Contestants at the Miss Tiffany Unlimited Sexy Star Contest 2009 for transgender people in the resort city of Pattaya, about 93 miles southeast of Bangkok. (Patrick Winn/GlobalPost)

The pageantry of the "Third Gender"

Video: Man, woman, or something else? Take a walk on Thailand's wild side.

By Patrick Winn - GlobalPost
Published: June 1, 2009 10:06 ET
Updated: June 13, 2009 17:53 ET

PATTAYA, Thailand — They're known as the "katoey," or transgender people, and they are an important part of Thai culture.

Katoeys are found across Thailand — in urban areas, in rural villages, in cabarets and restaurants, in films, newspapers and, yes, on the stages of beauty pageants.

Here's a look at the "Miss Tiffiny Unlimited Sexy Star Contest," in the beach resort of Pattaya, which drew an television audience of some 15 million people.

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Comments:

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Posted by bananaripe on June 30, 2009 23:13 ET

That's right Patrick. And it is one of the reason that we have name ourselves "Amazing Thailand" =) lol
It is normal in Thailand to have third gender around everywhere, I do have friend like this and they are very good at cooking, dressing, socializing and the best friend who will be by your side when you needed too.

Posted by welove on July 11, 2009 14:06 ET

I'm quite strongly agree with the above comment. Are you originally from Thailand? I have a couple of friends are living in Pataya(spell correct?). I would say Pataya has a lots of lady boys! They are everywhere all over Thailand and they are well accepted in nationwide. No questions why lot of Farang lady boy wants to live in thailand!
HGH,fan of Thailand

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