Thailand is known for it’s lively exotic culture. One part of this is the country’s kathoey (ladyboys). Although many people snigger at these transgender women, kathoey are accepted and integrated into Thai society.
Most of them work in the bars and go-go clubs. It can be difficult to tell a Kathoey from a regular woman, but there are some signs you can look for.
1. Massages
Ladyboys are one of Thailand’s major attractions. They are a popular feature in cabarets, and they can be seen everywhere else: TV shows, advertisements, and movies. They’re beautiful, exotic, and they put on a show that’s hard to miss.
The reason why they’re so well-known is that they’re often engaged in sexual activities with customers. As a result, they’re at high risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. They’re also at high risk for exploitation and abuse because they’re often used as laborers and don’t receive the same legal protections as other people.
While in Europe, we tend to call them transgender women or transvestites, the Thais use a different word: kathoey. This word means a man who dresses like a woman and behaves like a girl, but it doesn’t mean they’re gay. It’s actually quite the opposite, because kathoeys believe that being born as a kathoey is a punishment for something they’ve done in their past life.
When you’re in Thailand, the best way to spot a kathoey is to look at their eyes. Unlike real girls, kathoeys’ eyes have a wider, rounder shape to them. The next thing to check is their height. While real girls are usually around 160 cm tall, kathoeys are usually much taller. They’re also more muscular than real girls, so their shoulders are wider and their hips are narrower.
2. Phuket
Known as Kathoey in Thailand, ladyboys are a common sight throughout the country. They can be seen in a variety of places from beauty pageants and reality shows to bars and go-go clubs. Despite their increasing visibility, many people still have little knowledge about the transgender community in Thailand.
Ladyboys are usually recognized by their feminine characteristics such as larger breasts, smaller noses and chins, broad shoulders, and rounder eyes. They often wear a lot of makeup and are highly skilled in pleasuring men. They also have a deeper voice than men. Moreover, they are very confident and love to show off their curves.
While there are some kathoeys who use their careers as a means of making money for a surgery to change their gender, most consider it a hobby. Some even use it as a way to meet men who might take them back to their countries where they can get the necessary legal paperwork for full gender reassignment.
However, the vast majority of kathoeys are employed in entertainment venues such as beer bars, massage salons and go-go clubs. This is because the wages they earn are higher than those offered in other sectors. As a result, they are the most visible transgender population in Thailand. Despite the positive advances in recent years, transgender people still face discrimination and poverty.
3. Parties
If you haven’t noticed yet, Ladyboys are a big part of Thai culture. They’re all over the place, from beauty pageants to fashion shows. Often the lines between a female and a Ladyboy can be blurred, especially for straight people who aren’t familiar with their community. In these cases, it’s not uncommon to accidentally make a move on a Ladyboy when you should have been paying more attention. This could lead to a range of emotions from mild embarrassment to disgust, depending on how far you went. If this is the case, don’t be afraid to compliment her on how beautiful she looks and apologize for any misunderstandings.
In general, Kathoey are accepted and even celebrated in Thai society. However, they do face some issues including violence in the form of sex trafficking and prostitution gangs. In addition, they can be at a higher risk of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases because of their frequent participation in unprotected anal sex. They also take a lot of hormones and drugs to inhibit male characteristics, which can result in rapid ageing and obesity.
It’s important for travelers to be aware of these issues when encountering a Ladyboy. Outsiders often perceive them as slutty Asian prostitutes, with their tight fitting clothes and large breasts. But in reality, many kathoey are as ordinary as anyone else.
4. Nightlife
When it comes to nightlife, kathoey make the perfect partner for a wild time. They are known for their beauty, exoticness and love to put on a show for their audience. They are a staple in Thailand’s entertainment industry and you can find them on stage, on TV or even on the street. Their sexy, tight dresses and big breasts draw attention from all walks of life. Despite this, they are still considered outsiders and often subject to discrimination and harassment.
The outside world views kathoey as slutty Asian prostitutes. The cleavage they display is not always real, so don’t be fooled! If you want to spot a ladyboy on the streets, look for narrow shoulders and broad hips, but don’t rely on spotting an Adam’s apple – there are procedures that can alter that.
If you’re curious to know if someone is a kathoey, it’s best to approach them with an introduction and ask about their identity politely. It’s also important not to assume a person’s gender based on appearance, as transgender people are very well accepted in Thailand. However, in some rural areas of the country, they are still not accepted and have to hide their identities. This is why you’re less likely to see them in the countryside. It’s for this reason that kathoey usually live in Bangkok and other large cities in the country.