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Original poster

To wonder why a seemingly high number of Thai Men want to become women?

32 replies

Cocoflower · 05/09/2011 03:14

Saw the end of documentary on Transgendered people and a lot of it was focusing on Thailand.

Thailand is famous for its transgendered population, with a very open culture and seemingly high percentage of men wanting to be women or have become women.

So it got me thinking; why?

Yes, there are transgenders all over the world but why such a high amount in Thailand? Or does it simply appear that way as it very accepted in their culture?

Any ideas?

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Manusje · 01/03/2025 15:26

Well let me tell you what i think. I travel now trough thailand and it shocked me how mutch bad food people are eating. A lot of seed oil with way to much omega 6 in it. And you can look it up what that does to your body. With you hart, veins and blood. Its also ensures that men produce less or no testosteron, couldn't be more coincidental if you ask me. Also the skin of young thai people look very bad.

ScarletLady01 · 06/09/2011 13:01

I agree with TiggyD - My sister knew from as far back as she can remember that she was a female. She's having her gender reassignment surgery next year and I'm SO happy for her.

BarryKent · 06/09/2011 03:04

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MillyR · 05/09/2011 21:29

Transgender people have more legal rights in the UK than in Thailand. I don't know why there is this suggestion that there is more tolerance in Thailand.

EdithWeston · 05/09/2011 21:26

And don't forget the role of the pornographers and wider sex trade traffic in this. Is our view on the numbers and perception of tolerance coloured by seeing it all through sanitised, glamourised versions of pornographic entertainment?

MillyR · 05/09/2011 21:22

I think we are putting a UK/US understanding of transgender on to an entirely different culture. Thai Kathoey generally see themselves as a type of man.

They do not usually consider themselves to be female, to have been born female or want to become female. They are simply feminine men. There is a different name for men who identify as female, but they are not a large group in the way that kathoey are.

TiggyD · 05/09/2011 21:13

I think it's more that people more comfortable about thinking about gender over there. I'm not sure what percentage of people are TG over there compared with here. It might not even be true that there are more.

Original poster
Cocoflower · 05/09/2011 21:05

So your saying there is a higher number of people born in the wrong body in Thailand? So you think the reasons are biological?

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TiggyD · 05/09/2011 21:02

It's not something they choose. It's not something they become in later life, although they might realise it later in life. The fact they are female and were from birth is very important. (I say fact because it is legally recognised, not just some loopy theory.)

Original poster
Cocoflower · 05/09/2011 20:30

Anyways... it is 'birth defect'?

Not something influenced later in life?

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Original poster
Cocoflower · 05/09/2011 20:29

That would have been a rather long tittle Tiggy

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TiggyD · 05/09/2011 20:25

It's not "men becoming women". It's 'women with a rather substantial birth defect having it corrected'.

BarryKent · 05/09/2011 20:11

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BarryKent · 05/09/2011 20:10

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BarryKent · 05/09/2011 20:09

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Original poster
Cocoflower · 05/09/2011 20:08

Good Article Yellow

And intresting quote for TG campaigner;

"Maybe the numbers of gays, of people with sexual identity issues, might be the same as in other countries," said Suttirat, "but because Thai society and culture tend to be very sweet, very soft, and the men can be really feminine, if we tend to be gay, many of us tend to be transgender." "

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yellowraincoat · 05/09/2011 20:04

An article on the bbc news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7529227.stm says that it is linked to Thailand being a very gentle, soft culture...

Fascinating subject.

Original poster
Cocoflower · 05/09/2011 20:02

I looked at an online book on Amazon

The book seemed to go along the lines that the Buddist belief means they think people are 'cursed' due to bad past lives and become transgendered

Another source on the internet suggested the opposite- that Buddishim teaches far greater tolerance?

No idea whats right- just my small research

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BarryKent · 05/09/2011 20:00

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yellowraincoat · 05/09/2011 19:58

Could it be linked to Buddhism? I think the type of Buddhism they practise in Thailand is quite different to other countries.

BarryKent · 05/09/2011 19:51

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slowshow · 05/09/2011 19:49

I was curious about this also, after reading about Thai schools having toilets for male, female and transgendered pupils.

Will have to have a read of that link Smile

BarryKent · 05/09/2011 19:49

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Original poster
Cocoflower · 05/09/2011 19:46

Im not sure.... I think a lot of the 'ladyboys' (don't flame me its a commonly used word!) are pre-op aren't they?

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EggyAllenPoe · 05/09/2011 19:43

also, is it easier to be transgender than gay there? that is to say, is there pressure on gay men to not be men? i know this to be the case in Iran...where homosexuality is a crime punishable by death but sex-change operations are completely legal. there is a culture that allows men to be entertainers so long as they are feminine and eunuch-like rather than butch and homosexual.

i do not believe Thailand to be a more tolerant place in general.