How can "Prostitution be illegal" but "Buying sex be legal"

I was looking at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostitution_in_Asia and in places like Thailand and Philippines "Prostitution is illegal" but "Buying sex" is legal. How can this be both should be illegal or legal right? Also in some places "Prostitution is legal" but "Brothels illegal", I guess this means that a woman can sell herself on the internet but can't operate in a brothel?

What about indonesia Bali? There are no specific laws against prostitution there?

I was looking at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostitution_in_Asia and in places like Thailand and Philippines "Prostitution is illegal" but "Buying sex" is legal. How can this be both should be illegal or legal right? Also in some places "Prostitution is legal" but "Brothels illegal", I guess this means that a woman can sell herself on the internet but can't operate in a brothel? Originally Posted by KnutWangPatel

I would guess that it depends on who’s being prosecuted, the provider or the client. But that’s just a guess.

You may want to check out the International forums. I’ve seen quite a few guys comment about their overseas “sexcations”.

I would guess that it depends on who’s being prosecuted, the provider or the client. But that’s just a guess. Originally Posted by txdot-guy

So does "Prostitution illegal, buying sex legal" mean that clients can't be prosecuted? Are there any cases of clients being charged in places like Philippines or Thailand?