What exactly is a Thai Katoey?
A Thai katoey or ladyboy is actually a transgender Thai male who lives his life
as a woman. In Thailand, they’re also better known as phyuing prophet song which
means “a second kind of woman”.
The history of katoeys dates as far back to WWII when the Thais entertained the
soldiers in theatrical productions. At that time, Thai women were not allowed to
perform in public so the men dressed up as ladies for the female roles.
Ladyboys have been an integral part of the Thai culture for centuries. The prevalent
belief, until the beginning of the last century, was that there were 3 original
sexes. Katoeys – The Third Sex, are not prejudiced against in Thai society mostly
because it is a Buddhist country, and the essence of Buddhism is about tolerance.
More beautiful then a real Thai woman. Ladyboys have the perfect measurements and
their beauty are the envy of many women. The men and the women are hypnotized
and stare in awe. Katoeys are often identified at a young age and are considered
to be born the third sex.
With well-paid work in Television or cabaret beckoning, Thai village families who
used to send their daughters off to Bangkok to earn money for their families are
now encouraging their sons to become Katoeys. A Thai television show or soap opera
isn’t complete without a katoey or two. There are katoeys in most villages, and
beauty contests for the most beautiful ladyboys in Thailand. Pagents are commonly
held, drawing hundreds of patrons. The most extravagant ladyboy cabarets are the Miss Tiffany and
Miss Alcazar. The Tiffany, Alcazar and Simon Cabaret shows draw hundreds of thousands of admirers from all
over the world to see the extravagant Vegas type shows and so wholesome that they’re
billed as family entertainment
IN 1996, a men’s volleyball team composed mostly of gays and katoeys won the Thai
national championship, against all odds, and were portrayed in two Thai movies called
Satree Lek and Satree Lek 2 (Iron Ladies and the sequal, Iron Ladies 2). Among the
most famous katoey in Thailand is Nong Tum, a former champion Thai kickboxer who
emerged into the public eye in 1998. Nong Tum went from champion kickboxer to being
a transsexual and was portrayed in the movie Beautiful Boxer. In the later years
in the ring, as a champion cross-dressing boxer, Tum would kiss his opponents on
the cheek after reducing their ego to a bloody mess on the floor.
In 2004 Chiang Mai Technology school allocated a separate restroom for katoeys,
with an intertwined male and female symbol on the door.
For many foreigners coming to Thailand, ladyboys (aka women of the send category) are one of the phenomena that puts the “amazing”
in the slogan “Amazing Thailand”.
