AusWaThai Exec Tours Bangkok: Flying high with Ladyboys

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Flying high with Ladyboys

P.C. Air, which will fly to several Asian destinations starting in April, had its first training session this week for 30 recruits, including four from "the third sex."

Four Thai transsexuals -- known within the culture as "ladyboys" -- have been recruited as flight attendants for a start-up charter airline that says it will be Thailand’s first to include transsexuals among its cabin crew.

Thailand is known for its tolerance for transvestites and transsexuals, known locally as "katoeys" or "ladyboys." An annual transsexual beauty pageant is broadcast nationally, and Thai doctors’ well-honed skills at the surgeries needed to switch genders -- not to mention bargain prices -- have made Bangkok a sex-change capital.

But while katoeys are prominent in entertainment, frequently appearing on television series and in cabaret shows, other job opportunities are limited.

"I had applied to many airlines and was repeatedly turned down. They said because I was a transsexual, not a real woman," said Phuntakarn Sringern, 24, from Bangkok. "This is the first time somebody told me to come as I am and put on my best dress."

"This is the first time somebody told me to come as I am and put on my best dress."

Company president Peter Chan, 47, who worked as a flight attendant for 10 years, said he doesn’t "see any reasons we cannot let ladyboys work as flight attendants" as long as his carrier complies with civil aviation laws.

"I think it’s time for the Thai society to be more open and support freedom of all sexes," he said.

The airline has separate orientation sessions for male and female recruits, and the transsexuals have been placed with the natural-born women. Chan said the transsexuals must live up to feminine standards.

"For ladyboys, we have to spend more than one day with them to make sure they can keep their feminine personalities. Their voices and their postures must be naturally feminine and they must be very patient," he said.

Becoming a flight attendant has long been the dream of Dissanai Chitpraphachin, 23, a native of Mahasarakam province in Thailand’s rural northeast and a former winner of the Miss Tiffany pageant for transsexuals.

"When I was young, I couldn’t take my eyes off those nicely dressed ladies in the airline commercials every time they came on the screen," Dissanai said. "I simply want everyone to open up their hearts and judge us by our work, not because of our sex."

Ladbyoys Bangkok - The good, the bad and the Ugly

Auswathai reporters recently visit several venues in Bangkok

1st timers should visit Calypso Cabaret, a high end tourism venue located in the 5star Asian Hotel. This is the Good

Photo left Auswathai reporter John with 2 of the many performers

ok lets' talk stage 2...

If you dare to adventure visit "Esan Leela, Chong Nongsi, Bangkok Thailand. This is not tourism, it's local - you need a Thai host!

INTRODUCING our 3rd gender friends Khun Oli and Khun Fah with Khun Phill from Auswathai.

Your not likely to know what's going on, unless you can speak Thai. It was quite frightening, so much so we went back for more!

The girls/guys are real people with big hearts, a genuine smile and hospitality culture makes you feel welcome. Khun Fah is now quickly becoming a fan of our visiting tour groups from Australia and joins some of our outings.

This venue is definitely not the bad, it's great but you will panic because your not sure of the surrounds!

The Bad - There are several ladyboy bars that are quite course and cheap (don't let them reflect your thinking of all all such places).

The Ugly - some venues (we don't mention them here) and more the freelance walkers will target you for scams ... use some common sense otherwise remember the "rules for being human" (you can search that in this blog)

Watch this space for our up coming report on Ladyboy venues Bangkok.