A high-end brothel is closing amid falling customer numbers in Thailand.

The massage parlours run by Emmanuelle Entertainment were once a prime spot for both locals and tourists visiting the country. They opened at the turn of the century at the height of the soapy bonanza, with 527 outlets across the city by 2013.

But more than ten years later, the popular chain announced its closure and sale of its flagship bawdy house Emmanuelle and the land for 645 million baht (13,821,872.08 GBP).

Managers said that changing demographics and the rise of apps such as Tinder and Thai Friendly - where call girls can ply their trade - have seen the massage parlour business hit hard.

Footage shows the Emanuelle club looking like a ghost town as it closed its doors from dwindling patrons.

Sopon Pornchokchai, president of the Thai Real Estate Information Center (AREA), said: ‘The massage parlour business will not become obsolete. There will still be opportunities for it if customer demand remains at a similar rate.'

Emmanuelle Entertainment's owner also decided not to extend the lease on the 1,600 sqm of land from the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), which would expire on April 30, 2027.

As of 2024, only 71 Emanuelle Entertainment massage parlours remained in Bangkok, predominantly in Din Daeng district with 19, followed by Huai Khwang with 18, Ratchathewi with nine, and Bang Phlat with four, while other districts host only one or two.

Meanwhile, there are 29 establishments in other provinces, with six in Chonburi and four in Nakhon Ratchasima. Other provinces have one or two each, including Krabi, Khon Kaen, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Phuket, Rayong, Samut Prakan, Saraburi, Sukhothai, Surat Thani, Udon Thani, and Ubon Ratchathani.

Sopon added the top 14 massage establishments from the chain with the highest registered capitals are Youtopia in Bangkok with 300 million baht (6,900,000 GBP), Plaza in Bangkok with 88.27 million baht (2,030,210 GBP), La Belle in Bangkok with 150 million baht (3,450,000 GBP), Velthee Pilar in Nonthaburi with 100 million baht (2,300,000 GBP), Taweechai Somboon in Bangkok with 80 million baht (1,840,000 GBP), Chao Phraya Palace in Bangkok with 64 million baht (1,472,000 GBP), Melrose Plaza in Bangkok with 36 million baht (828,000 GBP), The Lord Spa in Bangkok with 35 million baht (805,000 GBP), Burapha Baramee in Chanthaburi with 30 million baht (690,000 GBP), P.79 in Bangkok with 15 million baht (345,000 GBP), Pho Watchara in Bangkok with 12.5 million baht (287,500 GBP), Nateetip in Bangkok with 12 million baht (276,000 GBP), PPTS Construction in Bangkok with 11 million baht (253,000 GBP), and Yensabai in Chonburi with 10 million baht (230,000 GBP).

He calculated that assuming each facility had approximately 50 employees, the 527 facilities in 2013 would equate to approximately 50,000 service providers.

Assuming each person provides services about three times a day, the revenue would amount to about 82.125 billion baht per year, based on an average rate of 1,500 baht per person.