Brothels sanctioned by a Burmese army officer, have opened with the support of senior township administration in Thanphyuzayart township.
The chairman of Burmese government Township Peace and Development Council is supporting the opening of 10 brothels in Thanphyuzayart town, by cooperating with an army officer from Infantry Battalion (IB) No. 62, according to a source close to the government.
The 10 brothels are located in the same quarter, and all are identifiable by a leaf thatched tent roof that slopes out over the sides and front of the brothel. Nearly 200,000 people live in Thanphyuzayart town.
Prostitution is illegal in Burma, made so by the Suppression of Prostitution Act from 1949, under which violators can receive a prison sentence of 3 years.
In an agreement that provides the brothels with protection from harassment by authorities, each of the 10 brothels has to pay 50,000 kyat each to the TPDC chairman and the officer from IB No. 62 every month. Additionally the TPDC chairman and the army officer will take 25,000 kyat a piece, per day from each brothel, according to a source from a government department who preferred to remain anonymous for security reasons.
“I am not sure when those brothels opened, but have heard about brothels in the area for a long time. I also heard the police have arrested [those involved in] brothels,” said a Thanphyuzayart resident. “By getting the permission from the authorities like this, its is creating conflict between the marriages and also wrecking more youths.”
A resident explained that by opening brothels, the aim of authorities is increase the amount of entertainment, so that there will be less interest in other more politically sensitive issues.
“In Aung Thayar quarter in Thanphyuzayart town, the brothels opened, but we have never seen any residents from Aung Thayar quarter opening brothels [before],” according to a retire retired administration development officer from Thanphyuzayart. “The quarter residents are very disappointed by this. We also cannot report this because the person who opened the brothel got permission and [is in a] good relationship with them [the authorities].”
According to a source close to an area doctor that is an expert on STD related issues, the number of sex workers increased significantly between 2002-2003 when economic development of the area increased from the sales of vehicles without licenses. At the time, in addition to the sales of vehicles, travel in the area was less restricted.
The doctor from Thanphyuzayart tested sex workers for STDs, and in one instance found that at least half of the population he tested, tested positive for HIV or AIDS. Tests were conducted at the hospital after it contacted brothel owners, who would then send their girls.
“The youths also go there [to the brothels]. They will get these diseases easily from going there if they don’t understand how to protect themselves and don’t get educated about HIV and AIDS. The disease could spread to their wives and for generations if they get the disease when they are young,” explained a source close to the doctor at Thanphyuzayart.
In addition, sex workers are reported to have spread throughout Moulmein city, the bus station at Zay Joy market and among assorted community performances and music festivals. According to one motorbike taxi driver who works near the market, prostitutes who work outside of brothels flee during periodic crackdowns, yet after a brief absence, return.
According to numerous human rights watchdog groups, prostitution remains wide spread throughout the country. According to the Human Rights documentation unit (HRDU), women in the country are frequently exploited sexually and economically, and that the number of sex workers in Burma is on the rise.
