When I told my friends that I plan a longer stay in Thailand, that answer is amazing how stupid many times I've heard the same - "for them ladyboys! Watch" Over and over I heard these really stupid comments until did not begin to rub. Everyone makes the same stupid joke, like intelligent and original. What a ridiculous stereotype of Thailand, I thought. As if to take it with Lady Boys everywhere.
The funny thing is that once I moved to Thailand,I soon discovered that ladyboys or Katoeys known in Thailand as they are, are really everywhere. It is not just a handful of them work in tourist areas. You can see them working in shops and restaurants. Even if you go to the country, is Katoeys. They are really everywhere.
In fact, I had not been here long before you have personal knowledge, a katoey. One of the things I noticed was how comfortable other Thais were in her company. StraightThai people are very happy to let his compliments for her how beautiful she enter. They all called her "she", as it is gentle, and made them happy.
Personally, I was a little 'uncomfortable in his presence. I was not afraid, they would jump on me. He was a pleasant and balanced. I was just a little 'uncertain how to deal with it. It was a fascinating way of Thais treated her that soon put at ease.
What is a katoey?
What exactly is aKatoey? I've had this discussion with some friends recently, Western. Both live in Phuket and they both said that only one name, if someone is a katoey, they have sex change surgery behind him, otherwise you should use the term Ladyboy. This seems like a Western invention prize. Katoey is a Thai word and that's not how it is used.
Thais use the term much in progress. You use the term for any man who acts like a woman. Transgender male is probably the closest English term. MenKatoeys gender change surgery. So, those who create the female hormone attributes like taking the breast. Thus, those who dress like a woman. Even gay men who put on a little 'and some are described as Volant Katoeys.
Why so many Katoeys in Thailand?
According to this definition, there is certainly much Katoeys in Thailand. Why is this phenomenon more common than in other countries? It seems unlikely thatis a genetic reason for Thailand to other countries, men have more transgender. I think the reason is still much to do with the tolerant attitude of the Thais.
There are many katoey TV stars, singers and models. They also katoey beauty contests. There have been many films of this type from the katoey "Beautiful Boxer", which is the true story of a katoey who became a champion Muay Thai boxer. She would often kiss her defeated opponents.
Katoeys seem to be a distantAccepted part of Thai society. This is probably partly to do with the Buddhist religion and its preaching of tolerance towards others. But other countries with a strong Buddhist influence (Cambodia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Tibet, Laos, Japan) are not known for their Lady Boys.
There must be something else at work. I think a strong factor is the Thai belief that life should be fun (Sanook) be. If they see a katoey, they think it's funny. You can laugh and joke about it, but not in a badWay. Certainly not complaining or threats occur only in Western countries.
So the main reason why many Katoeys in Thailand is so easy that Thai society is open and tolerant. One wonders how many transvestites there might in western countries if our societies are a bit 'indulgent.
How Katoeys work in Phuket?
Following the tsunami tragedy and the media feeding frenzy that ensued, a friend sent me aArticle from a British newspaper. The reporter was in Phuket and obviously struggling to compete for attention with journalists in areas hardest hit. So he did what many journalists in Phuket and started on the shady side of the local nightlife. Rather, what this had to do with the tsunami tragedy, I'm not sure.
This particular reporters seemed to be fascinated with the ladyboy scene. He made some generalizations about the nightlife in Phuket, that the whole islandwas indeed a cesspool of debauchery. He claimed that there were 5,000 ladyboys who work in the sex industry Phuket and strong demand for their services.
Where did he get this figure? It seems a very bold statement. Is there a census? Perhaps the authorities do a count ladyboy? I really doubt that it was a reliable statistic available to this reporter. Like most of his report, I think he made it just yet, but apparently saw enough ladyboys to think it was a reasonable assumption.
Phukethigh-season population is estimated that 500,000. If 5,000 of them are ladyboys then would be 1% of the population. This seems very unlikely, but not unthinkable. But he said the 5000 work in the sex industry. Where was this army of children available Madam?
Bangla Road on Soi Katoey in Patong, there are a couple of dances in front of the SOI. There are performances of another katoey bar at the back and Moulin Rouge Ladyboy. But surely, even at the highestEstimate, could not be more than 50 ladyboys working in Soi Katoey. There are maybe 30 Implementation of the Simon Cabaret Show @ Magazine - no matter that the sex industry? For the sake of argument, let's say it does. Then there is the gay neighborhood Soi Paradise. There are a couple of young lady in this area, but I believe that an estimate of 100 would be very generous.
There are a couple of freelance ladyboys fronts along the beach where annoy passing drunks. But in reality, theyIt is a very high number. Let's be generous and I'm 100th repeat any? Perhaps there are other plants around sex.
So even if we think we have a very round numbers generous guesstimate of 300 ladyboys active in the sex industry. I really think this is probably extremely generous. Many of the above figures are probably the same change Katoeys from place to place, and I think I have overestimated all my suspicions. The total number could befew as 100
So I would say somewhere between 100-300 Katoeys work in the sex industry in Phuket. Certainly not 5,000 but then a value of 100 would not be a good press.
Men and Katoeys
And as the demand for Katoeys? Is there really a lot of men who seek their services? Since its most common approach seems to try to fool people very drunk I would not want their services in great demand. I have a few men who were filled with sexual encountersKatoeys. Most of them claim it was a drunken mistake.
I met a man who announced that he was happy only two Katoeys "blown away" in his hotel room. He was very proud of themselves and certainly do not claim it was a mistake. You meet some funny characters in Patong.
I think there are some real question Katoeys. Even if they are active in the gay area, I do not think it's purely a matter gay. Even if you are like women are made, I do not think it is a rightThing. But it is difficult to define a group of men, where Katoeys attractive. Of course, there are a lot of curiosity about them. Each month, the "katoey" word in the top 20 list of search terms that people have, in our Phuket website. And we have only a small section on Katoeys.
Negative
Although Katoeys are generally well accepted in Thai society, there is a downside to their reputation. They have a reputation for bad and unreliable.I have personally met a few during my time in Thailand and I must say that outside all seemed well adjusted and happy. However, I have read many stories of Katoeys in criminal activities such as pick-pocketing and other thefts heard. They are also known to harass and threaten passers-by late at night while looking for customers along the beach fronts.
These things happen, certainly, but not the extent of the problem is clear. Both Katoeysreally commit crimes on a scale more than other Thais is hard to assess.
They have a reputation as an emotionally unbalanced too. As I said, everyone I've met have seemed fine. But I think it's fair to say that the strains of their lives is very demanding, and it is not surprising that most of them easy to lose control emotionally.
The tolerance of Katoeys in Thai society is not absolute. Their families, especially fathers, sometimes reject them. Men who in mostOther possibilities are tolerant Katoeys can still find it a shameful father.
And the authorities, even tolerance has its limits. When a katoey volleyball team won the national championship, two teams have been selected for the national team. The government has intervened and blocked their selection. They do not know what is good for the country's image.
Saving Private Tootsie
In 2002 there was a Thai movie given the English title of "Saving Private Tootsie". In this film,a plane crash strands a group of Katoeys in the jungle, war-torn neighboring country. A group of macho Thai soldiers sent to rescue them. The story revolves around the personality clashes between the cliffs and Katoeys macho men as they try to flee to the neighboring country.
In the end, everyone pulls together to bring her to the final crossing back into Thailand. The soldiers and their aversion to Katoeys by their leaders back home again after finally accepting the child,which is also a katoey.
The film is a message of tolerance, which is typical of Thai society. At the end of the film is a nice quote from one katoey. "I can be born in the wrong body, but at least I was born in the country right."
