Latvia to Fight ‘Baltic Bangkok’ Image

Travel Blog  •  Michael Yessis  •  06.26.07 | 10:30 AM ET

imageCheap flights and men on “stag nights” have threatened to turn Riga, Latvia into a destination most noted for pubs, clubs, strip bars and a growing sex industry—a “Baltic Bangkok,” if you will. It’s easy shorthand and perhaps too simple of a way to characterize Riga—or Bangkok, or any city for that matter—but some people in Latvia fear the name and image will stick. Hence, the current “Stop Sex Terrorism” campaign, which, according to Reuters, aims to steer local women away from one-night stands and to educate them about the dangers of interacting with tourists.

“Riga is at risk of becoming a ‘Baltic Bangkok’ and I’m starting to worry about the image of my country abroad,” said Martins Kozlovskis, creative director of PR company Alfa Centrs, which is leading the campaign.

The Baltic Times reports that several non-governmental organizations, local media and private companies are supporting the campaign.

Related on World Hum:
* Investigating International Sex Tourism*
* Rio Takes Aim at Sexy Postcards
* John Burdett on Thailand, Sex and ‘The Quiet Farang’

Photo by Marcus Vegas via Flickr, (Creative Commons).



2 Comments for Latvia to Fight ‘Baltic Bangkok’ Image

Thai frek 07.03.07 | 6:20 PM ET

Nice pic

Richard Fox 06.09.08 | 9:30 AM ET

Strange… there is nothing in Riga that you can’t find in any major city in the world that I know of. We have brothels in Washington, DC for example. So why make a big deal about Riga?

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