Shemale: Thailand

When traveling through Thailand, you will likely encounter individuals who identify neither as male nor female in the conventional Western sense. Often referred to colloquially as “Thai shemales,” the culturally accurate and respectful term is Kathoey (often pronounced ka-too-ee ).

While many Westerners associate Kathoey with cabaret shows (like the famous Tiffany’s Show in Pattaya) or Thai soap operas, this is a limited view. In Thai culture, Kathoey is widely recognized as a third gender . Many Thai people accept the concept of more than two genders, and Kathoey individuals can be found in all professions—from shop assistants and flight attendants to Muay Thai boxers and politicians. thailand shemale

Here is what you need to know to understand this integral part of Thai society. When traveling through Thailand, you will likely encounter

Learn more: Consider watching the documentary “The Third Gender” or reading “Toms and Dees” by Megan Sinnott for a deeper academic dive into Thai gender variance. In Thai culture, Kathoey is widely recognized as