I was walking across a parking lot when I heard someone shout “hello!”. The sun had set and it was nearly dark. I saw three people sit on the back of a pickup truck but I could not tell who it was.
I walked over to them, careful in case this was something fishy. It turned out to be Big Smile and the Ladyboy, familiar faces from the Internet cafe. They had a girl with them. They invited me to sit next to them on the back of the truck. The girl asked questions; Where was I from? How long had I been in Thailand? Why could I speak Thai? Did I play the Internet every day?
The Ladyboy (who doesn’t look like a ladyboy but who is called “katoey” by his friends) sat next to me, cozying up to my body. He asked if I had a boyfriend. When I said yes he fell back and no longer made body contact with me.
- Are you and Big Smile together? I asked.
- No, he is my younger brother, said the Ladyboy.
- Yes they are, said the girl.
When I spoke to the girl the Ladyboy became bored and annoyed that he was not in the centre of things. He began making jokes in a cartoon voice. Big Smile laughed at every word.
I got up to leave.
- Where are you going? asked Big Smile.
- I am going to eat.
- What will you eat?
- Fried chicken with pepper and garlic. Do you like that?
- Aroy! (delicious!) said Big Smile and his eyes went distant as he imagined the food.
I was impressed nobody had mentioned money when we were talking. Nobody had claimed hunger or hardship. But when I had said goodbye to the trio and walked away I heard footsteps. The Ladyboy was sneaking after me. He asked for 20 baht. I said no.
Tags: gay Thailand, Thai boy
March 6th, 2007 at 2:37 pm
One of the things that intrigues me about Thailand is why there are so many Ladyboys?
I have never heard of anywhere else with so many ladyboys as Thailand. Why should this be so?
Is it that they are just more open and accepted in Thailand, or is there ’something in the water’ ???
March 6th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
There could be something biological since 2/3 of the ladyboys in Thailand are of the tall type, often taller than both ordinary women and men.
This can be your Ph.D project, Dr. Iwan
March 6th, 2007 at 5:09 pm
My best guess re the incidence of ladyboys is that it’s cultural - ladyboys are an accepted part of Thai culture; they are not in other cultures.
Whether that means that the number of ladyboys in Thailand reflects the ‘real’ incidence of TS / TG men ‘hidden’ in less tolerant societies, or exaggerates that number, is anyone’s guess.
The blurring of gay / TS / TG in Thailand, and the gender versus sexuality aspects of TG / TS, further complicates things.
I did not find the anecdotal reports of the prevalence of tall ladyboys from a Thai doctor in one well-known book on ladyboys convincing. Real research on TS / TG matters around the world is almost non-existent, and medical / scientific research of ANY type in Thailand is limited.
March 6th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
You are talking about Totman’s book “The Third Sex: Kathoey: Thailand’s Ladyboys”? That’s where I got the 2/3 estimate from. Regardless of what the exact percentage is the tall ladyboys certainly are there to see… They have a partiuclar body build, long out-stretched and slender might describe it.
March 6th, 2007 at 7:45 pm
It’s great that you were able to meet the Ladyboy and Big Smile outside of the confines of the internet cafe. Could this be the beginning of something?
-Former Farang
March 6th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
Err… I hope not!
I am only halfway joking, while those two are interesting to observe I don’t think I should get involved. I smell trouble.
March 6th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
Perhaps the “tall ladyboy syndrome” is related to the “6 inch heel” syndrome ?
March 6th, 2007 at 10:38 pm
the tall ladyboys are just the tip of the iceberg,
to use a metaphore. that means, they are what you
see. the petite ones blend in, as ong as they
keep their mouths shut.
Do not believe any stats as there is no professional
research. I’m sure, though, that the tall ones are
a minority just like any other tall Thais in general.
March 7th, 2007 at 8:06 am
I think you have not been to the Philippines.
My friends there have many LadyBoy friends and enjoy introducing an American to them.
I then have to make excuses. Why I am not nto LadyBoys. So complicated.
Once I said, because i like c**k, but that backfired!!
The LadyBoy rubbed her/his and it was very big!!!
HAHAHA
Help me out here Guys…