Overview of the legality and practice of prostitution in Laos
Decriminalization – No criminal penalties for prostitution
Legalization – prostitution legal and regulated
Abolitionism – prostitution is legal, but organized activities such as brothels and pimping are illegal; prostitution is not regulated
Neo-abolitionism illegal to buy sex and for 3rd party involvement, legal to sell sex
Prohibitionism – prostitution illegal
Legality varies with local laws
Prostitution in Laos is regarded as a criminal activity and can be subject to severe prosecution. It is much less common than in neighbouring Thailand.[1]: 135 Soliciting for prostitution takes place mainly in the city's bars and clubs,[2] although street prostitution also takes place. The visibility of prostitution in Laos belies the practice's illegality.[3] As of 2016[update], UNAIDS estimates there to be 13,400 prostitutes in the country.[4]
Most prostitutes in Laos are from poor rural Laotian families and the country's ethnic minorities. In addition to these, there are many prostitutes in Laos from China and Vietnam,[5] while some Laotian women go to Thailand to work as sex workers.[6] Laos has been identified as a source country for women and girls trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation in Thailand.[7]
Many female sex workers in Laos are at high risk of sexually transmitted infection (STI) and disease. They often have limited access to treatment and services due to cultural sensitivity regarding sexuality and pre-marital sex.[8]
^Kislenko, Arne (2009). Culture and Customs of Laos. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9780313339776.
^"Vientiane, Laos 2015 – City Nightlife, Clubs, Sex and Lao Family Life". www.retire-asia.com. Retire Asia. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
^Phrasisombath, Ketkesone; Faxelid, Elisabeth; Sychareun, Vanphanom; Thomsen, Sarah (20 November 2012). "Risks, benefits and survival strategies – views from female sex workers in Savannakhet, Laos". BMC Public Health. 12: 1004. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-12-1004. PMC 3507866. PMID 23164407.
^"Sex workers: Population size estimate - Number, 2016". www.aidsinfoonline.org. UNAIDS. Archived from the original on 4 June 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
^Stuart-Fox, Martin (2008). Historical Dictionary of Laos. Scarecrow Press. p. 272. ISBN 9780810864115.
^Cite error: The named reference FandD was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^"Trafficking in Persons Report 2008: Laos". www.state.gov. U.S. Department of State. 4 June 2008. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
^Cite error: The named reference :3 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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