More action needed to prevent child-sex tourism

“These days, child-sex tourism has become popular in developing countries. Look at Myanmar’s neighbouring country, Cambodia. They have seen a 65 per cent increase in tourist arrivals in just one year, and there has been a corresponding rise in the exploitation of children to attract paedophile tourists. The trend may spread to neighbouring Myanmar. Therefore, concerned organisations should take preventive measures,” said Khin Thiri Win.

Tourism is one of Myanmar’s main foreign-money earners. The country has seen a rising influx of cultural and business tourists since Myanmar opened up to the international community following several decades of isolation under military dictatorship.

“Monasteries and orphanages in Myanmar attract the attention of Western tourists as they are rich in culture. However, some take interest in children at these places because they want to exploit the children,” said Tun Myat from the Myanmar Tourist Guide Association.

“Child sex and human trafficking are still under control in Myanmar. No one dares to explicitly engage in those illicit activities. Tourist guides usually join package tours and company tours. They never help tourists to engage in child sex and human trafficking. Most of those who commit such illegal acts come from border regions.”

Myanmar signed a pact for free tourist visas with Thailand in August last year, and with China in December.