Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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?

OP posts:
Original poster
Cocoflower · 05/09/2011 19:35

Sorry to hear that Scarlet :(

OP posts:
ScarletLady01 · 05/09/2011 13:10

I think if it was more tolerated here more people would DEFINITELY come out. My sister is transgender and some of the hate and prejudice she's experienced in this country is disgusting.

Original poster
Cocoflower · 05/09/2011 12:59

So there isn't a higher amount in Thailand due to any psycholgical, sociological or biological reasons as such then compared to the rest of the world?

It is more to do with the tolerance?

OP posts:
kelly2000 · 05/09/2011 12:47

I do not think they do it for the money. Although there are a lot of transgender people in the entertainment and sex industry which is very visable, I think this is more because there are not a lot of other opportunities as they are still discriminated against- it is not common to see transgender teachers, doctors, lawyers etc. The average sex worker does not earn a lot in Thailand and are in great danger, and a lot of them are from the very poorest regions, or from neighbouring countries where they are also in poverty. There was a story recently about an airline that is putting in quotas to ensure they hire transgender people to help end this discrimination.
I think if it was more tolerated here, more people would feel they could be open. I do not see it as men changing to women, rather than women being born in the wrong bodies and getting that corrected. I also remember reading somewhere that as society becomes more open about this there will be more and more women under going gender reassignment

Original poster
Cocoflower · 05/09/2011 10:40

Thanks I will look at Peter Jackson.

So do you think if it was tolerated more in the UK there really would be higher number of men changing to women?

Do you think some do it purely for money alone?
I suppose it helps that physically they can pull off looking like women (who many men seem to admit are quite attractive) far more easily than western men.

OP posts:
BarryKent · 05/09/2011 04:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HengshanRoad · 05/09/2011 04:18

I'm not exactly sure, but I think there are several reasons. Firstly, since transexualism is accepted in Thailand, more people with transgender tendencies "come out" as they know they won't be persecuted for it. Secondly, because there is a thriving sex industry in which transgendered people can find work, it becomes an attractive economic option.