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Ladyboys, also known as its Thai term kathoey. Kathoey has an original sense of "hermaphordite" but is now commonly associated with transvestite or transexual.

Representation in cinema
Ladyboys began to gain prominence in Thai cinema during the late 1980s. The depiction at first was negative with ladybodys suffering from bad karma and acting clownish. The first film, The Last Song (Phleng sut-thai, Phisan Akraseranee, 1985), shows its ladybody protagonist killing herself during a cabaret performance. The depiction at first was negative with ladybodys suffering from bad karma and acting clownish.

Miss Tiffany's Universe
Miss Tiffany's Universe is a beauty contest that is opened to all transgender women. Beginning in 1998, the pageant takes place every year in May. With over 100 applicants, all across Thailand, the pageant is considered to be one of the most popular transgender pageant in the world.

Requirements to confirm eligibility for Sex Reassignment Surgery
Patients must be at least 18 years old and permission from parents if under 20 years old. One must provide evidence of diagnosis of gender dysphoria from a psychologist/psychiatrist. Before going through gender reassignment surgery, one must be on hormones/antiandrogens for at least one year. Patients must have a note from the psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. Two months prior to the surgery, patients are required to see a Psychiatrist in Thailand to confirm eligibility for Sex Reassignment Surgery.

Popular Plastic Surgery
Thailand is at the forefront of the growing practice of sex-reassignment surgery. The country's medical tourism industry attracts more than 2 million visitors per year. An individual’s pursuit of Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS) is strictly governed and guided by medical boards.

Facial Feminization Surgery
Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS) is a set of reconstructive surgical procedures that alter features of a male to female. FFS includes procedures such as breast augmentation, tracheal shaving, cheek augmentation, neck lift, jaw shaving, rhinoplasty (nose reduction), and more to increase femininity.

Sex Reassignment Surgery
Sex reassignment surgery provide transgender female to alter male anatomical traits to match physical traits that are socially accepted to be appropriate to the trans female’s female identity. Genital surgery may involve other medical procedures such as orchiectomy (link), mastectomy (link), vaginectomy (link).

Documentary: Thailand’s Third Gender
Following Ladyboys in the vibrant social scene of Thailand, the documentary titled Thailand’s Third Gender direct insight on the lives of Ladyboys. Direct interviews with various transgender women, the film reveals the obstacles these individuals face with their family and lovers, but moreover on a larger societal aspect where they feel outcasted by the religious Thai culture. The documentary also follows contestants participating in one of the largest transgender beauty pageants known as Miss Tiffany’s Universe and illustrates the process/competitiveness that takes place during the beauty pageant.