What Is It Like to Be a Kathoey in Thailand? A Thai Transgender Woman Shares Her Story

What Is It Like to Be a Kathoey in Thailand?

The interviewee describes growing up as a kathoey with strong support from her family and teachers. She says her mother accepted her from childhood, her family was supportive, and she was able to fit in with female classmates at school.

She also discusses being born male, being attracted to men, Thailand’s military conscription system, her career working at a wedding studio, and her experience receiving respect from foreigners and other people in Thailand.

How did her family react when she was growing up as a kathoey?

According to the interview, her family was supportive of her from childhood.

She explains that when she was born, she was the boy in a family that already had two brothers and one sister. Her mother apparently wished she had another girl, and the family allowed her to present herself in a feminine way.

She specifically says that her family was “warm” and that everyone accepted her.

She also says her kindergarten teacher accepted her and describes herself as a good student.

When did she start feeling feminine?

The interview suggests that her feminine identity was apparent from a very young age.

When discussing her childhood, she explains that her parents allowed her to look like a girl. The conversation also establishes that she was treated as feminine at home rather than being forced into a particular presentation.

The transcript does not establish a specific age when she first began identifying herself as transgender.

Was it difficult for her to grow up as a kathoey in school?

The interview indicates that school was not necessarily hostile toward her.

When asked about her experience, she says her school was open and that the teacher accepted her. She also explains that she had many female friends and felt she had more in common with them.

She describes herself as being somewhat in the middle socially: she did not feel that she fit in with the boys, but she was comfortable playing with girls.

Did she have mostly female friends growing up?

Yes. She says she had many female friends and felt comfortable with them.

She explains that she could play with girls more easily than with boys. She also describes helping male friends with their romantic interests, jokingly comparing herself to Cupid or a wingman.

This was part of how she interacted socially at school rather than something she describes as a problem.

Was she attracted to men from a young age?

The interview discusses her attraction to men, but the transcript does not establish a precise age when she first became attracted to them.

The interviewer asks whether she had noticed boys romantically when she was around seven years old. Her response becomes somewhat difficult to follow because she explains that her parents had already encouraged her to look feminine.

What the interview does establish is that she says she is attracted to men and does not describe women as romantic interests.

Does she want to date men?

The interview indicates that men are her romantic interest.

She talks about being attracted to men and describes having many female friends. However, the interview does not provide detailed information about her current relationship status, dating preferences, or what she specifically looks for in a boyfriend.

What kind of work does she do?

At the time of the interview, she says she does not currently have a job because she is retired.

She explains that she previously worked at a wedding studio and had worked for approximately 25 years.

The interviewer remarks that she remains very fit despite being retired, but the interview does not provide details about her former position at the wedding studio.

Does she feel respected by foreigners in Thailand?

Yes. When asked whether foreigners—including people from countries such as China, Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore—treat her with respect, she answers positively.

She says she receives respect and describes her experiences with foreigners favorably.

The interview does not establish that every foreigner behaves this way, so her comments should be understood as her personal experience.

Why does she say Thailand feels tolerant toward kathoey?

The interviewee expresses the view that Thailand gives people room to be themselves.

The interviewer says that one thing he likes about Thailand is its tolerance and the ability for people to be what makes them happy without being judged. The interviewee agrees.

She also gives examples of seeing kathoey working in ordinary places, including SCB Bank, Makro, Tesco, and 7-Eleven, as part of the discussion about transgender people participating in everyday working life.

These are observations from the interview, not a statistical assessment of discrimination or employment in Thailand.

Does being transgender affect her ability to work in Thailand?

The interview presents examples of her working life without describing employment discrimination as a major obstacle.

She says she previously worked for approximately 25 years at a wedding studio. The discussion also references kathoey working in places such as banks, supermarkets, and convenience stores.

The interview does not provide enough information to determine how common workplace discrimination is or whether she personally experienced it during her career.

Did she have to participate in Thailand’s military conscription process?

Yes. The interview discusses Thailand’s military conscription system because she was born male.

She explains that she had to register and participate in the process involving the red and black cards. She says that receiving a red card would mean having to serve, while a black card meant she did not have to go.

The conversation states that this process applies to people born male and discusses the age of 21 in relation to the requirement.

The interview itself does not provide a complete explanation of Thailand’s current military-service law, so those comments should not be treated as a comprehensive legal guide.

What does she think about being born male but feeling female?

She makes a distinction between physical anatomy and how someone feels internally.

During the conversation, the interviewer says that anatomy is one thing while how someone feels inside is another. The interviewee agrees, and the discussion describes her as feeling feminine from an early age.

Her story emphasizes that her family allowed her to express herself rather than forcing her to conform to a particular gender presentation.

Did her family reject her because she was transgender?

No. Quite the opposite.

She repeatedly describes her family as accepting and supportive. She specifically says that everyone in her family accepted her and describes her family as warm and nice.

She also says that her kindergarten teacher accepted her.

How did she fit in with other girls at school?

She says she had many female friends and felt that she had more in common with them.

She explains that she could play with girls but not with boys in the same way. She describes herself as occupying a position somewhere in the middle socially.

She also became the person male friends could approach when they wanted help with girls, leading to the humorous comparison to Cupid.

Does she believe Thai society is accepting of transgender people?

She expresses a positive personal view of Thailand’s tolerance.

She says that she sees kathoey in ordinary workplaces and believes people can live and work as themselves.

However, the interview does not establish that all transgender people in Thailand experience the same level of acceptance. Her statements are based on her own experiences and observations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a kathoey in Thailand?

The interview uses kathoey as the term used in the conversation to describe transgender women and feminine people in Thailand. The interviewee identifies with that experience herself.

Was her family accepting of her being transgender?

Yes. She says her family was warm, supportive, and accepting of her from childhood.

Did she have female friends growing up?

Yes. She says she had many female friends and felt she had more in common with them than with boys.

What job did she have before retiring?

She says she worked at a wedding studio for approximately 25 years.

Does she like men?

Yes. The interview establishes that she is attracted to men and discusses her interest in men rather than women.

Did she have to deal with Thai military conscription?

Yes. Because she was born male, she discusses having to participate in the Thai military-selection process involving the red and black cards.

Does she think foreigners respect kathoey in Thailand?

She says that foreigners she has encountered have treated her with respect.

Does she think Thailand is tolerant toward transgender people?

She expresses a positive opinion of Thailand’s tolerance and says she sees kathoey participating in ordinary workplaces and daily life.