Cabaret Shows and Transgender Artists in Thailand | The Knowns and Unknowns
Thailand, a place where traditional culture and unique features bind together. Soaking in the warm heat of Southeast Asia, cabaret shows with transgender artists dancing under the glimmered lights, and passionate festivals awaiting. MyProGuide’s local tour guide in Thailand, Ruth, is here to tell you all what cabaret shows are all about, where to visit cabaret shows, and what should you have in mind before entering the world of transgender artist.
Here are some Thailand travel tips for you.
Thailand’s cabaret shows are worldwide famous, especially transgender shows. It is famous because transgender culture has assimilated into their society and is a part of their daily life. “Kathoeys” in Thai, also known as “transgender women”, or “ladyboys” in English vocabulary. Those ladyboys are men who choose to have a feminine appearance. Some of them simply enjoy the pleasure from dressing as the opposite sex, and the others have gone under a series of transition process to female and identify themselves as transgender.
When you go out for breakfast and the people sitting around you are transgender people, it is not a weird phenomenon to see in Thailand. Apart from the delicious food from Thailand, transgender culture might be one of the reasons why Thailand is such an attracting destination to visit.
Are there different kinds of cabaret shows?
There are two types of transgender show: first, normal cabaret show. The transgender artists sing, dance, and take photos with you. It is considered normal for people to touch their breasts and private areas, because it is their job to make you feel that you are interacting with a transgender person. But do remember to tip them afterward! Tipping costs around $100 bhat. It’s not much but is considered as being polite, this is one of the Thailand travel tips you must keep in mind. The second kind of show is more for adults since some naked scenes are included.
Why do so many people become transgender artists especially in Thailand?
You may wonder, “Why do people choose to become transgender artists?”
According to our Thailand tour guide Ruth, Buddhism is an important religion in Thailand. Thai men are expected to enter a monastery before marriage as a sign that he will be a devoted and thoughtful husband, being able to guide his wife on the right path.
Some women might not even marry a man that has not had such experience. As a result, there are more female than male in Thailand. Young boys tended to be affected by young girls since childhood and some of them might wanted to become a transgender person. Thai men are also allowed to have more than one girlfriend, which is seen as very common and usual because of the population between male and female are lopsided.
“When there are 20 kids in a room, 15 are girls and 5 are boys, they grew up together. The boys are affected by the girls, seeing them doing make-up…” Ruth added. Young transgender artists are allowed to perform from 18 years old and continue their work in cabaret shows until the age of 40. Some people choose to become transgender artists because the money they earn is higher than most of the other jobs.
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Recommended from the local tour guide: Places to watch transgender cabaret shows
If you are looking for the best experience of transgender cabaret show, tour guide Ruth suggests the Chao Phraya Princess Cruise.
It is not just another usual boat ride like you usually expect. Before having the opportunity to perform on the cruise, the transgender artists have to pass through several difficult competitions. It is known that the transgender artists on Chao Phraya Princess Cruise are the most beautiful and outstanding ones in Thailand! Other than cabaret shows, you can also enjoy nice decent buffet meal on the cruise. Beer, champagne, and beautiful faces, all aboard the Chao Phraya Princess Cruise to sail towards the greatest vacation ever.
Some tips and notice for an enjoyable cabaret show in Thailand:
- Remember to tip the hard-working cabaret show performers
- Touching is allowed when taking pictures (They might even grab your hand to touch their breasts)
- Although it is their job to be a transgender artist, showing respect is always important
- Transgender artists are normal humans, not freaks
Entire city streets dedicated to the transgender community, and transgender shows are a top attraction for visitors, if you don’t know where to start, custom tour guides like Ruth are always a good solution, Customize your tour to enjoy a better way of exploring the greatness of unknown culture.
Meet our tour guide:
from MyProGuide Thailand
Ruth | You’ll love where i take you.
泰國人妖秀文化是怎麼來的？
一個融入傳統文化和在地特色的神秘國度，擁有南國陽光的炙熱懷抱，婀娜多姿的人妖歌舞，金碧輝煌的座座廟宇，熱情奔放的節日慶典，想眺望芭達雅海灣的一望無際的湛藍嗎？想知道公主號上有什麼美麗的事物嗎？讓我們跟著資深導遊Ruth的步伐走跳泰國吧。
這個亞熱帶神秘國度孕育出美麗的傳統，Ruth推薦到泰國一定要看人妖秀，甚至強烈推薦上芭達雅的東方公主號去觀賞這些美麗的人類。不僅可以在船上欣賞人妖曼妙的舞姿，還可以與他們共進晚餐，當然船上也有提供香檳和啤酒，非常適合放鬆身心。這些容貌清秀的「美女」要進公主號上班是非常不容易的，除了年紀受限之外（僅接受十八歲至三十歲），他們還要能歌善舞，才能通過嚴苛的考核，這也是為什麼船上的每位員工個個都美得讓人目眩神迷。
人妖表演分為兩種，一種是歌舞表演、與遊客親近拍照，包括摸人妖的胸部和生殖器，全身上下的部位都可以摸，需要支付一百塊泰銖(小費)，這算是表演的一部分；另一種是限制級，會有脫光衣服、做愛等場景，是一種成人秀。人妖最小的年紀是十八歲，可以工作到三十至四十歲，工資非常高，通常以養家為主。
為什麼他們要變性表演人妖秀呢?
Ruth 說: 有些人是受身邊的人影響，例如同班的男生同學會受女生同學影響而開始化妝，言行舉止也越來越像女生。也有一些人是因為人妖秀的工資比較優渥，所以選擇變性來養家。
看人妖秀請注意以下幾點：
1. 記得給這些辛苦工作的表演者小費
2. 可以觸摸表演者身體(他們甚至會抓起你的手去觸碰)
3. 給予基本的尊重是必需的，請尊重包容友善
4. 他們都是正常人類，請不要投以異樣的目光
整個城市對多元性別都非常友善，所以請懷有一顆尊重包容的心，去看待這些美麗的表演。讓人妖秀成為你旅行清單的一項，你將享有一趟很棒的泰國行。
如果你不知道從何玩起，像Ruth這類的當地導遊會是個好選擇，他們能夠領你深入參觀探索你不知道的國度。
