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A brief history of Ladyboys in Thai Culture
As the rest of world becomes more accepting and tolerant towards trans gendered person, Thailand would seem to be way ahea,. Thailand’s history of accepting a third sex can be dated back centuries.
Origins of Kathoey Culture
The concept of ladyboys and its roots in Thai history, can be traced back to ancient times, and as far as record go. Kathoeys were traditionally considered to be spiritual beings, often serving as mediums, healers, or shamans, and were revered for their unique abilities. They were highly respected within the community and played an essential role in society.
In Thai folklore and mythology, stories of gender-fluid characters can be found, reflecting the early acceptance and integration of the third gender in Thai culture. One example is the Ramakien, Thailand's national epic, which dates back to the 18th century and features a character named Sangthong, a young prince who temporarily transforms into a woman.
Religion and Ladyboy Culture
Buddhism, the predominant religion in Thailand, has played a significant role in shaping the perception and acceptance of ladyboys within Thai society. Unlike some other religious belief systems, Buddhism does not explicitly condemn or stigmatise transgender individuals. In fact, the Buddhist teachings emphasize compassion, understanding, and non-judgment towards all living beings, regardless of their gender identity or expression.
The third gender is recognised in several Buddhist texts, such as the Vinaya Pitaka, compiled in the 5th century BCE. The Vinaya Pitaka, a foundational text in the Theravada Buddhist tradition, outlines the rules and regulations for monastic life. It includes provisions for individuals who do not fit neatly into the categories of male or female, acknowledging the existence and legitimacy of a third gender. This early recognition within Buddhist scripture has contributed to the relatively tolerant attitude towards ladyboys in Thai culture.
The Emergence of Ladyboy Culture in Modern Thailand
The visibility and prominence of ladyboy culture in modern Thailand grew significantly during the mid-20th century. In the 1960s, Thailand experienced a surge in tourism, with the number of foreign tourists increasing from 336,000 in 1967 to over 1.4 million in 1977. This influx of visitors led to the development of the entertainment industry, including the emergence of go-go bars, beer bars, and ladyboy cabaret shows.
The first Miss Tiffany's Universe, a beauty pageant for transgender women, was held in 1998. This event has since become an annual celebration of ladyboy culture, attracting contestants from across Thailand and increasing the visibility and acceptance of transgender individuals. The emergence of social media has dramatically helped Thailand’s unique ladyboy culture, gain international recognition and admiration.
Ladyboy Rights and Recognition
Despite the cultural acceptance and visibility of ladyboys in Thai society, they have historically faced challenges in terms of legal recognition and rights. It wasn't until 2015 that the Thai government allowed transgender individuals to change their legal gender on official documents. Furthermore, in 2019, the Gender Equality Act was enacted, which provides protection against discrimination based on gender identity or expression.
Nonetheless, there is still progress to be made in terms of legal rights and social acceptance for the ladyboy community. For example, some transgender individuals are still required to serve in the military based on their assigned gender at birth, leading to instances of discrimination and mistreatment.
The ladyboy culture in Thailand has evolved over time, reflecting a unique aspect of the nation's rich cultural heritage. From its ancient origins to its modern-day prominence, ladyboy culture has become an integral part of Thai society. As we strive to understand better and appreciate this unique cultural phenomenon, it is important to approach the topic with sensitivity and respect, recognising the challenges faced by the ladyboy community and acknowledging their historical significance within Thai culture. It’s impossible to imagine a modern day Thailand without it’s rich, unique, and colourful ladyboy culture.
For the dating ladyboys in Thailand we recommend joining Thai Friendly which has hundreds of Thai ladyboys listed.
For dating ladyboys globally we recommend joining My Ladyboy Date which has attractive ladyboys in many Asian and Western countries.
For ladyboy escorts in Asia and Europe, make sure to try Smooci.- Apr 26 2023 01:10 AM
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The 'F' Word
The word Farang (pronounced with a drilled ‘r’ and often mispronounced as ‘falang’), is the widely used Thai term for a white or Caucasian person, or someone of Europe ancestory (though African-Americans will sometimes be referred to as 'farang dam’, simply meaning ‘black farang’). You’ll hear it used in all parts of Thailand, from the taxi driver who greets you at the airport, to the college students at the mall, you’ll even hear it spoken by the locals you’ll befriend and socialize with. For any white foreigner heading to Thailand there is no escaping the word ‘farang’.
From where does the word originate?
The origin of the word ‘farang’ is widely disputed. Some will tell you it simply derives from the word ‘Farang-set’, which means ‘French’ in Thai, with the French having a very strong presence in the region from the 16th Century. Others will tell you that it comes from the Arabic word ‘farangi’, which means white skinned people. There are many similar theories with a number of countries having a similar sounding word for white foreigner or westerner.
It’s likely that there is some truth to all these theories, with the general academic belief being that the word for ‘farang’ and other similar words come from the Persian word ‘farang’ or ‘farangi’ meaning ‘Frank European’. This in turn came from the Old French word ‘franc’ which was their name for the powerful Frank Western Germanic tribe which ruled much of Western Europe during the early part of the Middle Ages, and from which France derived its name.
A fruitier explanation
To complicate matters a little, ‘farang’ is also the Thai word for guava fruit (with no difference in the pronunciation), which was first introduced by Portuguese traders around the turn of the 18th Century. In the Isaan / Laotian regional language a ‘farang’ fruit is called a ‘mak sida’, with ‘mak’ meaning fruit, while a ‘farang’ foreigner is often called a ‘bak sida’, with ‘bak’ meaning ‘male’. Though as you can imagine, there is as much (if not more) controversy surrounding this word.
You’ll also see the word ‘farang’ used to describe some food imported from the West, such as ‘man farang’ which is a type of potato, and ‘mak farang’ which means chewing gum.
Is the word ‘farang’ racist?
What most ‘farang’ really want to know is whether the term is racist. I know several expats and regular travelers to Thailand who take offence to being referred to as a ‘farang’, and some who find it amusing, playful, or even charming, but whether or not the word is an insult or racist depends on the context in which it is spoken.
‘Farang’ is in essence a very common and neutral word and one which is used so widely (especially in big cities and touristic areas), that it even appears in many Thai language dictionaries. If you overhear shop workers talking about you and referring to you as a farang you shouldn't instantly feel offend, in most cases it is done so with all innocence and in some cases they may even be complimenting you or referring to you in a very positive manner.
Things get a little more tricky when someone directly calls you a ‘farang’, i.e. if someone asked you ‘where are you going, farang?’ that could be taken with some offence, as in the same way asking someone in English ‘where are you going, foreigner?’ could be taken as an insult, but in general, being referred to as a ‘farang’ by someone such as a taxi driver or street vendor is not likely to be meant as an insult.
On the other hand, one may feel offended being call ‘farang’ by the staff or a nice restaurant or hotel. It could be seen as a lack of respect in an establishment which should offer more sensitivity and caution towards a word that obviously offends some people. The same goes for work colleagues and friends, while it is most likely not be meant as an insult, being referred to as a ‘farang’ by such people may seem impersonal.
The Thai view
Ask most Thais and they will tell you the word isn't racist or meant as an insult. And they are mostly right. ‘Farang’ is a word most Thais have grown up hearing, being used to describe white foreigners in a matter of fact way. There is no evidence of oppression, hatred, or racism to be found behind the history of the word, no matter which theory of its origin you choose to believe.
Some Thai people who feel uncomfortable using the word ‘farang’ may try to use words such as ‘kon dtahng bpra-tayt’, or ‘chaw tang chati’, which both mean a person from another country, and both of which are clearly quite a mouthful – and so the word ‘farang’ remains the short, simple alternative that the majority of Thai people use.
When a Thai refers to a foreigner as "farang khi nok" then it’s probably time to start taking offence. 'Farang khi nok' is actually a variety of guava fruit, but it also translates to mean ‘bird shit Foreigner’.
A need to be accepted
Many of those who take offence when being referred to as a ‘farang’ are expats or those who spend a lot of time visiting Thailand. The offence they take from the word may be somewhat down to a bad experience or the frustration of not being accepted as a resident rather and still being called a foreigner. However, the truth is that one can never change his/her heritage or ethnicity, only embrace it, fight it, or accept that it’s only an issue if you make it one and being a ‘farang’ in Thailand can also be a positive and enviable thing.
Many foreigners in Thailand not only accept the word but embrace it, with foreign run communities and businesses using the word as a means of recognition, connection and identity, such as Der Farang, a popular German language newspaper for expats, Farang Properties Services, and a number of shops and bars run by and for expats living in Thailand, using the word ‘farang’ in their business name and marketing copy.
IMHO..
For my 5 baht’s worth, Farang isn't a racist word. It isn't even a unique word to Thailand. In Malaysia and Cambodia white foreigners are referred to as Barang, in Vietnam it’s Pha-rang, in Turkey, ‘ifangi’, ‘firinji’ in Arabic, and even Greek people refer to Westerners as ‘frangos’, and in none of these countries is it primarily used as a racist or insulting term.
However, as with many words it can be used in a racist way if so intend, and in some cases a foreigner will be called a ‘farang’ in a negative way. Being offended in such a way once can cause some to develop a negative reaction towards the ‘f’ word and often this is where talk of it being a racist term often develops. My advice is, despite any past experience with the word, you should always be aware of the context in which it is spoken, assuming no offence unless it is clearly given.
Written by: Moo Yung- Apr 04 2014 08:55 PM
- by Moo Yung
