In Thailand and parts of Southeast Asia, kathoeys have historically been viewed as a "third gender" rather than purely as men or women.
Many modern kathoeys identify specifically as transgender women ( phuying ). Organizations like the Asia Pacific Transgender Network (APTN) advocate for legal recognition and rights for these communities.
Pictures associated with this term typically fall into several categories:
In Thai Buddhism, gender diversity is often viewed through the lens of karma , suggesting that individuals are born this way due to actions in past lives. Media and Visual Representation