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

[Cocoflower]

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?

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.