It’s a new year and our correspondent in Thailand, Christine Burr, has some New Year’s wishes instead of resolutions. Her wishes are all for the improvement of the lives lead by Thailand’s ladyboys — and for the improvement of the lives of all transgendered people around the world.
When Thailand’s katoi make the news they’re commonly called ladyboys and the story is either one of success in show business or the pageant world, or one of their involvement in some crime. There’s little in the Thai media that presents them as transgender women doing their best to be a part of society. Our Thailand correspondent has found a story that shows the katoi can do things that break the stereotypes. And it comes with pictures of ladyboys in bikinis.
The katoey, or ladyboys, of Thailand, like most TGs, have a hard life. While there is a place in the Thai culture for the katoey it’s not necessarily something that is welcomed or treated with respect. As too often happens around the world the ladyboys get involved in criminal activities since they are denied a way to legitimately support themselves. Our correspondent in Thailand has filed another report on misbehavior by katoey.
Fresh from my Hong Kong trip, I spent a few days in Bangkok, where I tracked down a contact I’d been given by a friend living in Hong Kong — the Bangkok based person being someone who works for a quasi government body, and is working to help minorities and other disadvantaged people. The reason? […]
Our correspondent in Thailand has filed another report on the ladyboys of that culture. Thailand is often thought of as a place where being transgendered is accepted but just like the rest of the world things are not that easy. And too often ladyboys are in trouble with the law. What do they need? Christine thinks she may know what it is.
Our correspondent in Thailand is feeling let down about the progress transgendered people in Asia are making. While she applauds the strides forward she feels there are two many jumps backward. Thailand’s ladyboys should be not just tolerated but given equal opportunity. Read and learn why Christine is feeling Let Down.
Christine Burr has filed another report from Thailand. She expands on the “guilty till proven innocent” attitude that the Thai press takes in regard to ladyboys involved in criminal activity noting that even stories of ladyboys reporting for Thailand’s compulsory military service seemed skewed against them.
Christine Burr has filed another Thailand report. This one reviews the treatment in the foreign press there of ladyboys accused of criminal activities. A dim view should be taken of criminals but should they be excoriated more because they are transgendered? Read Misdemeanours.
Thailand’s exotic ladyboys are easily romanticized, as is the profession of prostitution. For some being paid for sexual favors seems like a dream. For the majority of the sex workers in Thailand it’s more of a nightmare. Needing the cash to pay for GRS they have no choice but to be a “hostess.”
Our correspondent in Thailand, Christine Burr, has filed a report that asks us to use a bit of understanding when we see those headlines about ladyboys getting in trouble with the law. Life there can be hard for TGs. Get the facts from someone who is there and read Ladyboys, Ladyboys — why, oh why?
We welcome Christine Burr to TGForum with the first of her Dispatches From Thailand. Christine Burr is an author, writer and columnist, and is mainly based in Thailand where she enjoys her ‘T-life’ as much as she can. Today Christine gives and overview of what life is like for the Ladyboys of that country.
