While "ladyboy" can be seen as offensive or fetishizing by foreigners, the term has been largely reclaimed and used by many kathoey within Southeast Asia.
Some identify as transgender women, while others prefer the traditional kathoey identity, which may not always include gender affirmation surgery.
Many in Thailand believe that being a kathoey is a result of Karma from past lives, viewing them with acceptance or pity rather than moral condemnation.
Some Thai residents emphasize that kathoey are distinct from transgender women in the strict Western binary sense, though many kathoey also identify as trans. Ladyboys in Tourism and Media
They are widely visible in Thai society, working in varied fields such as hospitality, entertainment, retail, and education, rather than just nightlife. Identity and Terminology
In Thai culture, kathoey is a recognized, traditional gender identity that has existed for centuries.