My husband has absolutely no idea on how to pick out thelady boys in Thailand, I however, have got it totally covered.
Why there are so many Transgenders in Thailand?
Contents
- 1 Why there are so many Transgenders in Thailand?
- 2 Some background onThe lady boys of Thailand
- 3 Thai society opinion ofThe lady boys of Thailand
- 4 My knowledge base ofThe lady boys of Thailand
- 5 So why am I an authority on lady boys?
It begs the question as to why there are so many transgenders in Thailand, in particular. It is hard to get a totally accurate answer, but the best that I can think of, is that it is no big deal to the Thai people. It is acceptable and the norm in their society. In the teachings of Buddha- compassion and acceptance are all key virtues.
What does go against the grain however, is that many boys start taking oestrogen pills at a very young age to retard the development of their male features and to enhance the development of their female features. The fact that they dress as girls and wear makeup at such a young age seems acceptable to the Thai people. But why choose to be a girl as opposed to a man?
Some background onThe lady boys of Thailand
Many lady boys or Kathoeys as they are also known, dress as women and undergo feminizing medical procedures such as hormone replacement therapy, breast implants, genital reassignment surgery, and Adam’s apple reductions. There are a myriad of other surgeries available that reduce the obviousness of masculinity like replacing the penis with a vagin* – though this last procedure is not as common as one would think – as apparently, many have inadvertently found out!
Thai society opinion ofThe lady boys of Thailand
Thai society is male dominated. Heterosexual men are the top of the order. Next comes hom*osexuals who do not try to hide their sexual preferences and are known as the “gay kings” – which is not a derogatory term at all. They are held in respect in Thai society. Then come the lady boys who, some believe are not being true to their own sexuality and as such are probably lowest on the pecking order, but still very much accepted and a part of the fabric of Thai life.
My knowledge base ofThe lady boys of Thailand
So where has my information source come from? Years of going to Thailand and talking to the lady boys. We met an American man in a bar in Bangkok who introduced us to his soon to be wife. I picked it, but my husband didn’t. She was totally beautiful and he was so not. We talked with them for ages and when my husband finally twigged, we got the entire story. She had always wanted to be a lady boy. She liked the opportunities it offered her, not to mention the outfits and makeup. He was gay and was unable to tell his highly religious family in the States, despite being over 60. He intended to take her home to the US as his wife, and because she did not look like a man, the problem was solved for him. A very happy ending I think. She had not had the surgery.
She introduced us to many of the lady boys at the bar. They are so open and friendly that they had no hesitation explaining their lifestyle. We kept asking the girl if this one or that one had had their penis removed. Most hadn’t. But where do they put it, because in their tight g-strings I couldn’t see a ripple let alone a bulge? She explained that because of the hormones, the penis shrank considerably and they just tied a small cork on the end and inserted it into their rectum. We asked one lady boy whether she had had the surgery. The woman promptly whipped her g-string aside to show us her vagin* and said ”very good doctor.” We had to compliment her and say that, yes, the doctor was very skilled, indeed!
So why am I an authority on lady boys?
Well, I’m not, but having been to Thailand many times, wewe have been able to get an intimate view of their lifestyle. How can I pick them so quickly? Well it’s not the size of their hands or feet or their height, but I have yet to see a female female put their makeup on so perfectly! It is a dead give away.
Check out this interview with ladyboy Regina by the Nomadic Boys abouttheladyboys in Bangkok
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FAQs
The fact that Bangkok is widely considered the trans capital of the world is irrefutable. The cause is likely to be cultural. According to Dr Witchayanee Ocha from Rangsit University, “Thai society is based on a 'three gender system,' in which transgender people were acknowledged even in old Siam…
Do ladyboys get surgery? ›
The term can refer to males who exhibit varying degrees of femininity. Many dress as women and undergo "feminising" medical procedures such as breast implants, hormones, silicone injections, or Adam's apple reductions.
Are ladyboys born like that? ›
Most transsexuals believe that their longing for sex-change is biologically determined. However there is no real evidence for a biological basis for transsexuality in terms of measurable differences in genes, brain microstructure or physiology.
What gender are ladyboys? ›
Although the terms "kathoey" or "ladyboy" are rather ambiguous, simply put, both terms refer to someone born a male, but who dresses as and adopts the mannerisms and identity of a woman.
Are ladyboys accepted in Thai culture? ›
Thailand is Filled with Lady Boys.
Most times they are easy to pick out of a crowd, though some have had so much work done or had such a feminine physique to begin with that it's tough to identify them. Lady boys are extremely popular in Thailand, working in every legitimate part of society.
What age is Ladyboys of Bangkok for? ›
Is the show suitable for children? The show is produced for an adult audience – it's funny, it's sexy, but never crude and we do not show nudity. As of 2017 the minimum age limit is 18 and photo ID will be asked for.
Can ladyboys get periods? ›
PMAB periods & hormone cycles
Some trans people presumed male at birth (PMAB) report that, upon starting feminising hormones, they experience a regular and varying hormonal cycle. Little research has been done on this phenomenon, but it can still exist and affect people's lives.
Are the ladyboys of Bangkok all men? ›
So what is the Lady Boys of Bangkok? A cabaret show like no other - each of the ridiculously beautiful performers are actually male Thai nationals.
What parts do ladyboys have? ›
Ladyboys or “katoey” are people who were born male but have chosen to be identified as a female. They dress and appear as a female. They often have breast augmentation and take estrogen to enhance their feminine features. Some go so far as having their male genitalia surgically removed and go through “reconstruction”.
How long does ladyboys last? ›
Running Time: 1 hour 40 minutes - approximate, including any interval(s).
Thailand is known as the Land of Smiles, but it's also know as the Land of the Ladyboys! Compared to other countries, like the Philippines or Malaysia, Thailand has a long history and higher population of ladyboys in the world.
Are their ladyboys in Vietnam? ›
Vietnam's ladyboys, known as pe de, have long earned an income from performing at events like funerals, one of the few ways they could make some money given LGBTI people more generally are often forced into narrow roles.
Why Thai boys become ladyboys? ›
The presence of a significant transgender population in Thailand can be attributed to a combination of cultural, societal, and historical factors: Tolerance and Acceptance: Thai culture has historically been more accepting and tolerant of gender diversity compared to some other societies.
What is a tomboy in Thailand? ›
In a Thai linguistic practice that emerged in the 1970s, female-bodied individuals who hold a masculine identity, or are marked as masculine by others, are called “tom,” a term that is derived from the English word “tomboy.” Toms are paired, both linguistically and romantically, with feminine-identified women who are ...
Are ladyboys drag queens? ›
There is a performative aspect to the way drag artists use dressing up as the opposite sex (often in exaggerated tones), whereas being a ladyboy is a state of being, akin to transgenderism: “We are this way all the time.” Nor is the term, necessarily, derogatory – although it may feel that way to a casual observer.
Where are the most ladyboys in the world? ›
Thailand is known as the Land of Smiles, but it's also know as the Land of the Ladyboys! Compared to other countries, like the Philippines or Malaysia, Thailand has a long history and higher population of ladyboys in the world.
Are the ladyboys of Bangkok drag queens? ›
I was surprised by this because I always thought they were trans women, but now it transpired that they were, in fact, drag queens. Upon watching the show, however, I realised that most of the stars were, indeed, trans women – not just men dressed up as women.
What is Thailand most known for? ›
Thailand is famous for some of the most stunning natural sights, notably its beaches and islands. With almost 1,000 islands and 2,400 km of coastline, Thailand's beaches offer diving, nightlife, partying, romantic getaways, and more.
