Some Southeast Asian countries have laws against sex trafficking. In Thailand specifically, “sex trafficking and debt bondage are explicitly prohibited,” (Mah p.70). If this is true, then why is there discussion of sex trafficking and debt bondage? An easy answer to that is government corruption; which unfortunately, is not uncommon in these lesser developed countries. It is said that government officials are paid off to protect trafficking agents from said laws. “Thai border guards and local police are often complicit in the sex trade, and are bribed by trafficking agents and brothel owners in return for protection from the law,” (Mah p.70). People of these countries, typically live below the poverty line. Naturally, when given the incentive of money people will do whatever it takes to make that money, even if it is illegal. The sex trade is very profitable, with very powerful people behind the trade. Guards and police may protect the trafficking agents to protect themselves. Simply, they may fear death, so they would rather break the law than die, or have their family be killed.
