The legality of prostitution in Asia varies by country. In Asia, the main characteristic of the region is the significant discrepancy between the prostitution laws which exist on the books and what occurs in practice.
For example, in Thailand prostitution is illegal, [1] but in practice it is tolerated, and the country is a destination for sex tourism. In , the Asian Commission on Aids estimated there were 10 million sex workers in Asia and 75 million male customers.
Child prostitution is a serious problem in this region. Past surveys indicate that 30 to 35 percent of all prostitutes in the Mekong sub-region of Southeast Asia are between 12 and 17 years of age. The Asian region has the lowest incidence 5. This page uses the UN system of subregions. In Kazakhstan prostitution itself is legal, but acts facilitating prostitution, such as operating a brothel or prostitution ring, are illegal. Forced prostitution and prostitution connected to organized crime are prohibited.
Prostitution is a serious problem. NGOs reported that criminal prostitution rings often included local law enforcement officials. Estimates of the number of prostitutes in Kazakhstan vary from 4, [6] and Sex workers often face harassment, extortion, arbitrary arrest, rape and violence from the police. Prostitution in Kyrgyzstan has been legal since , [9] but the operation of brothels, pimping, and recruiting persons into prostitution are illegal, with penalties of up to five years [10] [11] There are estimated to be 7, sex workers in the country.
Prostitution has been blamed for a rise in AIDS. Sex trafficking is a problem in the country. Prostitution in Tajikistan is legal, but related activities such as soliciting, procuring and brothel keeping are prohibited. Previously, as soliciting is an administrative offence, [18] arrested prostitutes are given a nominal fine and released, [19] [20] while those procuring are prosecuted, [19] potentially being punished by up to eight years in jail.
