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 you should keep in mind before entering the world of transgender artists. (Want a local to show you around too? Find a local guide in Thailand.)

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. “Kathoey” is the Thai term, usually translated as “transgender women”; the English word “ladyboy” is common in tourism, but some people find it disrespectful. Some kathoey simply enjoy expressing themselves in a feminine way, while others have gone through a medical transition and identify as women.

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 after the show. Photos are part of the experience, but always ask before any physical contact and follow the performer’s lead. Do remember to tip them afterward! A tip of around 100 baht per photo is usual. 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. In Ruth’s view, boys grow up surrounded by girls, and some of them discover early on that they identify as female.

 “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. According to Ruth, performers start from 18 years old and many continue their work in cabaret shows until around 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 making a night of it by the river: a dinner cruise such as the Chao Phraya Princess Cruise, followed by the Calypso Cabaret show at Asiatique The Riverfront. Many operators sell the two as one package.

The cruise itself is a two-hour buffet dinner along the Chao Phraya River with live music and Thai dance, passing the lit-up temples and palaces of the riverside. Then head to Calypso, one of Bangkok’s best-known cabaret theatres, where performers have to pass tough auditions before they make it on stage. Glamorous costumes, big musical numbers and plenty of humour make it a great introduction to Thai cabaret.

Some tips and notice for an enjoyable cabaret show in Thailand:

1. Remember to tip the hard-working cabaret show performers
2. Taking pictures with performers is welcome, but ask before touching anyone and follow their lead
3. Although it is their job to be a transgender artist, showing respect is always important
4. Treat performers as the professional artists they are, not as a curiosity

Thailand is one of the most open places in Asia for the transgender community, and cabaret shows are a top attraction for visitors. If you don’t know where to start, a local tour guide like Ruth is always a good solution: find a local guide, browse our Bangkok tours, or customize your trip to explore the culture in a better way.

Meet our tour guide:

from MyProGuide Thailand

Ruth | You’ll love where i take you.