Prostitution is unlawful in Thailand under the Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act B.E. 2539 (1996). Sex workers can be fined up to 1,000 baht for soliciting in public (s. 5, now an administrative fine imposed by social-development ministry officials, not the police) and imprisoned or fined for being in a prostitution establishment (s. 6) or advertising (s. 7). Buying sex from an adult is not itself an offence. Brothel-keeping (s. 11) and procuring (s. 9) carry long prison terms. Massage parlours, hostess bars and karaoke lounges are licensed under the Entertainment Places Act B.E. 2509 (1966), which does not permit prostitution. A citizen bill to repeal the 1996 Act and treat sex work as work reached the House on 28 May 2026; classed as a financial bill, it cannot be debated without the Prime Minister's endorsement, and none had been reported by 30 October 2026. Source: Prostitution Laws (prostitutionlaws.org), https://prostitutionlaws.org/countries/thailand/, reviewed 2026-11-04, CC BY 4.0.