Tourism officials, child protection experts and legal specialists will meet in Bangkok next month for a conference aimed at combating the growing problem of regional child sex tourism.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is to co-sponsor the July 1-2 meeting along with the World Tourism Organization (WTO).
"Child prostitution is a complex social problem, but we in the tourism industry have to do everything possible to fulfill our responsibilities in eradicating this scourge," said TAT governor Pradech Phayakvichien.
Pradech said the organization was working to dispel the image of Thailand as a destination for male sex tourists.
"One way to do this is to step up the promotion of family and female travelers, a campaign that is producing results," he said.
The TAT said the Thai government was also trying to address the problem at the grass roots level, particularly the poverty and lack of education opportunities that forced children into prostitution -- BANGKOK (AFP)
