develop the rubber industry.
Meanwhile, the global adult toy market is known to be growing at an annual rate of over 8%. According to market research firm Grand View Research, global adult toy company sales were recorded at $33.6 billion (approximately 44 trillion KRW) in 2020.
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