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War, migration and the origins of the Thai sex industry

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  • Abel Brodeur
  • Warn N. Lekfuangfu
  • Yanos Zylberberg

Abstract

This paper analyzes the determinants behind the spatial distribution of the sex industry in Thailand. We relate the development of the sex industry to an early temporary demand shock, i.e., U.S. military presence during the Vietnam War. Comparing the surroundings of Thai military bases used by the U.S. army to districts close to unused Thai bases, we find that there are currently 5 times more commercial sex workers in districts near former U.S. bases. The development of the sex industry is also explained by a high price elasticity of supply due to female migration from regions affected by an agricultural crisis. Finally, we study a consequence induced by the large numbers of sex workers in few red-light districts: the HIV outbreak in the early 1990s.

Suggested Citation

  • Abel Brodeur & Warn N. Lekfuangfu & Yanos Zylberberg, 2017. "War, migration and the origins of the Thai sex industry," CEP Discussion Papers dp1489, Centre for Economic Performance, LSE.
    • Handle: RePEc:cep:cepdps:dp1489
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    Cited by:

    1. Cagé, Julia & Rueda, Valeria, 2020. "Sex and the mission: the conflicting effects of early Christian missions on HIV in sub-Saharan Africa," Journal of Demographic Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 86(3), pages 213-257, September.
    2. repec:hal:wpspec:info:hdl:2441/76npisrda99aop75h6fmi4vduu is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Brodeur, Abel & Haddad, Joanne, 2021. "Institutions, attitudes and LGBT: Evidence from the gold rush," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 92-110.
    4. Julia Cage & Valeria Rueda, 2017. "Sex and the Mission: The Conflicting Effects of Early Christian Investments on the HIV Epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa," Sciences Po publications 12192, Sciences Po.
    5. Julia Cage & Valeria Rueda, 2019. "Sex and the Mission: The Conflicting Effects of Early Christian Missions on HIV in sub-Saharan Africa," SciencePo Working papers Main hal-03393101, HAL.
    6. repec:hal:spmain:info:hdl:2441/76npisrda99aop75h6fmi4vduu is not listed on IDEAS
    7. repec:hal:spmain:info:hdl:2441/1m830agp9d84tqs03n95sm3o1u is not listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    persistence; industry location; sex industry; HIV/AIDS;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O17 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Formal and Informal Sectors; Shadow Economy; Institutional Arrangements
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
    • N15 - Economic History - - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics; Industrial Structure; Growth; Fluctuations - - - Asia including Middle East
    • J46 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Informal Labor Market
    • J47 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Coercive Labor Markets
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy

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