Hello Rossco
Good comment with one addition about sex and religion:
Yes christianity has done some bad things. Many preachers ( imo inhibited , narrow minded) were professionals in letting you feel guilty ( you burn in hell and other crap)instead of preaching compassion or understanding.
So no one has to wonder why the churches are empty these days.
Or look at some Us tv preacher s: the greatest mongers themselves
In buddhism you see a dualistic model:
In the p4p scene sex is like eating. You just do it and don't talk about it. Make everybody happy.
Out of the p4p scene you also notice a shyness in the bedroom like lights out etc you don't see in western society. Also thai don't like to talk about it. They don't understand why Farang keep talking about this. Like when you are eating: eat instead of talking about how to eat.
Buddhism is not a religion like christianity or Islam. It shows a middle path. Up to you to use it or not.
About sex there are some weird transcriptions from the Pali (oldest textbook in buddhism) text:
In one text Buddha describes the minor sides of the body to avoid sex between male and female monks.
Also buddhism warns about the craving for sex or having sex with another man's wife or a daughter. But never a word like you end up in hell. Only in your next life you pay for that.
Transgenders are more accepted because in buddhism you see transgender figures in their history. In early cultures they were considered as important figures. Later religions like Islam( destroyed buddhism in India) or christianity held a different opinion and destroyed a lot.
Lesbianism is something new to the thai society. It was there but never on the surface. The same like in europe 200 years ago. In bangkok I saw some free spirits but many were not completely thai ( partly japanese, partly korean or european). Outside Bangkok it is still a taboo. Barfine two girls or one lb and a girl then you know what I mean. In isaan no one dares to discuss this on the open while on the other hand most lb's are accepted. The problem there is a new generation of macho farangs ( no members of this forum I hope) who seems to have a problem with lb's there.
On my last trip I saw some fine examples looking at me when I entered a "hetero" bar with my lb friend.No fear of ownership but these poor souls seem to forget they are the guests and not the thai people. One even tried to be funny asking me: you know what you are up to. I told him yes, crazy shit but I like that.
I think "Own" is the incorrect possessive verb. "Rent" would be a more apt verb.
In all walks of life, or groups of people, there are bad and there are good.
Some guys seem to have problems with a particular LB and others do not. Each and every encounter is unique and depends on the individuals concerned. There are many LB's I respect and am happy to converse with - some have interesting back grounds and are genuine people with their own aspirations. Some are nut cases! Just like any cross-section of individuals.
I have seen many guys visit on holiday and they just always seem to find trouble. Conversely loads of people visit, and indulge, and just go home with a smile on their face. Why do some guys have problems? - as the Thais would say - up to them!
Trying to avoid any generalization here but many LB's have no education and, by their own choice of sexuality, have little in terms of career prospects.
For all the acceptability, of the 3rd gender, in LOS they still have an uphill struggle to find gainful employment. Certainly in their rural villages there is nothing for them to do.
They can work in shops, salons etc etc but their earning capacity is low (150/200 baht per day). The P4P scene can be more lucrative and 'fun' (they work alongside like minded people). Their working shelf life is low too as, by 30, they are overshadowed by the younger ones.
I had a relationship, for a long time, with a GG from a bar. I asked why she worked in a bar. Answer "How else can I meet a good farang - I want good person to take care of me and my family" That is the motivation.
IMHO Buddhism/Thais have a very different attitude to Sex than the West. It is not a seedy/dirty thing, as preached by good old Christianity, but more functional. Less taboos associated with it all.
In Thailand a male transexual is better (note better) accepted than in the West. Saying that lesbianism seems more acceptable in the West than homosexuality.
I do not see myself as an expert but can only summarize my own observations and experiences.
