I've heard a lot about Thailand's friendliness towards gays and transsexuals, but for the latter, I don't think I've ever seen them employed anywhere other than in the sex districts, well that and hearing about them as pickpockets/thieves. I'm just wondering what their employment prospects really are in Thailand. Do they get treated like any other worker, or are they relegated to the sex industry and petty crime?

Don't know where you have been but go into a hundred and one shops or businesses and you will find "lady boys"

They work in shops as "flower arrangers, optometrist shop assistants, waiters in many restaurants and hotels, hotel receptionists, computer technicians, airline cabin staff" the list is infinite.....and there is probably no particular enterprise that they cannot be found in.

Edited December 29, 200817 yr by john b good

the sales director for Volvo in Phuket is a Ladyboy... didnt notice at first those

They can be found everywhere except as Tour Guides, I think the govt revoked that afew years ago. Something about image of the country... I think.

Where do ladyboys go to die?

Yes, I see them everywhere, but not many past the age of 40ish.

Do they have a short life expectancy or do they reach a certain point when they decide to revert back - difficult for some I imagine?

there is an older one i see in Naklua,not a pretty sight

Some people would actually be surprised at how well some of them blend in, what jobs they do, how successful they are, not to mention what a great outlook on life many of them have, despite being wedged somewhere between two 'alleged norms'.

I read an article somewhere that suggested that there is hundreds of thousands of ladyboys in Thailand, I can imagine only a very small percentage of them would work 'on the street' & an even much smaller percentage would be stealing from pockets. I guess the fewer minority group spoil it for the rest, sound familiar?

I actually know of one LB that lives near me that is often propositioned by thai men who fail to believe her claim that she is a katoey.

Anyway, my hat's off to them, I hate to be the one listening to all the smart @rsed comments.

Some people would actually be surprised at how well some of them blend in, what jobs they do, how successful they are, not to mention what a great outlook on life many of them have, despite being wedged somewhere between two 'alleged norms'.

I read an article somewhere that suggested that there is hundreds of thousands of ladyboys in Thailand, I can imagine only a very small percentage of them would work 'on the street' & an even much smaller percentage would be stealing from pockets. I guess the fewer minority group spoil it for the rest, sound familiar?

I actually know of one LB that lives near me that is often propositioned by thai men who fail to believe her claim that she is a katoey.

Anyway, my hat's off to them, I hate to be the one listening to all the smart @rsed comments.

Really?

I've known some pretty shocked Pattaya potato heads . . . "fowt it was a bird . . . really!"

I think most of them work for TV companies

Some people would actually be surprised at how well some of them blend in, what jobs they do, how successful they are, not to mention what a great outlook on life many of them have, despite being wedged somewhere between two 'alleged norms'.

I read an article somewhere that suggested that there is hundreds of thousands of ladyboys in Thailand, I can imagine only a very small percentage of them would work 'on the street' & an even much smaller percentage would be stealing from pockets. I guess the fewer minority group spoil it for the rest, sound familiar?

I actually know of one LB that lives near me that is often propositioned by thai men who fail to believe her claim that she is a katoey.

Anyway, my hat's off to them, I hate to be the one listening to all the smart @rsed comments.

Really?

I've known some pretty shocked Pattaya potato heads . . . "fowt it was a bird . . . really!"

Keywords MJP "Pattaya potato heads"

I doubt the "anesthetist" was an MD. More likely the nurse. In Thailand, there isn't the same compliance level as there is in many western nations that require a qualified MD to provide the anesthesia for a hernia procedure. It's not that much different than in the west where a GP will perform cosmetic surgery with local anesthesia. Drives the college of physicians and surgeons in the various western countries batty. Which brings me to my contrary view as to them being everywhere. I have yet to come across any of these people employed as physicians, research scientists, senior government or foreign service officials or as senior management as in COO, CFO, CEO of large MNEs or local Thai companies. Just because one sees them in the service industries or in white collar positions, doesn't mean they are in certain professions or jobs. They may not be visibly persecuted in western eyes, but they are not taken seriously by the people that can have an impact on their careers.

No doubt there will be those that disagree with me and say I'm have it wrong, but I cannot think of one transgender in the positions I mentioned. Gay & lesbian, yes, but not katoey. And of all the places to find one, it would be the applied research scientists, where being "different" is normal.

How many of the people claiming that they are in every job and social position actually dine at these private country clubs or socialize with the upper strata of Thai society and would be able to say otherwise? When you are out on the golf course with a couple of those lawyers or big execs, or doctors, do you honestly think their views and attitudes are any different than in the west? They don't care for them and they work on different levels. Humans are humans, and they still have the same fears and tendancy for pettiness. Anything different is an avenue for the putdown.

They can be found everywhere except as Tour Guides, I think the govt revoked that afew years ago. Something about image of the country... I think.

Rubbish, The ladyboy in the house opposite me works as a tour guide, she is pulling in around 30,000baht a month, speaks fluent French, which she has a master in.

It is challenging for TS people in the west to attain the highest level positions as well. Of course, discrimination exists here. People who think Thailand is a paradise for Thai gays and Thai TS people don't know what they are talking about.

Edited December 29, 200817 yr by Jingthing

I doubt the "anesthetist" was an MD. More likely the nurse. In Thailand, there isn't the same compliance level as there is in many western nations that require a qualified MD to provide the anesthesia for a hernia procedure. It's not that much different than in the west where a GP will perform cosmetic surgery with local anesthesia. Drives the college of physicians and surgeons in the various western countries batty. Which brings me to my contrary view as to them being everywhere. I have yet to come across any of these people employed as physicians, research scientists, senior government or foreign service officials or as senior management as in COO, CFO, CEO of large MNEs or local Thai companies. Just because one sees them in the service industries or in white collar positions, doesn't mean they are in certain professions or jobs. They may not be visibly persecuted in western eyes, but they are not taken seriously by the people that can have an impact on their careers.

No doubt there will be those that disagree with me and say I'm have it wrong, but I cannot think of one transgender in the positions I mentioned. Gay & lesbian, yes, but not katoey. And of all the places to find one, it would be the applied research scientists, where being "different" is normal.

How many of the people claiming that they are in every job and social position actually dine at these private country clubs or socialize with the upper strata of Thai society and would be able to say otherwise? When you are out on the golf course with a couple of those lawyers or big execs, or doctors, do you honestly think their views and attitudes are any different than in the west? They don't care for them and they work on different levels. Humans are humans, and they still have the same fears and tendancy for pettiness. Anything different is an avenue for the putdown.

I have to agree with you.

It is challenging for TS people in the west to attain the highest level positions as well. Of course, discrimination exists here. People who think Thailand is a paradise for Thai gays and Thai TS people don't know what they are talking about.

Yes and no. I would say it is more acceptable here than back in the states. No it is not a paradise, but it may be a paradise when compared to other countries.

AND NO, I am not speaking with first hand experience. I just see tons and tons of LB's around, and where I come from that would NEVER happen.

Dakkar and geriatrickid take a closer look at some of the people holding grade 8 and above positions in some of the provincial HQ’s. You may be surprised what you find.

Good question.

Do most ladyboys revert back to femalehood after they begin to age?

Revert back to female? <deleted> planet are u from?

Uranus.

I doubt the "anesthetist" was an MD. More likely the nurse. In Thailand, there isn't the same compliance level as there is in many western nations that require a qualified MD to provide the anesthesia for a hernia procedure. It's not that much different than in the west where a GP will perform cosmetic surgery with local anesthesia. Drives the college of physicians and surgeons in the various western countries batty. Which brings me to my contrary view as to them being everywhere. I have yet to come across any of these people employed as physicians, research scientists, senior government or foreign service officials or as senior management as in COO, CFO, CEO of large MNEs or local Thai companies. Just because one sees them in the service industries or in white collar positions, doesn't mean they are in certain professions or jobs. They may not be visibly persecuted in western eyes, but they are not taken seriously by the people that can have an impact on their careers.

No doubt there will be those that disagree with me and say I'm have it wrong, but I cannot think of one transgender in the positions I mentioned. Gay & lesbian, yes, but not katoey. And of all the places to find one, it would be the applied research scientists, where being "different" is normal.

How many of the people claiming that they are in every job and social position actually dine at these private country clubs or socialize with the upper strata of Thai society and would be able to say otherwise? When you are out on the golf course with a couple of those lawyers or big execs, or doctors, do you honestly think their views and attitudes are any different than in the west? They don't care for them and they work on different levels. Humans are humans, and they still have the same fears and tendancy for pettiness. Anything different is an avenue for the putdown.

I agree with you as well. I have not seen them employed as physicians anywhere.

any Central Department store on the make up counter you can find loads.

Mate, you know far too much about this! What are you doing trawling the make up counters??

I've seen a *lot* of TV/TS types working in the medical industry here- even more if you include the group which dresses to 'fit in' during office hours but is clearly over the gender line.

There are huge numbers in sales, marketing, design, the tourist industry, and every possible variety of beauty product/service industry. A lot in government jobs- restaurants, bars, and hair salons are favoured locations, as are the transportation industry and even the post office. Universities and schools are full of teachers, faculty, and administrative staff (including the highest positions) from this group.

I think the list would be shorter if we were trying to find jobs that they are culturally forbidden to take.

How many of the people claiming that they are in every job and social position actually dine at these private country clubs or socialize with the upper strata of Thai society and would be able to say otherwise? When you are out on the golf course with a couple of those lawyers or big execs, or doctors, do you honestly think their views and attitudes are any different than in the west? They don't care for them and they work on different levels. Humans are humans, and they still have the same fears and tendancy for pettiness. Anything different is an avenue for the putdown.

Actually, I often "dine at these private country clubs and socialize with the upper strata of Thai society," and I do know of a few katoeys and at least two very butch lesbians. Our factory has one of the women, who comes from a hiso family, in a high position of authority. She is very good at her job and is extremely popular with the work force. The other woman has her own mid-sized company. Of the katoeys I have met, I only really know one, and while he is richer than sin, he really doesn't have a real job but spends his time resurrecting various aspects of Thai culture.

In our factory of 700, though, I can only think of one katoey who works on the factory floor.

I've seen a *lot* of TV/TS types working in the medical industry here- even more if you include the group which dresses to 'fit in' during office hours but is clearly over the gender line.

There are huge numbers in sales, marketing, design, the tourist industry, and every possible variety of beauty product/service industry. A lot in government jobs- restaurants, bars, and hair salons are favoured locations, as are the transportation industry and even the post office. Universities and schools are full of teachers, faculty, and administrative staff (including the highest positions) from this group.

I think the list would be shorter if we were trying to find jobs that they are culturally forbidden to take.

Monk or MaeChi seem to be out .... but other than that I don't know of any that are culturally taboo occupations for LB's

As for geriatr...'s always interesting take on things .. I think he needs to get out more!

Where do ladyboys go to die?

Yes, I see them everywhere, but not many past the age of 40ish.

Do they have a short life expectancy or do they reach a certain point when they decide to revert back - difficult for some I imagine?

There was an "old" one in Pattaya that came around the bars selling some strange fruit. When she was young, probably very attractive, but then just sad.

I always wonder where all the ex "bar workers" go. They surely can't all get married to rich farangs, so where do they go, even the young ones? I always look out for my past TGFs, but never see them again. I just can't imagine them wanting to go plant rice for a pittance, while still attractive enough to work the bar scene.

They can be found everywhere except as Tour Guides, I think the govt revoked that afew years ago. Something about image of the country... I think.

About 2 years ago in Chang Mia, I did the long neck tribe, golden triangle tour, and our tour guide was a lady boy....

well we know the good looking ones all work in advertising/soap shows..

How to spot them?

They're the hottest women on billboards+soap shows. Srsly everytime theres a soap on tv and i say wow wow wow and meh, its lb,lb,lb,real girl

cosmectic billboard same same.