The following work was produced in and around Walailak Univeristy in the Nakhon Si Thammarat province of Southern Thailand. The photographer set out to explore the realm of sexual identity in Thailand, specifically focusing on transgendered males who are popularly known as ladyboys. This work focuses on young adults who constantly balance their sexual identity with their lifestyle as university students.
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Walailak University
Walailak University is one of the largest public universities in Southern Thailand and is home to roughly 8000 students.
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The Student Body
The campus is a safe place for students to expand their knowledge while growing with integrity and grace. At Walailak every student is valued and accepted regardless of financial background, origin, or sexual identity.
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Thailand: A Feminine Nation
According to Geert Hofstede cultural dimensions theory, Thailand is the most feminine nation amongst all neighboring Asian countries. According to the theory, feminine nations value caring for others and quality of life over assertiveness and competition. Feminine societies also tend to reinforce traditional roles of males and females.
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Ladyboys of Thailand
“Ladyboy” is a broad term used to describe a man who portrays himself as a woman. Contrary to popular belief, a man who identifies as a ladyboy is not always transgendered. Many members of the homosexual community participate in dressing and acting like women as an outlet of personal expression while others crossdress exclusively for special events and entertainment. Furthermore, most self-proclaimed ladyboys who also identify as transgendered do not always act and dress like women on a daily basis. Ladyboys play an active role in Thai society and culture. Ladyboys dominate pop culture and entertainment and they are actively accepted and tolerated by the greater society.
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Feet and Hands
Due to the large spectrum of sexuality in Thailand it can be difficult to identify a ladyboy from a genuine female. Many transgendered ladyboys choose to take hormone supplements and surgically alter their bodies to appear more feminine. However, examining the hands and feet of a female will usually help you to determine if the female is transgendered or not.
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Ladyboys of Walailak
According to many students, the ladyboy community at Walailak is small but mighty. The more enthusiastic ladyboys are active members of campus life and tend to be very popular among the rest of the students. However, some ladyboys prefer to blend in and focus on their studies rather than their social life.
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Butterfly’s Crying
Each year the ladyboys of Walailak come together to produce an original show for the university community to enjoy. The ladyboys plan and produce all aspects of the performance and work together to sell tickets for this one-night only event. The show has a reputation of selling out and brings in over 100,000 baht in revenue. Unfortunately, the ladyboys are not allowed to be recognized as an official campus organization and they are unable to capitalize on the money earned from the show. However, many of the faculty and staff support the show by donating costumes and helping with pre- and post-production.
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Dormitory 5: The Butterfly Palace
Officially known as Dormitory 5, the students of Walailak refer to this building as the Butterfly Palace. Although this place has not been formally deemed the land of the ladyboys, many transgendered upperclassmen seek refuge and community in this quaint space.
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Inside the Butterfly Palace
Although many dormitory 5 is dominated by ladyboys, the space is shared with a number of heterosexual peers. Each dorm room houses 4 students and their belongings.
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Personal Portrayal
Ladyboys live in a relm where personal expression is limitless. Many of the ladyboys at Walailak alter their appearance and style on a daily basis depending on their schedule and mood. Some days a ladyboy chooses to dress as a male, and other days she chooses to dress and act as a female. Most days she will combine the two genders by pairing female makeup with a male outfit.
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Social Media
Like much of the world today, ladyboys are obsessed with social media. The ladyboys of Walailak post status updates and pictures as if it is their civil duty. This is a fundamental part of their personality, as they love to flaunt their personal style and beauty for all to appreciate.
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Community
The gay and transgendered communities in Thailand are supportive of each other although they are definitively separate. Both communities internally care for one another with love and affection, much like family.
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Tomboys
Walailak is also home to a community of girls who dress as men, more commonly known in Thai society as “tomboys.” Tomboys are masculine females that are assumed to sexually identify as bisexual or lesbian.
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Tollerance
Amongst the Thai people, the transgendered community is commonly referred to as “kathoey.” Although Thailand is a largely conservative nation, gay and transgendered people rarely face harassment from their peers. It is believed that this overall acceptance is rooted in the fact that most Thai people practice Buddhism, a religion that largely emphasizes tolerance. In Thailand, sexual identity is not a determining factor of success: all areas of society are open to everyone.
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Ameen
Ameen Kalom is a second year student at Walailak University majoring in Southeast Asian studies. When he isn’t busy studying, Ameen spends his time practicing dance, playing volleyball, and surfing the web. Ameen identifies as gay, but often dresses as a woman for entertainment purposes. Ameen proudly represents a small community of gender fluid students who call Walailak University home. Outside of Walailak, Ameen is a practicing Muslim and his family is unaware of his sexual preference. Many Muslim ladyboys at Walailak explore their realm of expression and creativity only when they are on campus. Many know that their time as a ladyboy is purely a phase that they will be forced to forget when returning home to their regimented family values.
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Makeup Application
Ladyboys carefully apply their makeup in order to hide their masculine features. In a process called contouring, ladyboys sculpt and reshape their features to appear softer and more feminine.
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Pond
Pond is studying economics and is in his first year at Walailak. Before moving to Thasala for school, Pond became an excellent makeup artist by practicing techniques on himself and his close girlfriends. Pond hopes to one day earn money for his makeup skills, but for now he does makeup free of charge for the preforming arts students of Walailak. Upon graduation Pond hopes to become a banker, but he always hopes to continue practicing and excelling at the art of makeup.
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Girly Supplies
Ladyboys in Thailand gain access to girly supplies such as makeup, clothing, and accessories at local markets. Likewise, it is very easy for ladyboys to gain access to gender altering medical procedures at a low cost. A male can make a full physical transition to female for a little under 200,000 bhat (around $6000 USD).
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Understanding
Although ladyboys are accepted into Thai society, they are still a misunderstood breed. Many ladyboys refrain from wearing their girly outfits and makeup to class as the teachers deem such behavior as impolite. In some areas of Thailand, special restrooms are designated just for ladyboys, but Walailak has not yet reached this level of ultimate integration.
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A Place to Grow
Ladyboys play an important role in Thai culture and Walailak offers them the same respect they would receive throughout the nation. Although their time as a ladyboy may be limited due to religious restrictions, students feel comfortable expressing their personal preferences an
