Sex and Borders: Gender, National Identity, and Prostitution Policy in Thailand

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Prostitution in Thailand has been the subject of media sensationalism for decades. Bangkok's brothels have become international icons of "Third World" women's exploitation in the global sex trade. Recently, however, sex workers have begun to demand not pity, but rights as workers in the global economy. sThis book explores how prostitution policy is linked to the disciplining of Thai national identity and gender. Jeffrey asserts that certain images of "The Prostitute" have silenced discourses of prostitution as work, while fostering the idea of the peasant woman as the embodiment of national culture. This idea, coupled with a will to shape the modern state through the behaviour of middle-class men, has been a main concern of Thai prostitution policy. Gender, Jeffrey argues, has become the mechanism through which states respond to the contradictory pressures of globalization and nation-building. Based on interviews conducted in Thailand, as well as material from the media, government, and non-governmental organizations, the discussion stretches from the semi-colonial period, through the democracy movement of the 1960s and 70s, to the present day. Sex and Borders is essential reading for those interested in gender studies, Southeast Asian studies, and the politics of prostitution.

SYNOPSIS

Thailand's brothels have become international symbols of Third World women's exploitation. Recently,however, sex workers there have begun to demand rights as workers in the global economy. Jeffrey (political science, University of New Brunswick) explores how prostitution policy is linked to Thai national identity and gender, drawing on interviews and on material from the media, government, and non-governmental organizations. The book was first published by U. of British Columbia Press in 2002. Annotation ©2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

FROM THE CRITICS

Booknews