When playing a word association game, Bangkok is almost always followed by the term “Lady Boys,” followed by a story of how a mutual friend accidentally made the mistake of innocently hooking up with one.
There is more to the history of Bangkok’s transgender community than your friend’s drunken story. Here’s everything you ever wanted to know about lady boys.
Who Are They?
Ladyboys, aka “kathoeys,” are an import part of Thailand’s thriving transgender community. Simply put, they are biological men who choose to dress in feminine attire. Some do it for fun while others have a strong connection to the female gender identity. Thais began identifying as transgender as early as the 14th century, only it wasn’t until much later that Western stigmas reached Thailand.
Why Does It Matter?
If you are a fan of our site, you probably share our beliefs in freedom of expression. The significance of Bangkok’s lady boys is not their choices but the Thai attitude to the transgender community. Some part of the world are still reluctant to accept the LGBTQ+ community, but the community supports lady boys and various forms of gender expression. That is not to say Thailand is perfect though, there is still a way to go in terms of laws.