Prostitution was deep rooted in Thai society. During Ayudhya period, prostitutes were mostlv among women classified as “women slaves”. In the reign of King Narai, prostitution was accepted as legal practice as long as the regular tax due were fulfilled. Since then until Rattanakosin period. “prostitute” business and taxation on prostitution were generally practiced. Early in the reign of King Chulalongkorn, “Street Tax” farming was established. But late in 1909, the government of King Chulalongkorn repealed the “Street Tax” , and alternatively, the government adopted the policy of giving license to prostitutes and brothels. In 1909, the government promulgated Contagious Disease Act, The Act has been enforced since then until 1960, without amendment. This thesis concentrated on the studies of prostitution and the Thai government’s policy during 1868 – 1960. Special emphasis were made on the development of prostitution in Thailand, its underlying factors and forms of practice. Status of prostitutes and problems arising from prostitution were also investigated. Besides, the government’s policy towards prostitution, its impact and consequences were also studied. The content of the thesis was divided into three parts. The first part covered the period between 1868-1920; the second 1921-1944 and the third 1945-1960. It was evidently seen from the studies that the pattern of prostitution at the beginning of Bangkok period derived from the previous pattern practiced in Ayudhya society. The policy of the Thai government during this period was aimed at collecting tax on prostitutes. The problems of venereal diseases were never put into account up until 1909, the year that the Act of Contagious disease was imposed by the government. In practice, the law provided the government to exert direct control on prostitute Taxation. During the years 1921-1944, the Thai Government did not gain benefit from prostitute taxation as much as they did before. The government’s policy was seen as short term problem-solving due to external pressure. The Leaque of Nations was against prostitute Trade and the lure of women into prostitution on an international level. Consequently, in 1928 the government passed an Aet prohibiting women and girls trade. In the third period between 1945-1960, under the changing socio-economic environment, prostitution developed its pattern into disguised manner. Also, this was due to the result of the instability of the Thai internal politics at that time causing the government’s negligence on prostitution problems. After the Second World War, due to pressure from the United Nations whose consecutive rallies on the international ban on prostitution license, together with the ultimate desire to eradicate all existing criminal activities of Field Marshall Sarit Thanarat, the government adopted the policy of prostitution suppression in 1960. In 1960 law concerning prostitution suppression was adopted. However, it was found that prostitution has been extensively practiced openly of under dionused manner stll.
