When did Bangkok become a "sex capitol"?
Probably the question thats gotta be asked it what is "normalization" and from whos view is it unusual?
As an example there is 4500 legal sex workers in melbourne (australia), maybe 4 time the amount of illegal ones, and looks to be between 150-200 brothels or similar establishments. And thats not to touch on "soft" services like sex or porn shops or strippers.
Some brothels are even advertised on billboards along highways. But no one questions "normalisation" of sex work.
I believe the infrastructure of sex tourism in Thailand in particular arose from all the R&R American soldiers had during the Vietnam war. They would go to Thailand and pay for women, men, children etc etc. This created a large influx of economic capital and sex workers into the cities such as Bangkok and Pattaya. After the soldiers left, the workers stayed and thus one of the most profitable sectors in Thailand was born.
'Thai Prostitution Traditions became more known to the West during the Vietnam War
Originating at the time that Thailand was used as an R&R spot for American soldiers during the Vietnam War, Thai prostitution has become integrally interwoven with international economics in the form of international tourism. Such tourism has created places like Pattaya and a new social conscious which is an embarrassment to many modern Thai’s.'