Ladyboys
This entry documents my visit to Thailand last month, with a predominant focus towards the Kathoeys (more commonly referred to as Ladyboys).
I was primarily introduced to this culture via social media. The media characterises them as heavily sexual beings, placing great emphasis towards their involvement as sex workers. The locations recorded in the posts were largely those of Walking Street, Pattaya and Nana Plaza, Bangkok, which I’ve both visited.
A common misconception is that Ladyboys essentially only work in the “sex industry”, when in reality that is not the case. In Thailand, Ladyboys are found pretty much everywhere. A noteworthy example of this would be the Tiffany show. A cabaret show that exhibits impressive performances by these very Ladyboys.
On the other hand, some transgender women do not like being referred to as Ladyboys due to the connotation it has with sex workers as mentioned in a 2016 research paper authored by Dredge Byung’chu Käng. He states that “the term is considered stereotypical and offensive by some transgender women because of its relationships with sex work.”
Upon discovering Ladyboys, I was reminded of the Hijras. The Hijras, similar to the Katheoys are transgender women and are largely found in South Asia. Contrary to the Hijras, bigotry against the Ladyboy community is not as extreme. They’re actually quite adored by the Thais. Some hetero males tend to form relationships with Ladyboys.
Although, this is not always the case.
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Ladyboys are often associated with criminal behaviour because the majority of them are sex workers. A news report published by the Bangkok Post reported the daily prejudices Ladyboys encounter. Ladyboys are sometimes stopped and monitored by the Thai police.
An interview conducted with Ms Thitiyanun, a social worker of the Sisters, a health counselling centre reveals that “In Walking Street they only arrest ladyboy freelance sex workers, not the women. My main concern is the non-sex worker Ladyboys. The Tourist Police and volunteers who set up a desk in front of the main entrance of the street will keep their eyes on any ladyboy who enters the street.”
This report was published in 2013. Significant Improvements seem to have been made ever since, with Thailand’s first transgender MP in 2019.
Makeup and fashion amongst the Katheoys is diverse. There is great Western influence, drag being particularly significant in most Ladyboys. Nevertheless, makeup and fashion ranges depending on one’s own preferences, there is no stereotypical “ladyboy makeup or fashion.”
My visit to Thailand was truly indelible, the Ladyboys being the height of my stay there. A culture so exquisite and expressive. The acceptance of Ladyboys in Thailand shows us third-world countries, there is potential to improve current conditions for members of the LGBTQIA+ community in our countries. We must persevere to eradicate or at least try to minimize the bigotry against them.
REFERENCES
Kang, Dredge. (2016). Ladyboys. 10.1002/9781118663219.wbegss311.
Kang, D. B. (2019). Kathoey. Global Encyclopedia of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) History.
