LGBT Thailand

Being LGBT is problematic everywhere. And Thailand’s history shows that they are no exception. Even in Thai literature, it’s mentioned that there were lesbian relationships between concubines and maids right in the royal palace. We know that Princess Sirorot was involved in a lesbian relationship with Mom Wongthep but Mom Wongthep was already in a relationship with another woman (Lady Hun). There’s another story involving Prince Kraison, King Rama I’s son, in his involvement with two actors Khun Thong (ขุนทอง) and Yaem (แย้ม). Prince Kraison never tried to cover up this up and spent a tremendous amount of time with these actors, often spending the night.

In this Buddhist country, many see LGBT as karmic punishment for previous behaviors and that they deserve compassion rather than blame. Others believe that they should rectify their past life transgressions by making donations to a temple or by being ordained as monks". Also, in many schools’ students are taught that being LGBT is wrong and is a form of sexual deviancy. But there are many other Buddhists who believe that the Buddha was never hostile towards LGBT people, so looking at them as a karmic punishment is a mistaken interpretation.

 

Today In Thailand, when it comes to military service, all 21-year-old Thai men must participate in a lottery. And when they report, they are classified into 4 groups based on physical fitness. The 1st group is categorized as having normal physique, 2nd group are of persons whose physique are unlike the 1st group, 3rd group are men with an illness that can’t be cured in 30 days, and the 4th group are persons whose illness is incompatible with military. Transgender fall into the 2nd group and are automatically rejected, being given an exemption document (Sor Dor 43) stamped with the words “permanent mental disorder.” This category makes it difficult for transgender to apply for jobs in government, state enterprises or any companies which require proof of military service. 

 

But in Thailand, transgender have more rights than in many other countries. Several popular Thai models, singers, and movie stars are transgender. But even with the acceptance, many work predominately in female professions: shops, restaurants, and beauty salons. Recently, Thailand's passed the Gender Equality Act (GEA), which is currently the strongest legal tool for advocating for transgender rights. But still legal recognition of transgender is nonexistent in Thailand. Even if a transgender person has had sex reassignment surgery, they are not allowed to change their legal sex on their identification documents. Also, the courts rely on these identification cards when deciding where to detain individuals. That means that they are detained alongside men and by law, women are not allowed to be detained alongside men, and since transgender are not legally classified as women, they reside in the male section in prison.

 

Thailand does allow transgender people to have their own beauty platform. The Miss Tiffany's Universe is an annual beauty contest that is opened to all transgender women and takes place in Pattaya, Thailand. With over 100 applicants, the pageant is one of the most popular transgender pageants in the world. The live broadcast attracts millions of viewers with the winner receiving a crown, car, and a grand prize of 100,000 baht (US$3,000), equivalent to an annual salary of a Thai factory worker. 

 

In 1996, a volleyball team composed mostly of transgenders, known as The Iron Ladies (สตรีเหล็ก) won the Thai national championship. But the Thai government concerned about the country's image, barred two of the ladies from joining the national team and competing internationally. Among the most famous transgender is Parinya Charoenphol (Nong Tum), a former champion Thai boxer. She announced her retirement from professional boxing in 1999 after undergoing gender reassignment surgery. The first all-transgender music group in Thailand was formed in 2006 with the name "Venus Flytrap". Known as the “Lady Boys of Bangkok" they have been performing in the UK since 1998. 

 

For many decades, Thai activists have organized to secure sexual diversity rights. Former Beauty pageant winner Yollada Suanyot (Nok) founded the Trans Female Association of Thailand to help change sex designation on identification cards for transgender women. As of today, LGBT people in Thailand have some of the most comprehensive rights in Asia. And now the law legalizing same sex marriage is pending royal decree.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_history_in_Thailand

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68672318

https://thethaiger.com/guides/the-journey-of-lgbt-thailand#google_vignette

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