In Thai Buddhism, Kathoey are often seen as a legitimate third sex, sometimes believed to be the result of karma from past lives.

The term is the Thai word for transgender women or effeminate gay men, and it has been part of the nation's social fabric for centuries.

In Thailand, the community often referred to as "ladyboys"—or more accurately, —occupies a unique and deeply integrated space in society. While tourists frequently encounter them in high-energy entertainment districts, their lifestyle extends far beyond the stage into every facet of Thai daily life. Cultural Roots & Identity