What Thai words are being used to describe being gay, transgender, etc. I am especially interested in the particular connotations of different words.

Hi there..

Try posting on the Language Forum too.. you'll probably get some good answers there too..

Chris P.

There's a paperback book called 'Thai for Gay Tourists' by Saksit Pakdeesiam, published by Paiboon Publishing, which has addresses in Berkeley, California, and Bangkok. I bought my copy in London, but I think it is available in Bangkok. This has short articles on a variety of subjects (not very impressive), but it is mainly a dictionary of words used by Thais and Thai gays in connection with sex. It gives the English, a transliteration and the Thai word or expression (in Thai script) for almost any sexual and physical expression and a lot of gay slang. It tries to distinguish between the various levels of vulgarity or offensiveness of the Thai words. Two warnings: it is VERY explicit, so not for the faint-hearted or very fastidious; I am not recommending it's accuracy or correctness. I have seen doubts about it's accuracy expressed on another forum. Another point: it seems to have the Thai for all sorts of things that I'm pretty sure only a handful of Thais would ever consider doing!

I've just reread my post, but too late to correct those awful 'it's' to 'its'. Apologies to those who are as sensitive about these matters as I am myself!

Here's a dictionary of Thai gay words. Not all of them will be of much practical use, but it's worth a look.

The website author is Bryan Suphawut, who has contributed pages on the Thai language to wikipedia.com, and done much work on the dictionary at thai-language.com.

http://suphawut.com/gvb/gayly/thai_gay_cul..._gay_vocabs.htm

The equivalent word for homosexual is 'rak ruam ped' (love same sex). It's kinda technical term used by mad shrinks (especially those homophobia). I personally think 'gay' is the safe word to use. Asking 'are you gay?' is ok because it sounds more like 'do you like men?'. But asking 'are you rak-ruam-ped?' sounds more like 'are you sick?' to me.

There is no direct equivalent to transgender that I know of though. It might be something like 'kra-toey pah laew' (already operated ladyboys).

Best way is not to categorized them at all. Think of them as a free spirit. As long as they are not tied down (married), they can do anything they like 'in private'.

Is it necessary to put people in labelled basket?

I like and agree with what you posted, -jr-. I think, if you are serious about it, "Rak Ruam Pade", though technical/medical Thai term, is discriminating and misleading since it focuses only on the act of having sexual intercourse. However, it seems it is has been used as a norm when addressing homosexual formally in Thailand. The words, in literal sense, is not appropriate, IMHO, but I can't come up with any thing better and comprehensive in Thai either.

Also, about transgender, I think a probably more polite word is "Sao Prapade Song" (woman of the second kind). This would, of course, encompass both transvestites and transexuals. I am sure there is a vocab for each out there, but probably not as widely used or known as Sao Prapade Song.

I don't like labelling either, because it relies too much on stereotype, but you have to admit it serves its purpose.