Thailand

The age of consent is set at 18 years. Prostitution with children is severely punished. The streets of Bangkok are as colourful and lively as ever. Nevertheless pollution is high and can make a longer stay rather tiring. Elections were held in December 2007 ending the military rule. On June 29, 2007, the constitutional assembly decided to include a clause prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation in the constitution, and 57.8 % of the Thai people accepted the passage in a referendum in August. This is another step forward on the way to legal recognition of same-sex couples. Thailand never had any laws against homosexuality in the first place, mainly because sexuality is very much considered to be a private matter. Then the Buddhists believe that homosexuality or a transsexual life is fate and nobody can change it anyway, at least not in this life. For travellers Thailand is one of the most pleasant places to be because people are very friendly, open and curious about their guests. "Sanuk" - fun - is one of the most important words and the worst you can say about somebody is that they are boring. Many things are not what they seem to be so keep an open mind, e.g. walkways are not for walking but for selling and buying all sorts of things, for eating and drinking and to have a chat with an old friend or one you just met. Don't be surprised if you find names of places or venues spelled in many different ways, there is no official transliteration of Thai language into English. Best advice of all: never ever be in a hurry.