Satjadham Presents:

Laos:  Development for Better of Worse?
By Vinya Sysamouth

	Similar to Vietnam and Cambodia, Laos fell under communist hands in 1975.  Virtually one-tenth on the population, including the most of the educated elite, fled the country to seek political asylum.  The new government implemented the "accelerated socialization" which centralized large private sector of businesses and collectivized agriculture.
	In 1986,  reform of economic policies took place.  The government began the process of shifting form a centrally-planned to a market economy and introduced a packages of economic reforms commonly known as the New Economic Mechanisms (NEMs).
	I will attempt to point out how the NEMs as well as the Lao PDR's tourism policies will affect the prostitution in the country.
	This article is based on many reliable sources.  However, due to the sensitivity of the topic some might find it to be offensive.  Please feel free to express your opinion openly concerning this article.  I am always open to criticism.

	Thailand and Laos may have similar languages and cultures, but when it comes to prostitution-related problems, there is no comparison.  In terms of the prostitute population, Thailand outnumbers Laos by far.  In Bangkok alone, according to one source, it is estimated that there are over 20,000 prostitutes (1).  Overall, Thailand is estimated to have anywhere between 75,000 to 2.8 million prostitutes,(2) excluding those who live outside Thailand's political boundaries, such as in Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore.  The question is, with economic development and rising number of tourists could Laos manage to aloof itself from becoming a materialistic society and turn into another Pattaya, Pukett, or Bangkok where sex could be obtained as easy as a pack of cigarettes?  Will Laos become a land of million prostitutes like Thailand?
	In Thailand, prostitution along with AIDS is considered to be the primary controversial social and moral issues.  According to a publication by the Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, Thailand, tourism is a dynamic force that assisted in the booming of the sex industry.  
	During the Vietnam War, the business of prostitution mushroomed in local towns where US military forces stationed or spent their R&R (rest and recreation).  In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the R&R industry of US military personnel was the primary contribution to the growth of prostitution in Pattaya, Thailand.  
	Contrary to the popular assumption, the end of the Vietnam War did not reduce the demand for prostitution, but rather it steadily increased.  What began with the GIs' R&R has now been replaced by the tourist business partly due to the new economic and development policies implemented in the 60s and 70s which in part aimed at promoting tourism in Thailand.  The tourist business was so successful that it ranked first, making it the most profitable industry since 1982 (3).  The Tourism Authority of Thailand's record shows that there were 81,340 foreign tourists who visited Thailand in 1960.  That number raised to 5.29 million by 1990, and it is expected to reach 7.25 million by 1996 and 22.3 million by the year 2000.
	Obviously, there is a strong correlation between Thailand's tourism and the sexual exploitation of Thai women and children.  In cities, such as Bangkok, Chiangmai, Pukett, and Pattaya that serve as hot-spot destinations for tourists, concentration of prostitution is known to be the highest in the country (4). According to the statistic provided by the Thai National Immigration Department (1987-1991) which states that male tourists out numbered females 2 to 1.  The majority of these males were between the ages of 25 and 44, who, mainly, have the intention of visiting Thailand for "leisure" purposes.
	The Lao People's Democratic Republic must examine Thailand's economic policies (mainly those policies pertaining to tourism) and choose its path carefully if it does not want to be labeled as a "free sex" country.
	Admitting that Laos would not survive economically, Keysone introduced, chintanakan mai (new thinking) or the New Economic Mechanisms (NEMs) in 1986 in which the government's key role was to establish an environment in which the private sector can expand rapidly and create substantial real economic growth.  Since then, foreign investment has been increasing rapidly with Thai ranking first following by the USA.  But, despite the economic annual growth rate of 6 to 7 percent since 1990 (NY Times), the majority of the people's living standard, particularly the rural peasants remained the same since most development was concentrated in the capital.
	Despite the Lao government's current intention to protect its people, there are signs that Laos is heading toward the Thai end of the spectrum.  The bottom line is that, materialistic culture associating with money and power, is making its way slowly, but increasing to a certain portion of the Lao population, i.e., via airwaves from Thailand and the newly Australia sponsored Friendship Bridge across the Mekong River. 
	One theory is that these outside influences, including economic development will result in a division of the populace into two groups, the urban-rich and the rural-poor thus leading to corruption and exploitation scheme of the poor peasants.  Such a characteristic is not uncommon among developing countries.
	In 1992, there were 62,000 tourists who officially visited Laos (5).  This number could expect to grow as Laos is slowly attracting international attention.  With the urgent need for economic growth, will the government sacrifice its rich natural resources, colorful ethnic groups, and ancient culture for tourist dollars?  The answer may lay 10 to 20 years ahead, but at the present, the government seems to genuinely want to protect its people against cultural "pollution."  It is part of the Lao Tourism Authority current policies that foreigners who wish to visit Laos must sign up with one of the twelve or so certified tour agencies. 
	With economic development and increase in tourism, there is an indication that Viengchan may once again become a place where "the brothels are cheaper than the hotels, marijuana is cheaper than pipe tobacco, and opium easier to find than a cold glass of beer" as described by Paul Theroux in the 1970s.  There are "already a few red lights (which) have come on in some of the more secluded houses along the Mekong banks" (6).  Establishments such as "beer kodd" bars where customers enjoy the company of hostesses while being served are becoming commonplace.
	With so many pressures from all directions, could the Lao government resist the forces?  Could corruption among government and police officers be kept to a minimum?  Could the people of Laos resist the temptation of the materialistic outside world?
	Yet without improvement, Lao PDR will continue to be one of the least developed countries (LDC) (considered by the United Nations).  According to the United Nations report for Laos:  infant mortality rate is at 101.8 deaths per 1,000 live birth (1994 est.); life expectancy at birth is roughly around 50 years (1994 est.); 64% of population could read and write; average mean of schooling is less than three years, and fewer than half the rural population have access to safe drinking water (7).	
	Development is good for the country if it can distribute the success evenly to its population.  Laos must develop slowly and steadily as to ensure the well being of its people.  This small landlocked country, once known during its glorious days as the Land of a Million Elephants will no doubt soon experience one of its toughest challenges.


References:

(1), (3), (4) Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University (1994).  "Rum hang 		bang banh rak:  spa kor tet jing hang panha so paay nii lek aids." (in Thai)

(2) Boonchalaksi and Guest (1994).  Prostitution in Thailand.  Mahidol University:  The Institute 		for Population and Social Research.  Salaya, Thailand.

(5) Cummings, Joe (1984).  Laos:  a travel survival kit.  Lonely Planet Publication.  Bangkok.

(6) Bangkok Post:  The Sunday Magazine (Nov 27-Dec 3, 1994).

(7) New York Times International.  Sunday July 30, 1995. p.10 

Theroux, Paul (1975).  The Great Railway Bazaar:  By Rail Through Asia.  United States.