COVID-19 Rendered 3 Lakh Sex Workers In Thailand Jobless & They're Struggling To Make Ends Meet

Ever since Thailand announced a nationwide curfew due to the novel pandemic Coronavirus, the one thing that the country is popular around the world - its party scene, has gone completely out of business. This has left the Thai sex workers with no income and some have been forced out to the streets.

Red-light districts all around the South-Asian country are like ghost towns - from Bangkok to Pattaya, all the night clubs and massage parlours have been shut down and there is a ban on tourists in the country.

According to an AFP report, due to this, an estimated 300,000 sex workers in the country are out of work. The risks are certainly very high out on the roads but with no other option left, the sex workers are exposing themselves to infection.

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A 32-year-old transgender sex worker, told AFP that, "I'm afraid of the virus but I need to find customers so I can pay for my room and food."

Thailand announced a 10:00 pm to 4:00 am curfew starting last Friday, and tourist spots like bars and restaurants had already closed days ago. Most sex workers have bars as their safety net to earn money as they are always brimming with tourists, which make up for their customers. While some are trying to wait till the pandemic comes to an end, others cannot afford that luxury - they have to feed themselves and pay rent, and hence have resorted to the streets.

The AFP report mentions that Pim hasn't had a customer in as long as 10 days and that is causing her to default on her bills. Other sex workers are also following in Pim's footsteps in order to ensure they don't get kicked out of their accommodations.

Things could possibly get harder because the Thai government might just decide to enforce a 24-hour curfew to control the virus.

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Since sex is a physical activity and the whole world has been advised to practice social-distancing, it is extremely difficult for them to find customers. Some sex workers have even returned to their homes to wait out the global crisis. However, the chances are that this could last up to months, leaving them completely out of business.

There are reports of the Thai government is implementing an emergency scheme which will provide 5,000 baht ($150) to jobless citizens for the next few months. However, since - contrary to popular belief - prostitution is illegal in Thailand, the scheme will exclude sex workers, because they won't be able to prove formal employment.

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Thailand has had a total of 2,220 cases out of which 26 have lost their lives and 793 have recovered from the deadly virus COVID-19.