Patpong, entre sexe et commerce.
Le tourisme dit « sexuel » est aujourd’hui décrié comme une forme de tourisme international immoral, un dysfonctionnement grave de la mondialisation appelant une réaction politique contre « l’exploitation sexuelle » dont seraient victimes des millions de femmes et d’enfants. Pourtant, derrière l’app...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | deu |
| Published: |
Association Espaces Temps
2010-03-01
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| Series: | EspacesTemps.net |
| Online Access: | http://www.espacestemps.net/document8075.html |
| _version_ | 1797969528525684736 |
|---|---|
| author | Sébastien Roux |
| author_facet | Sébastien Roux |
| author_sort | Sébastien Roux |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Le tourisme dit « sexuel » est aujourd’hui décrié comme une forme de tourisme international immoral, un dysfonctionnement grave de la mondialisation appelant une réaction politique contre « l’exploitation sexuelle » dont seraient victimes des millions de femmes et d’enfants. Pourtant, derrière l’apparente évidence du « tourisme sexuel » comme expression de sens commun, rares sont les enquêtes qui explicitent la réalité concrète des échanges prostitutionnels. En adoptant une démarche ethnographique, l’article décrit le fonctionnement de Patpong, un quartier rouge de Bangkok dédié à une clientèle internationale. Par la description des offres disponibles, des revenus générés, des codes et des pratiques, la complexité de l’espace réapparaît. Il s’agit de donner à voir la réalité des échanges pour interroger l’articulation entre commerce et sexualité. L’analyse ethnographique du tourisme sexuel permet ainsi de souligner la diversité des pratiques et de rappeler que les formes les plus visibles — et les plus commentées — d’échanges prostitutionnels éclipsent trop souvent une pluralité d’expériences qui participe pourtant au succès de ces ruelles mondialement connues. <br> So-called sex tourism is condemned as an immoral form of international tourism, a serious failure of globalization requiring political action against the “sexual exploitation” suffered by millions of women and children. Yet behind the common and seemingly evident understanding of “sexual tourism,” few studies have focused on the actual reality of such relations. Based on an ethnographic study, this article presents the structure of Patpong, a red-light district of Bangkok dedicated to international tourism. First, the article aims to briefly present the historical development of Patpong. This peculiar space is intrinsically linked to sex tourism, as these world-renowned streets expanded since the mid-60s to become one of the most famous red-light districts in Southeast Asia. Initially linked to the gi s’ military presence in Thailand during the Vietnam War, “recreational bars” have grown during the boom of international tourism. Limited to some specific areas, these bars became world-famous and started to be harshly discussed. Then the article describes how Patpong is organized. In actuality this area is not only dedicated to commercial sex but also to business. By underlining the presence of a Night Bazaar, and also drug shops, restaurants, discos, even jewelries, the depiction of Patpong reminds us of the complexity of exchanges that defines this red-light district. If commercial sex seems omnipresent, it has to be understood as a specific form of business developed in order to rationally maximize the benefits of the international visitors’ presence. Finally, the diversity of sexual offers is detailed. By describing the many available services, the incomes generated, the codes of conduct, and practices, the complexity of Patpong surfaces. The article not only depicts the diversity of sexual establishments and their rules (i.e., go-go bars, beer bars, sex shows, etc.), but also points out the influence of non-sexual establishments, such as “regular” bars and the like. In fact, some prostitution activities take the form of ordinary relations and make us rethink the fine balance between sexuality and business. The ethnographical analysis of sex tourism thus highlights the multiplicity of practices and reminds us that the most visible — and most notorious — forms of prostitution often dismiss the multiple and complex factors that nonetheless contribute to the success of international sex. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T03:03:38Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-24af622168fb42519e814348a119eeb3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1777-5477 |
| language | deu |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T03:03:38Z |
| publishDate | 2010-03-01 |
| publisher | Association Espaces Temps |
| record_format | Article |
| series | EspacesTemps.net |
| spelling | doaj.art-24af622168fb42519e814348a119eeb32023-01-02T13:30:50ZdeuAssociation Espaces TempsEspacesTemps.net1777-54772010-03-01Patpong, entre sexe et commerce.Sébastien RouxLe tourisme dit « sexuel » est aujourd’hui décrié comme une forme de tourisme international immoral, un dysfonctionnement grave de la mondialisation appelant une réaction politique contre « l’exploitation sexuelle » dont seraient victimes des millions de femmes et d’enfants. Pourtant, derrière l’apparente évidence du « tourisme sexuel » comme expression de sens commun, rares sont les enquêtes qui explicitent la réalité concrète des échanges prostitutionnels. En adoptant une démarche ethnographique, l’article décrit le fonctionnement de Patpong, un quartier rouge de Bangkok dédié à une clientèle internationale. Par la description des offres disponibles, des revenus générés, des codes et des pratiques, la complexité de l’espace réapparaît. Il s’agit de donner à voir la réalité des échanges pour interroger l’articulation entre commerce et sexualité. L’analyse ethnographique du tourisme sexuel permet ainsi de souligner la diversité des pratiques et de rappeler que les formes les plus visibles — et les plus commentées — d’échanges prostitutionnels éclipsent trop souvent une pluralité d’expériences qui participe pourtant au succès de ces ruelles mondialement connues. <br> So-called sex tourism is condemned as an immoral form of international tourism, a serious failure of globalization requiring political action against the “sexual exploitation” suffered by millions of women and children. Yet behind the common and seemingly evident understanding of “sexual tourism,” few studies have focused on the actual reality of such relations. Based on an ethnographic study, this article presents the structure of Patpong, a red-light district of Bangkok dedicated to international tourism. First, the article aims to briefly present the historical development of Patpong. This peculiar space is intrinsically linked to sex tourism, as these world-renowned streets expanded since the mid-60s to become one of the most famous red-light districts in Southeast Asia. Initially linked to the gi s’ military presence in Thailand during the Vietnam War, “recreational bars” have grown during the boom of international tourism. Limited to some specific areas, these bars became world-famous and started to be harshly discussed. Then the article describes how Patpong is organized. In actuality this area is not only dedicated to commercial sex but also to business. By underlining the presence of a Night Bazaar, and also drug shops, restaurants, discos, even jewelries, the depiction of Patpong reminds us of the complexity of exchanges that defines this red-light district. If commercial sex seems omnipresent, it has to be understood as a specific form of business developed in order to rationally maximize the benefits of the international visitors’ presence. Finally, the diversity of sexual offers is detailed. By describing the many available services, the incomes generated, the codes of conduct, and practices, the complexity of Patpong surfaces. The article not only depicts the diversity of sexual establishments and their rules (i.e., go-go bars, beer bars, sex shows, etc.), but also points out the influence of non-sexual establishments, such as “regular” bars and the like. In fact, some prostitution activities take the form of ordinary relations and make us rethink the fine balance between sexuality and business. The ethnographical analysis of sex tourism thus highlights the multiplicity of practices and reminds us that the most visible — and most notorious — forms of prostitution often dismiss the multiple and complex factors that nonetheless contribute to the success of international sex.http://www.espacestemps.net/document8075.html |
| spellingShingle | Sébastien Roux Patpong, entre sexe et commerce. EspacesTemps.net |
| title | Patpong, entre sexe et commerce. |
| title_full | Patpong, entre sexe et commerce. |
| title_fullStr | Patpong, entre sexe et commerce. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Patpong, entre sexe et commerce. |
| title_short | Patpong, entre sexe et commerce. |
| title_sort | patpong entre sexe et commerce |
| url | http://www.espacestemps.net/document8075.html |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT sebastienroux patpongentresexeetcommerce |