Photo by drburtoniIf you come to Phuket, your itinerary will surely include the famous side shows by those Katoey’s or lady-boys. Be ready for a rich sensory experience and a time of enjoyment as they go all out to please the weary customers and patrons or tourists. It is not just about making a living, it is about a way of life. It is not a sleazy existence but a means of maintaining a lifestyle as a lady-boy they would not be able to in their own native village. They wear very revealing dresses showing their ample silicone emphasized breasts while they sing and dance in their performances. Their perfect measurements and their beauty makes them the envy of many real women.

The men and the women watch transfixed as they go about their routines. In Malaysia, they are known as Maknyah’s or the derogatory term ‘pondan’ or ’she-males’ in the West.

It is sometimes difficult to discern who is real or who isn’t. Some of them are indeed beautiful. I believe God in his immense mercy is giving them a chance to live a life they should have been given since birth. They are obviously more ladies than men. Transsexuals or trans-gender are those who think they are a woman born in a man’s body, while a transvestite is a man who likes to dress up like a woman.

In Thailand, being a lady-boy is less derogatory for example than in the west. They are accepted by society as the third sex and are not openly discriminated against. Many Thais have a slight stature, sport smaller bodies like a woman and quite hairless. Boobs are easier to fix but a sex change operation is more complicated, and expensive. My heart really goes out for them as they undergo it to reach their quest of being a real woman. Injection of female Hormones are also part of the routine they have to undergo.

One of the country’s most famous lady-boys is Nong Toom, who went from champion Thai kick boxer to being a transsexual. A movie, Saitree Lex, was made about the true story of a lady-boy volleyball team known as the ‘Iron Ladies’ won the national championships in 1996 against the odds.