Since the first case was reported in 1984, nearly 1.2 million Thais have been infected with HIV. Gay men, sex workers and drug users reportedly account for over 60% of new infections.
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(According to statistics from 2013, Thailand records about 8,200 new HIV infections and 21,000 Aids-related deaths every year. Even though the risk of contracting HIV might not be as high as often reported in the media (no official figures are available for Pattaya specifically), sexually transmitted diseases are unfortunately pretty common in Pattaya and can easily spoil your holiday for at least a couple of days. HIV and Aids, as well as other STDs (sexually transmitted diseases), are certainly prominent issues and serious threats in Pattaya’s LGBT scene.
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Thailand’s age of consent may be 15 but, in the case of prostitution, a higher minimum age of 18 applies. Please just note that underage sex with boys under 18 isn’t only strictly prohibited by Thai law but may also lead to prosecution in your home country. As in “straight” relationships, age difference between partners in gay relationships is fully accepted in Thailand. Many boys might also be seeking a more permanent foreign boyfriend/partner. male prostitutes) in the local bars and aren’t only ready to become your special friend for a night or two, but also act as your personal “guide” for the entire duration of your vacation. Whereas many elder gay men might find it difficult to find a suitable partner in their home country, Pattaya surely has no shortage of attractive young Thai males. Pattaya’s colourful gay scene is a true paradise for foreign gay tourists. Even a local gay festival called Pattaya Pride is held on an annual basis. The ubiquitous sight of gay and (though to a much lesser extent) lesbian couples, and the tolerance displayed by the public, makes it easy for gay visitors to feel at home in Funtown.
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It’s not just accepted and tolerated – it’s a normal feature of everyday life. Thanks to the traditional Buddhist conception that human beings equally consist of masculine and feminine parts, homosexuality in Buddhist Thailand is neither a taboo nor as stigmatized as in many Western societies. As the rest of Thailand, Pattaya is extremely gay-friendly and has a fairly developed gay scene including gay host bars, A-GoGo clubs, show bars with male dancers, transvestite cabaret theatres, gay massage parlours, and other gay-friendly establishments where gay men from all around the globe can enjoy themselves and their sexual orientation in the company of local boys.