Ladyboys in Thailand: Jira Gets a Job in a Cabaret Show

Jira and friend

Late one night a few days ago I received a telephone call.

I immediately recognised the voice of an excited sounding Jira on the other end of the line: “Khun Christine, Khun Christine, I’ve got a new job in a Cabaret show. Oh, I’m so happy, so excited!”

We arranged to meet up in a nearby coffee shop and, two days later at the appointed time, Jira and her two Ladyboy friends, and future work colleagues, Supawat and Damisa, turned up with her for a chat.

Jira: Sawadee ka, Khun Christine (giving me a “Wai” a traditional Thai greeting), how are you? Let me introduce my friends, K Supawat and K Damisa. They will also be in the show with me.

Christine: Sawadee ka (to all of them). Khun Jira, my goodness, you do look excited! Tell me all about the show.

Jira: Well, it’s a new cabaret show to be held in Chiang Mai, mainly for tourists from China, Japan, Korea and other Asian countries. As you know, these types of tourist love Ladyboy cabaret shows. They love the dancing, singing and, most of all, the spectacular dresses and costumes.

Right now we are rehearsing every day from 1:00 p.m. to about 5:30 p.m. learning how to dance, sing (mime) and generally work with an audience. We are practicing off-site right now but on September 1st  we’ll move to the real theater as it will be ready then.

Christine: How many Ladyboys will be in the show?

Jira: Hmm, about 50-60. Altogether there will be about 80-85 people, some men, some female dancers but mainly Ladyboys. But it’s not easy to find so many people and we still have a few vacancies.

Christine (joking): So there is still a chance for me then? I’d love to be the MC.

Supawat

Supawat: Sure, come along and talk to the manager!

Christine: Well, maybe if I was 20 years younger… K Supawat, tell me something about yourself, have you done Cabaret before?

Supawat: Yes, I was in Pattaya cabaret shows for 3 years, then in Bangkok for 1 year but I come from Chang Mai and wanted to come back home, so this is a good chance for me.

Christine: And what about you K Damisa?

Damisa: No, it’s my first time. Actually, I am still a university student still so can only do cabaret part time. I am studying psychology but prefer to work in cabaret if I can, whilst I am still young.

Christine: I think it’s your first time, right K Jira?

Jira: Yes, but it’s something I’ve always wanted to do, I love to entertain people. I’ve been chosen to sing a solo song and am very happy about that. K Supawat and K Damisa will just dance at first but maybe sing later.

Christine: How long does the show last and how many songs do you perform?

Supawat: It lasts about 90 minutes and there are 16 songs in all. Each girl has to dance 4 songs and maybe sing 1 or 2.

Damisa and a blurry pup.

Damisa: To begin there will be 1 show per day but, as you know, in Pattaya sometimes there are 3 shows per day playing to full theaters every time. So the manager said she might increase to 2 per day after about a month.

Christine: Wow, doing 3 shows per day must be very tiring for everyone involved. So when does the show actually open?

Jira: September 19th. I’ll ask the manager tomorrow if you can come and see the rehearsals once we are in the Theatre. Maybe you can take some photos then.

Christine: Oh, that would be great, I look forward to it.

We then took some photographs together and, after making our goodbyes, as I drove home, I couldn’t help but reflect on the happiness and joy I had just shared with the three young ladies, all looking forward to their new experience.

Me too. I can hardly wait to go and see the rehearsals in early September. You never know, I can but dream!

In any event, watch this space for an update on Jira and her friends.

Tags: featured, Identity, Ladyboy, Thailand

Category: Transgender Fun & Entertainment