Western media and tourism often narrowly focus on the "ladyboy" image through the lens of sex work or cabaret performances.

In Thailand, kathoey (often spelled ktoy ) refers to individuals assigned male at birth who identify as female.

: Some Thai schools have officially recognized a third gender, even creating specific facilities for kathoey students to ensure a supportive environment.

: The word "ladyboy" is an English term primarily used by foreigners; it is not typically how the community refers to itself within Thailand.

: While there is a visible presence in the tourism and entertainment industries, the vast majority of Thailand's estimated 200,000 transgender people lead everyday lives in diverse professions. Health and Transition

: Gender reassignment surgery (GRS) is a specialized surgical process that transforms male genitalia into female structures.

: Some individuals use contraceptive pills, often available without a prescription in Thailand, to increase female hormones during their transition.