How Thailand continues to show apathy for its transgenders while maintaining a show of tolerance

Last year, Nepal's Supreme Court ordered the government to legally recognise the third sex. The small country also boasts an openly gay MP, Sunil Pant. Next door in India, the government of Tamil Nadu state established a transgender welfare board and issued orders announcing unfettered access to education and counselling services. Local filmmaker, D Sivakumar, is also directing a mainstream movie that aims to highlight the need for family acceptance for transgenders, starring India's first transgender heroine.

This year, the Delhi High Court decriminalised homosexuality, abolishing a 150-year-old colonial law. Transgenders in Tamil Nadu are also scaling new heights. With the help of an NGO, they are setting up a chain of traditional snack shops, as a source of income and to boost confidence as well as to overcome stigma and discrimination.

So where's Thailand? Despite being traditionally regarded as tolerant towards its transgender citizens, this country is frozen in apathy when it comes to their welfare, showing no will to help improve their livelihoods. Evidence is mounting that behind the "Thai smile" lurks a range of feelings varying from condescending pity to outright aversion.

Two years ago, transgender Sutthirat "Mod" Simsiriwong cried foul when a nightclub in an international chain hotel barred her entry. Today, many venues in Khao San and other tourist areas still have silent policies to deny admission to transgenders. Blatant "No Katoey Allowed" signs can be spotted from time to time.

However, geographical prohibition is simply a more obvious symptom of a much uglier truth. LGBT Thais are often the victims of arbitrary bans. The shut down of the Chiang Mai Gay Pride in January and this month's barring of katoeys and gays from participating in the Loy Kratong festival in the same city are some recent examples.

Transgender students are locked out from certain faculties, among them education and, in some institutions, medicine. Regardless of faculties, most universities forbid transgenders from attending the prestigious graduation ceremony if they don't dress in their 'correct' gender.

Although Thai transgenders are all very visible, you can always predict where and when you'll find them. The few who are lucky enough to afford beauty may aspire to become showgirls or pageant queens. But the overwhelming majority is confined to menial jobs and prostitution. There are few open paths in between. All the more respect is due to the very few who blaze their own path with zero support from society. 

CNN last week reported on a 10-year-old US kid -  Will Phillips - who refused to stand for the pledge of allegiance until there's truly "liberty and justice for all". It's about time for Thailand to wipe the Mona Lisa-like smirk from its face and learn from him.

The writer can be contacted at asiantrekker@yahoo.com