12/2/2023 0 Comments Kathoey thailandFor many kathoeys like Jip, this was the first time they had positive kathoey role models in the national spotlight. A few years later, their story was immortalized in a film also called the “Iron Ladies,” which was the highest-ever grossing Thai film at the time. In 1996, a Thai volleyball team comprised of kathoeys known as the “Iron Ladies” shocked the country by winning the men’s national championship. She described how employers regarded kathoeys as troublemakers and sex workers, and at one job she recalls a kathoey accountant who had been asked by her boss if she was a “stripper.” While she enjoyed significant career success, she was afraid of discrimination if she was openly kathoey. Jip was fortunate to graduate from Polytechnical school and enter the field of programming as computing began to take off in 1990s. Jip both identifies with being part of Thai kathoey culture, and identifies as a transgender woman.Ĭalypso Cabaret in Bangkok, 20s: Computers and the Kathoey Volleyball Team That Shook Thailand “second type of women.” But as Jip’s story illustrates, in the last 20 years some kathoeys, inspired by the global transgender movement, have begun understanding themselves not as a gender category outside of womanhood, but as women. Many kathoeys live as effeminate/homosexual men, while others express their gender in a way closer to cisgender women, sometimes referred to as “sao bra phedt song,” i.e. For much of Buddhist and Thai history, kathoey has been seen as a “third gender” existing outside of man/woman, and as part of the natural cycle of rebirth. In Thai television there are characters written as kathoey, however, they are often playing villains. These are examples of how kathoey are still facing obstacles despite some progressive attitudes.Photo on display at Bangkok’s DJ Station LGBTQ nightclubīut before I share some of her story, it’s important to explain the term, “kathoey,” also often loosely translated to “ ladyboy.” Kathoey is a Thai gender/sexual identity with thousands of years of history, going back to Buddhist origin myths in the Tipiṭaka written in the 1st Century BC. In many traditionalist parts of Thailand there is still some stigma a friend of Kim’s who is kathoey, goes home to her rural village dressed as a man. Kim, a Thai tour guide, explained that kathoey and gay and lesbian people had “proved themselves” to be valuable members of society. It is important to point out that, although surgeries are more accessible, this does not mean that Thailand does not still have work to do in acceptance of kathoeys.ĭuring my time in Thailand, I learned that kathoey, much like trans people in the United States, were advocating for social change. Many had breasts, whether they were grown through hormones or augmentation, and they also looked to have had facial feminization surgery. Of the kathoeys I saw in Thailand, many had physical indications they were kathoey. In Thailand, unlike the United States, there are fewer barriers to accessing hormones and surgery for breast augmentation and genital surgery. However, it is important to note that overall, the kathoeys are getting recognition for their identity. Some believe that kathoey are the way they are because of a transgression in a past life, and this is cause for pity. The bhatobyanjuanaka identity’s possession of the two spirits of male and female, reflects the Buddhist beliefs regarding reincarnation. Pandaka, historically, has had somewhat negative connotations, and in essence, is a man who wears women’s clothing. This is where the ideology around kathoey evolved. However, other more modern/progressive interpretations on this subject have said that, rather than an ambiguous genitalia, bhatobyanjuanaka is about the spiritual gender. ![]() ![]() ![]() Bhatobyanjuanaka has been described as the same as intersex. Buddhism describes 4 genders male, female, pandaka, and bhatobyanjuanaka. ![]() Unlike the U.S., gender is not seen as binary. Thai Buddhism has been a huge influencing factor in the ideas surrounding gender for Thais. This can be attributed to the very foundation of their society– Buddhism. Unlike the United States, Thailand has no problem acknowledging the existence and struggle of kathoey. In some public establishments bathrooms for “kathoey” are available. Discrimination and alienation have extended to kathoey criminals, even after undergoing genital reassignment, staying in all male prisons. Media outlets have been covering kathoey rights in Thailand and this is an increasing trend as LGBT rights become more known among Thai citizens.ĭiscrimination is an issue, and finding work as kathoey can be difficult. During my time at the Sunday night market in Chiang Mai, kathoeys were out in full costumes handing out flyers and taking pictures with tourists. Kathoey cabaret shows are a part of the Thai night life.
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