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‘3rd gender’ acknowledged in Thai new constitution
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH
THE NATION January 14, 2015 1:00 am
THE CONSTITUTION Drafting Committee (CDC) agreed yesterday to note the “third gender” or people of different sexuality in the new Constitution, a move likely to empower transgender people so they have rights equal to others in society under the law.
It will be the first time the gender will be acknowledged in a constitution.More details here (link)
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4 Replies
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This is a very positive step. The limited time I had in Thailand led me to feel that gender diverse people are more tolerated than accepted. In a Lonely Planet guide there was an article on transgendered people.The trans women who was Iinterviewed described having to use toilets on the top floor of the building she worked in as she was not permitted to use the female or male toilets.
I had no problems while I was there but then I was a tourist spending money and they probably thought I was a bit crazy anyway.
It will be interesting to see if public opinion changes after this, still a very good step in the right direction.
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Lets hope that our present Prime Minister will introduce similar legislation here . I understand he was a tower of strenght for Kate Mc Gregor so perhaps he can extend his goodwill to all Tg people – it may be the only good thing he does while in office
Hugs
Suzz -
I have been living in Thailand on and off for more than 16 years and have always felt a lot happier and safer going out here. In the main, TGs are accepted in all walks of life: I have met TG university students, receptionists, restaurant workers, sales persons, airline cabin staff and of course there are the “lady-boys” in the sex industry. The cosmetics people in the big department stores usually have at least one TG sales rep – the last time I bought eye-liner was from one such person and we had such fun I ended up buying the most expensive stuff ha ha! Some universities toyed with the idea of creating third gender toilets but really no one seemed to mind who used what.
Sometimes there are internal family problems created by the realisation that they have TG offspring. Also TGs are not allowed to receive their university degree from a member of the royal family dressed opposite to their birth sex. “Disrespectful” they say. After the new constitution becomes law perhaps that will change; I hope so.
Incidentally, when I worked at a university in Bangkok, I seemed to encounter more FTM TGs than MTF.
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Hi Martina,
I’m glad to hear that your experience has been more positive than I expected, as I said I was only there for a short time. For trans people to be considered for inclusion in the new Constitution does indicate a greater degree of acceptance and inclusion.
