What Is It Like Being a Thai Transgender Woman Working in Bangkok? A Candid Interview With Chuta

A 29-year-old Bangkok-born transgender woman named Chuta says one of her biggest challenges today is financial pressure. She works as a facility coordinator earning about 20,000 baht per month and is considering part-time freelance sex work as a way to earn additional money, while also hoping to find love, eventually marry and build a better life.

Why is it difficult for Chuta to earn enough money in Bangkok?

Chuta says her current salary is approximately 20,000 baht per month, after previously earning around 15,000 baht following university.

She works as a facility coordinator, handling reception and front-office administrative responsibilities. She says she cannot complain about the job because it provides an income, but she would ultimately prefer work that allows her to earn more while working less.

She describes finances as one of the hardest parts of her life today.

Her expenses include food, transportation, rent, mobile-phone costs and personal-care products. She estimates that she can use most or all of her monthly salary simply covering normal living expenses.

She therefore sees additional income as attractive.

Why is Chuta considering freelance sex work?

Chuta says she has considered sex work as a part-time income source, rather than as her primary career.

She explains that she likes sex and believes this type of work could potentially provide additional income without consuming as much energy as her regular job.

She specifically discusses the idea of working after her normal job and estimates that, hypothetically, freelance work might provide another 10,000–20,000 baht per month.

She says the motivation is financial rather than simply sexual.

The interview does not establish that she has actually begun doing sex work. At the time of the interview, she is discussing whether she might do it.

Has Chuta experienced discrimination as a transgender woman in Thailand?

Yes. Chuta says she experienced difficulties because of being transgender, particularly while growing up and looking for employment.

She believes Thai society can be old-fashioned and says transgender women can face judgment based on their appearance, clothing and how other people perceive them.

She also believes employers may worry that transgender employees could be perceived as too feminine, too sexual or otherwise unsuitable for an office environment.

She presents these explanations as her personal opinion and experience.

How did Chuta’s family react when she came out as transgender?

Chuta says her parents initially had difficulty accepting her.

She is an only child, and her father was a policeman. She believes her father’s position created additional social pressure because people could make comments about having a transgender child.

She recalls that her father was angry or upset at times, but she does not describe him physically abusing her. Instead, she says she could see that he was suffering emotionally.

Eventually, her parents accepted her.

She says the process took a long time—approximately 18 years.

When did Chuta first know she wanted to be a woman?

Chuta says she recognized this feeling when she was very young, around first grade.

She remembers wanting to dress like a woman and taking her mother’s clothing and cosmetics.

She says the feeling of wanting to be a woman came before any romantic or sexual interest in men.

This distinction is important to her: she describes her gender identity as something she recognized in childhood rather than something that resulted from dating men.

Did Chuta have to hide her identity at school?

Yes.

Chuta attended an all-boys primary school and later went to a mixed high school. She says Thai school rules required boys to maintain short hair and wear men’s clothing, making it difficult for her to express herself openly.

She says she did not feel comfortable presenting herself that way.

University was different because she found the environment more open and met other transgender people.

Was Chuta bullied because she was transgender?

She says she experienced bullying, although she learned to become less concerned about what other people thought.

Some people told her to leave or made derogatory comments toward her. She says this was difficult initially, but eventually she came to understand that she could not make everyone love or accept her.

Her conclusion was that she needed to focus on herself.

How did Chuta’s parents eventually accept her?

According to Chuta, acceptance happened gradually.

Her mother initially treated her dressing as a girl almost like a joke. However, when Chuta reached high school, the issue became more serious because her parents began worrying about her future.

They were concerned about whether she would have a difficult life because of discrimination.

Eventually, Chuta says they accepted her.

She now believes parents should learn to support their children rather than expect every child to follow a conventional path.

What happened when Chuta started taking hormones?

Chuta says she began taking hormones at approximately 18 years old.

Initially, she says she used birth-control pills after receiving advice from friends. She continued doing this for approximately four years.

She describes experiencing changes including reduced sex drive, mood swings, softer skin and some breast development.

Later, after graduating, she consulted a doctor. She says the doctor advised her to stop using birth-control pills and prescribed a different hormone regimen.

Chuta specifically advises transgender people not to copy her earlier approach or rely on friends for medical advice, saying they should see a doctor instead.

This article is reporting Chuta’s account of her experience; it is not medical advice.

When did Chuta begin dating and having sexual relationships?

Chuta says she did not begin having sexual experiences until she was 24, after university.

She says she had one sexual encounter with a Thai man but describes it as a sexual relationship rather than a serious romantic relationship.

Her experiences with foreign men have generally made her feel more accepted.

Why does Chuta say she prefers dating foreign men?

Chuta says one of the things that impressed her about foreign men was that they accepted her as she was.

She says foreign men complimented her and made her feel beautiful, including when she was not wearing makeup.

She contrasts this with experiences she says she had with Thai men, where she sometimes felt more judged.

Again, this is her personal dating experience, not a claim that all Thai or foreign men behave the same way.

What does Chuta want men to understand when dating a transgender woman?

Her biggest request is simple: be respectful and don’t judge too quickly.

She says some men on dating applications immediately ask transgender women how much they cost or assume they are escorts.

She finds this disrespectful.

Her advice is to talk to someone and get to know them before making assumptions about who they are or what they want.

Does Chuta use dating apps to find love?

Yes.

Although she sometimes describes herself as looking for “fun,” she says that deep down she hopes to find love.

For her, “fun” can mean going out, having a drink, talking, spending time together or having sex, depending on the circumstances and her consent.

She says she is not expecting too much from dating apps, but she remains open to something more serious.

Does Chuta want to get married?

Yes.

She says she dreams of eventually being married and imagines having her husband, parents, friends and loved ones together at her wedding.

She imagines getting married either on a beach or in the mountains.

She says she wants a relationship built around acceptance, communication, understanding and trust.

What does Chuta think love means?

For Chuta, love means accepting the imperfect parts of each other.

She identifies several important elements:

• Acceptance

• Communication

• Understanding

• Trust

She also says that being loved is one of the most important things she has learned in life because having love and support can make difficult things easier.

Does Chuta want children?

She says she is not particularly interested in having children right now.

She says the decision could depend on her future partner because she recognizes that raising children involves significant responsibility.

She does have two dogs.

What does Chuta want to change about herself?

Interestingly, Chuta says she would like to change her attitude toward judging other people.

She dislikes being judged herself but acknowledges that she sometimes judges others.

She says she wants to take more time to know people before forming opinions about them.

What is Chuta’s biggest dream for the future?

Her overall goal is straightforward: she wants a better life.

She would like to earn more money, find love and eventually get married.

She also wants to remain independent and make her own decisions about her future.

At the time of the interview, financial security is one of the biggest obstacles she sees standing between her current situation and the life she wants.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Chuta?

Chuta says she is 29 years old.

Where is Chuta from?

She was born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand.

What does Chuta do for work?

She works as a facility coordinator, handling reception and front-office administrative responsibilities.

How much does Chuta earn?

She says her current salary is approximately 20,000 baht per month.

Does Chuta want to become a sex worker?

She says she is considering freelance sex work as a part-time source of additional income, but the interview does not establish that she has actually started doing it.

When did Chuta start taking hormones?

She says she began taking hormones at approximately 18 years old.

Does Chuta want to get married?

Yes. She says she would like to find the right person, get married and have her family and friends present at the wedding.

What does Chuta want from a relationship?

She describes love as accepting each other’s bad sides, communicating, understanding one another and having trust.