An interesting lesson in the organic formation of supply and demand. the loose social norms could be attributed to Buddhism, perhaps and the lack of judgment around sexual acts etc.

 

It could have developed somewhat organically. Let's say Thailand had looser social norms and law enforcement around sex work, plus being a tropical paradise, and that led to it becoming a popular tourism destination for degenerates. As that reputation built and became a bigger part of the economy, local institutions would lean into it and they'd expand into more niche parts of the industry. Deeper markets can have more specialization.

Undisciplined

AskSN

Why is Thailand the world leader in ladyboys ?

stack_harder

it's a chicken and egg thing maybe, because there's a well-established market for it now, but I'm pretty sure in the 80s there wasn't (or was there? or maybe without the hormones it didn't work so well)

or maybe it is like a prostitution adjacent thing.

then again, there are lots of countries with hyperinflation and poverty and no LBs (maybe it's because of the religion in those countries,)