Thailand is definitely a place that will teach you to look at the world from a different perspective. Just because I may look at that view as something different than my own does not mean it is wrong. These are just one aspect of how Thai way of life is so different from that of the west and really teaches you to respect views that may be different from you own. The truth is that with Thailand being a Buddhist culture Kathoeys are seen as people who are reincarnated that way because of transgressions from a past life, same goes with being gay therefore they are pitied rather than looked down upon. You may ask yourself whether Kathoeys are viewed and treated as males or females in Thai culture. Even though this blog might not provide a lot of proof, ladyboys are included in many other areas of Thai culture. I apologize for my lack of photographic representations of non-performer ladyboys, but I tend not to take pictures of strangers on the street as it would probably make them feel awkward and as if some tourist wanted to exploit them for being “different”. Just like in American and other parts of western society, Transgender individuals can work in a variety of different careers, live in all different areas and be from different socio-economic statuses. Asia Technology is known for being the only school in Thailand that allowed Kathoeys to have a separate bathroom, as most of Thailand makes Kathoeys use male restrooms. Once, I had a Kathoey as a tour guide in a museum, as well as taught a few of them in a class at Asia Technology College when I was in my TEFL course. Kathoeys can be seen working in shops or areas of tourism and hospitality. Not all Kathoeys are entertainers who don elaborate stage makeup, revealing clothing and dance on stage for tips at the local cabaret. The truth about Thailand is that your allowed to be anyone you want to be as long as you are a good person, as it is a predominant accepting Buddhist society. Thais are just overall a very tolerant and non-violent culture. Some people will still say that being a ladyboy (or even being gay) is still a shame to the familial unit, but Thailand is a very conservative culture (more conservative than the states) and there are far less hate crimes towards gays and ladyboys than there are in America. Kathoeys are actually an accepted part of the culture, respected in the workplace and as members of Thai society. I know Thailand and Ladyboys are very much associated with one another as they are an integrated part of the culture here, but there are a lot of misconceptions from the western world.Ī Thai person described to me that here there are three genders in Thailand man, woman and ladyboy. “Have you seen any ladyboys?” is a question people always want to know the answer to. I’m not sure if everyone else who has come to Thailand has had this same curiousities from family and friends back home as I have, but it seems to be an incessant topic that the people still have a weird obsession with. One aspect of Thailand that always interested me as well as the majority of the western world are the ladyboys (or Kathoeys) and how exactly they fit into Thai culture.
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