: A Thai umbrella term for people assigned male at birth who present as feminine or transfeminine. It can include transgender women, effeminate gay men, or those identifying as a "third gender".
: While Thailand is known for its high visibility of transgender people and recently legalized same-sex marriage, individuals cannot yet legally change their gender on official ID documents. Guidelines for Respectful Language
: An English term widely used in Southeast Asian tourism and entertainment to refer to transgender women. While some individuals in Thailand and the Philippines reclaim the term with pride and "mischief," it can be seen as exoticizing or offensive when used by foreigners. extreme ladyboys boy
: When unsure, "transgender woman" is generally a safer and more professional term than "ladyboy".
: In Theravada Buddhism, some believe that being born kathoey is a result of karma from a past life. However, Thai Buddhism generally fosters a culture of compassion and tolerance. : A Thai umbrella term for people assigned
: If you misgender someone, a brief apology and correction is better than a lengthy explanation.
: The Thai word for "woman." Many transgender women in Thailand prefer this term or phuying praphet song ("second-type woman") over kathoey or "ladyboy". Cultural Context in Thailand Guidelines for Respectful Language : An English term
: The most respectful approach is to use the name and pronouns an individual uses for themselves.