What Is It Like Being a Transgender Traveler in Thailand? Dan Shares Her Story

What is it like being a transgender traveler in Thailand?

For Dan, Thailand has been a place where she has felt free and comfortable enough to return five times. She first visited at 19 after finishing high school and choosing a gap year, partly because she had heard Thailand was accepting toward trans people.

She is now 30 and has spent extended periods in Thailand, including a month in Bangkok during her latest visit and a month in Phuket.

Why did Dan first travel to Thailand?

Dan first came to Thailand when she was about 19, shortly after finishing high school. She wanted to take a gap year rather than immediately begin studying.

She was also going through her transition at the time and had heard that Thailand seemed accepting toward trans people. Combined with Thailand’s appeal as a travel destination, that gave her another reason to visit.

Her first experience was intense but positive. She remembers feeling very free and immediately enjoying the country.

Does Dan feel comfortable living in Thailand as a transgender woman?

Dan describes Thailand positively and says she has returned five times. During her current trip, she spent about a month in Bangkok and previously stayed in Phuket for about a month.

She particularly likes Bangkok because she feels the city combines modern urban life with the atmosphere she enjoys in Asia. She also appreciates that people in Thailand seem more relaxed than people in the Netherlands.

Her experience is personal, however, and the interview does not establish that every transgender traveler will have the same experience.

What was Dan’s experience growing up transgender in the Netherlands?

Dan says she was very feminine as a child and was teased by other boys. She was frequently called names and was sometimes referred to as a girl.

Around puberty, she initially wondered whether she was gay or bisexual. Later, after dating a boy, she realized that being perceived as another boy in a relationship did not feel right to her.

She eventually came out as trans.

How did Dan’s family react when she came out as trans?

Dan describes her family as very supportive. Her mother is gay and came out to Dan when Dan was around 12.

She says having supportive parents made her own experience easier. She feels fortunate because she believes having a supportive family can provide an important foundation for someone going through transition.

What happened when Dan was bullied at school?

Dan says some of her straight friends stopped associating with her when she became more feminine during high school.

She subsequently made more female friends, but she still experienced people shouting insults at her. Despite this, she says she has generally been able to stand up for herself.

Why did Dan move away from Amsterdam?

Housing was one of the major difficulties Dan experienced in Amsterdam. She describes finding housing there as extremely difficult because the city is relatively small and many people want to live near the center.

When she left her Amsterdam apartment, she remembers approximately 30–35 people waiting to view it.

She says her Amsterdam apartment cost around €800 for approximately 25 square meters and had a moldy bedroom.

What was it like living in Amsterdam’s Red Light District?

Dan lived in Amsterdam’s Red Light District for about two and a half years, but she emphasizes that she lived there rather than worked there.

She remembers the area as loud and chaotic, with tourists, people fighting, people vomiting in the street, drugs, and a distinctive atmosphere. At the same time, she enjoyed being close to everything and found the experience interesting.

Eventually, however, she wanted more space and felt ready to leave.

What kind of men does Dan find attractive?

Dan says she is attracted to men who are genuine and open-minded. She also values being able to connect easily with someone.

Physically, she likes men who take care of themselves, have a nice smile and friendly eyes, and work out. However, she says physical appearance is not enough if someone’s energy or personality feels wrong.

She describes herself as relatively picky rather than someone who dates constantly.

Does Dan tell men that she is transgender when dating?

Yes. Dan says she is now very open about being trans when she dates someone.

She learned this lesson after a painful experience when she was younger. She dated a man without initially telling him she was trans. They became emotionally involved, but he eventually discovered her status by finding her passport.

He was shocked and upset, and although they remained in contact for a while, the relationship eventually faded. Dan says the experience was heartbreaking and taught her not to repeat the situation.

What does Dan think about dating as a transgender woman?

Dan says she believes trans women can have relationships and eventually marry, and she is happy when she sees trans women in relationships.

She would like to have a serious relationship herself. Looking five years ahead, she hopes to be traveling, working remotely, doing well on YouTube, and potentially building a life with a serious partner.

She says marriage could be nice with the right person.

Why did Dan start a YouTube channel about travel?

Dan says she has always loved traveling and had not seen many transgender travelers creating travel content on YouTube.

That gave her the idea to start her own channel. She hopes to continue traveling throughout Asia while developing a location-independent lifestyle and working remotely.

During the interview, she was preparing to travel to Vietnam and potentially continue traveling elsewhere in Asia.

What does Dan like about Bangkok and Phuket?

Dan enjoys the combination of city and beach environments. She particularly enjoyed spending a month in Phuket because she likes having access to beaches and swimming while still enjoying a city atmosphere.

She also likes Bangkok and says she sometimes walks around listening to music and feels happy there.

She describes Thailand as offering a combination of modern city life and a more relaxed social atmosphere.

What does Dan want to do in the next five years?

Dan hopes to remain location-independent and continue traveling. Her goal is to work remotely while developing her YouTube channel.

She also hopes to find a serious relationship and build something together with the right person.

Her plans are centered on travel, independence, content creation, and potentially a long-term relationship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Dan first visit Thailand?

She first visited Thailand at about 19 after finishing high school. She wanted to take a gap year and was also transitioning, so Thailand’s reputation for being accepting toward trans people appealed to her.

How many times has Dan visited Thailand?

She said her current trip was her fifth time visiting Thailand.

Does Dan live in Thailand permanently?

No. In the interview, she describes herself as a traveler and says she wants to continue traveling throughout Asia.

What does Dan like about Thailand?

She likes the feeling of freedom, the more relaxed atmosphere, Bangkok’s modern environment, and Phuket’s combination of city life and beaches.

What does Dan look for in a boyfriend?

She says she likes men who are genuine and open-minded. She also values friendly energy, easy communication, and someone who takes care of himself.

Does Dan tell men that she is transgender when dating?

Yes. She says she now tells men upfront because she does not want to mislead anyone or have someone mislead her.

Did Dan experience discrimination growing up?

Yes. She says she was teased and called names because she was feminine, and some friends abandoned her when she became more feminine during high school.

Does Dan want to get married?

She says marriage could be nice with the right person. She has not given it extensive thought but is positive about the possibility.