Recently, a high school in northern Thailand called Kampang had launched what could be a start of an initiative to extend courtesy and consideration towards the country’s transgender community. Mainly, this one high school has taken the initiative towards making restrooms for transgender students. This has taken into effect back in May and the symbol is a guy on one half and a girl on the other side.
After looking at a recent poll, the principal took the initiative. Almost 250 out of 2,500 students are classified as being transgender. In Thailand, they are known as “kathoey” or “ladyboys.” Regardless of such a label, Thailand is very tolerant towards the transgender community. Despite political and social hurdles, the transgender community is common and accepted into everyday society.
It is not uncommon for men to undergo sex changes into women.
There’s even a Muay Thai team that consists of such kathoey. Keep in mind that Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand. In a nutshell, just about everywhere in Thailand is pretty liberal towards the transgender community.
One such known kathoey is former Muay Thai kickboxing champion Nong Toom. She was born as a boy named Parinya Kiatbusaba. Before being Nong Toom, Priniya’s trademark was planting kisses on his defeated opponents in the ring.
When Toom as a male competed in Muay Thai, the sport was in a slump. Toom breathed new life into the sport. There was a story based on her life called “Beautiful Boxer.” Now, she works in modeling and acting.
For those that plan to study Muay Thai in Thailand, Toom plans to open a Muay Thai camp in Hua Hin called “Parinya Muay Thai.”
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