Thailand PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has made no secret of his desire to clean up Thailand notorious red light districts and change the country’s image as a haven for sex tourists.
The latest area in line for a more wholesome makeover is Bangkok’s Rattanakosin Island red light district, and the model for its regeneration comes from a very unlikely source.
According to local media, the PM wants the area to be transformed into a quintessential English countryside village.
The PM was reportedly inspired after a Thai government delegation visited the village of Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds.
It is known as the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’ so there are some similarities with the canals of Rattanakosin Island, but it is still nevertheless an ambitious aim.
Rattanakosin Island is unlikely to see the mini-skirted streetwalkers being replaced by Morris dancers or cream teas and scones being preferred to the ubiquitous bowls of Pad Thai noodles.
”Yellow star flowers will be cultivated along the canals. Old buildings will be renovated and repainted in soft yellow," defence ministry permanent secretary Gen Nat Intarachareon told the Bangkok Post.
Work has already begun to dredge the dirty canals and solar-powered floating water cleaners are being installed.
”The second part of the plan is to re-adjust this area and landscape so it is not suitable for prostitution. New public activities should be introduced to the area to encourage tourism,” said Phaitoon Khamparat of the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority, adding that prostitution there is ‘damaging the image of Thailand.’
