Safety, etiquette and the law

Adults only

We exclude any venue that appears to involve minors or coercion. Penalties in Thailand are severe, and countries including the US, UK and Australia prosecute their citizens for offences committed abroad.

The legal position

Thailand’s Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act B.E. 2539 (1996) makes prostitution illegal. Massage parlours and bath-houses operate legally as businesses under separate licensing, including the Entertainment Places Act B.E. 2509 (1966), and what happens inside a private room is not part of that licence. Enforcement varies, but foreigners are fully subject to Thai law.

This guide describes venues and prices for information. It is not legal advice and does not encourage breaking the law.

Consent and etiquette

• Consent applies throughout. Staff can decline a customer or stop a session at any time, and that decision is final.
• Be polite and sober. Venues refuse customers who are drunk or aggressive.
• Shower first. It is expected, and staff will usually show you where.
• No photos or recordings of staff or other customers, ever.
• Tip in cash, directly, to the person who looked after you.

Money: avoiding scams and overcharging

• Agree the total before the session: package, duration, room and any extras. The price board at reception is the reference.
• Pay at reception, not in the room, and keep the receipt or ticket.
• Ignore touts who offer to take you to a “better” venue. Commission is added to your bill.
• Carry the cash you need and leave the rest, along with your passport, in your hotel safe. A photocopy or photo of your passport is enough for most checks.
• Compare what you are quoted with the published typical range for the area. A quote far above it is a reason to ask questions or leave.

Health

Choose venues that look clean and where showers are standard. Protect your sexual health: use condoms, and get tested after your trip if you have had unprotected contact. Bangkok has many private clinics and hospitals that offer confidential testing. If you take medication or have a condition such as a skin allergy, tell the staff before the session starts.

Getting there and back safely

• Use BTS, MRT or a ride-hailing app (Grab or Bolt) rather than unofficial taxis late at night.
• Share your location with someone you trust if you are going somewhere unfamiliar.
• Do not accept drinks you did not see opened.

Who to call