Katoï : Thaïlande, le royaume des ladyboys (Un coeur de fille dans un corps de garçon)

Summary

在泰国首都曼谷，一位名叫Poy Treechada的25岁超级模特正在为其代言的减肥茶品牌拍摄新广告。Poy不仅是一位成功的模特，还是一位变性人，她的故事和泰国的Katoey（第三性）文化被深入探讨。视频展示了泰国社会对Katoey的接受程度，以及他们如何通过手术和荷尔蒙治疗追求女性化的过程。同时，揭示了这一现象背后的商业化和对年轻Katoey可能的健康风险。

Takeaways

• 🏙️ 泰国首都曼谷正在为一个新品牌的减肥茶准备广告活动。
• 🌟 25岁的超模Poy Treechada是这个品牌的新形象代言人。
• 📈 Poy Treechada是泰国最知名的模特之一，她对自己的外貌非常小心，因为她需要代表各种产品。
• 🔄 Poy曾经是男性，九年前通过手术改变了性别。
• 🎭 在泰国，跨性别者被称为Katoey，这个词也用来指代变性人和变装者。
• 🏆 泰国每年都会举办一场名为Miss International Queen的选美比赛，这是为世界上最美丽的变性人举办的。
• 👩‍💼 在泰国，Katoey可以过上正常的生活，甚至在官方场合中也不会受到阻碍。
• 🏫 泰国的一些学校已经开始正式承认第三种性别的存在，并为此提供了专门的设施。
• 💊 在泰国，年轻Katoey可以轻易地在药店购买到激素药物，而无需处方。
• 🩺 泰国的变性手术业务正在蓬勃发展，但在一些案例中，手术可能带来严重的副作用和风险。
• 🎉 泰国的Katoey文化在国际上得到了认可，Miss International Queen的胜利为泰国带来了骄傲和荣誉。

Q & A

Poy Treechada 是谁？

Poy Treechada 是一位25岁的超级模特，也是泰国最知名的模特之一，她曾接受变性手术，成为了一名女性。

Poy Treechada 为什么决定进行变性手术？

Poy Treechada 从小就觉得自己是一个女性，被困在男性身体里。她尝试过作为一个男性生活，但感觉像是在折磨自己，因此决定通过手术改变自己的性别。

在泰国，Katoey 是什么意思？

在泰国，Katoey 是用来指代变性人和跨性别者的术语，这个词也用来描述那些天生就认为自己是另一种性别的人。

泰国的 Katoeys 在社会中是如何被接受的？

泰国的 Katoeys 在社会中被广泛接受，他们可以过上正常的生活，甚至在政府机构中担任重要职务，如市长。他们也在媒体和娱乐行业中占有一席之地。

泰国有多少 Katoeys？

据估计，泰国有近20万的 Katoeys，这个数字是法国同等人口的20倍。

Kop 是谁，他在社会中担任什么角色？

Kop 是一位认为自己是女性的 Katoey，他在一个小城市中被选为市长，并且以超过60%的选票赢得了选举。

在泰国，Katoey 现象是如何与佛教观念相结合的？

在泰国佛教中，人们相信如果一个人在前世行为不端，比如犯下通奸等罪行，那么他们在今生可能会转世为 Katoey，这是一种对前世罪行的惩罚。

Miss International Queen 是什么？

Miss International Queen 是一个每年在泰国举行的国际性选美比赛，旨在选出世界上最美丽的变性女性，比赛通过电视直播，吸引了大量观众。

Sami 为什么要参加 Miss International Queen 比赛？

Sami 参加 Miss International Queen 比赛是为了代表泰国，展示第三性别的人在社会中也有他们的位置，并且她希望通过这个平台让她的父母感到骄傲。

Sami 在 Miss International Queen 比赛中的表现如何？

Sami 在 Miss International Queen 比赛中表现出色，最终赢得了冠军，这是泰国四年来首次赢得这个比赛。

Hêk 对变性手术的看法是什么？

Hêk 对变性手术持批评态度，她认为手术毁了她的生活，使她失去了性快感。她认为新一代的 Katoeys 在决定进行手术前应该深思熟虑，并对手术风险有充分的了解。

Outlines

00:00

🌟 曼谷的变性模特与广告拍摄

视频脚本介绍了在泰国曼谷，一位名叫Poy Treechada的25岁超级模特正在为一个减肥茶品牌拍摄新广告。Poy以其专业的拍摄技巧和对最佳拍摄角度的了解而著称。她强调自己对外貌的重视，因为她需要代表各种产品。Poy拥有完美的身材，并且定期出现在杂志封面上。然而，Poy并非一直是一位美丽的女性，九年前，她是一个男孩。通过变性手术，她变成了女性，并且在泰国被称为Katoey，这个词也用来指代变性人和跨性别者。视频还探讨了Katoey在泰国社会中的接受程度和他们的生活方式。

05:01

🏆 泰国小镇的Katoey市长

视频展示了泰国一个小镇的市长Kop，他是一位Katoey，两年前以超过60%的选票当选。Kop每天以化妆开始，认为作为市长应该保持良好的形象。他对自己的身份有着深刻的认识，认为自己是一个被困在男性身体里的女性。尽管Kop的外表和行为可能与传统的市长形象不符，但他在社区中仍然受到尊重，并且能够有效地执行市长的职责，如打击毒品贩卖和在洪水期间帮助人们。Kop的故事反映了泰国社会对Katoey的接受和尊重。

10:02

👑 泰国Katoey的国际选美大赛

视频讲述了泰国Katoey参加国际选美大赛的故事。Sami，一位21岁的通信学生，作为泰国的代表参赛，她接受了专业的训练，以准备比赛。Sami在彩排中学习如何像顶级模特一样走秀，并展现出女性的优雅。她将穿着传统的泰国服装——纱笼参赛，并在泳装环节中展示她的自信和美丽。视频还提到了泰国社会对Katoey的接受程度，以及他们在国际舞台上的表现。

15:04

🎓 泰国学校的第三性别认可

视频探讨了泰国东北部农村地区的Kamphaeng学院，该学院正式承认了学校的第三性别学生。学院有1300名学生，其中5%的男性学生认为自己是Katoey。学院甚至建造了专门的第三性别厕所，这是泰国的首创。视频还展示了Katoey学生的生活，他们对美的追求，以及他们对未来的期望。一些学生甚至表示愿意接受变性手术，以实现自己成为女性的愿望。

20:05

💊 泰国Katoey的荷尔蒙治疗和风险

视频讨论了泰国Katoey为了追求女性化特征而使用的荷尔蒙治疗方法，以及这些治疗方法可能带来的健康风险。许多年轻的Katoey在没有医疗指导的情况下，随意购买和使用荷尔蒙药物，这可能导致严重的健康问题。视频还提到了泰国缺乏对Katoey使用荷尔蒙治疗的研究和统计数据，以及对这一群体的保护措施的缺失。

25:06

🏥 泰国的变性手术产业

视频展示了泰国变性手术产业的现状，包括高端诊所和廉价诊所。高端诊所如Doctor Kamol的诊所，提供豪华的环境和服务，而廉价诊所如Doctor Thêp的诊所，则在简陋的环境中进行手术。视频还讲述了一位名叫Bî的患者，他在廉价诊所进行了变性手术，手术过程中他保持半清醒状态。此外，视频还提到了变性手术后的生活变化，以及一些患者对手术结果的不满。

30:14

🎉 泰国Katoey的国际选美大赛胜利

视频记录了Sami在国际选美大赛中的胜利。Sami代表泰国参赛，并最终赢得了Miss International Queen 2011的称号。她的成功不仅是个人的荣耀，也是泰国的骄傲。Sami的父母和教练都对她的胜利感到非常高兴和自豪。Sami的胜利象征着Katoey在泰国社会中的地位和接受度，同时也为她个人的未来开辟了新的道路。

Keywords

💡曼谷

曼谷是泰国的首都，视频中提到了在曼谷市中心的一个摄影棚里，一个减肥茶品牌正在准备新的广告活动。这个城市不仅是泰国的政治和经济中心，也是文化和时尚的汇聚地，视频中的许多故事都发生在这里。

💡变性人

变性人是指那些通过手术或激素治疗改变自己生理性别的人。在视频中，变性人被称为'Katoey'，这是一个泰国特有的术语，用来指代那些在生理上是男性，但在心理上认同为女性的个体。

💡第三性

第三性是指除了男性和女性之外的另一种性别认同，通常与跨性别者、变性人或性别非二元个体相关。在泰国，第三性通常与Katoey相关联，他们在社会中有着独特的地位和认同。

💡变性手术

变性手术是指通过医学手段改变个体的生理性别特征的一系列手术。在视频中，变性手术被视为Katoey们追求完整自我和女性化身份的一种方式，手术被视为一种重生和治愈的过程。

💡国际皇后小姐

国际皇后小姐是一个全球性的变性人选美比赛，参赛者来自世界各地。这个比赛不仅是一场展示美丽和魅力的舞台，也是Katoey们争取社会认同和尊重的重要途径。

💡性别认同

性别认同是指个体对自己性别的内在感知和理解，这可能与出生时分配的生理性别不符。视频中的Katoey们有着强烈的性别认同感，他们认为自己生来就是女性，只是被困在了男性的身体里。

💡激素治疗

激素治疗是指通过服用或注射激素类药物来改变个体的第二性征，通常用于跨性别者在性别过渡期间。在视频中，一些年轻的Katoey通过服用避孕药来增加女性荷尔蒙，以促进女性化的身体变化。

💡社会接受度

社会接受度是指社会大众对于某一群体或现象的容忍和认同程度。在视频中，泰国社会对Katoey的接受度相对较高，他们在日常生活中和公共场合中的存在并不罕见，甚至在政治和媒体领域也有所体现。

💡性别焦虑

性别焦虑是指个体对自己生理性别与性别认同不一致时所经历的心理痛苦和不适。视频中的Katoey们经历了性别焦虑，他们感到自己生来就是另一种性别，这种内在的冲突驱使他们寻求通过手术或激素治疗来改变生理性别。

💡性别表达

性别表达是指个体通过服装、发型、化妆等方式来展示和传达自己的性别认同。在视频中，Katoey们通过精心打扮和化妆来表达他们的女性身份，这是他们性别表达的重要组成部分。

💡性别多样性

性别多样性是指社会和文化中存在的多种性别认同和表达方式。视频中展示了泰国社会对性别多样性的接受，尤其是对Katoey这一群体的认识和理解，体现了性别认同的多元性。

Highlights

在泰国首都曼谷，一个新品牌的减肥茶正在进行广告活动。

25岁的超级模特Poy Treechada是这个新品牌的标志。

Poy七年前开始职业生涯，如今是泰国最著名的模特之一。

Poy非常注重外貌，因为她需要代表各种产品，所以必须好好照顾自己的身体。

Poy的体重是48公斤，身高1米71，拥有84-60-90的梦想身材。

Poy九年前是一个男人，后来通过手术改变了性别。

在泰国，Poy被称为Katoey，意为生错性别的女人。

泰国的Katoey人数接近20万，是法国同等人口的20倍。

Katoey在泰国社会中被广泛接受，他们可以过上完全正常的生活。

Kop是一个Katoey，他在一个小镇上被选为市长，得到了超过60%的选票。

泰国每年都会举办一场名为Miss International Queen的选美比赛，这是为世界上最美丽的变性人举办的。

Sami是21岁的通讯学生，她是泰国在Miss International Queen选美比赛中的候选人。

在泰国东北部的Isan地区，一个学院正式承认学校存在第三种性别。

Kamphaeng学院为Katoey学生建造了特殊的第三性别厕所，这是泰国的首创。

在泰国，年轻Katoey可以轻易地在药店购买到荷尔蒙药物，而不需要处方。

Hêk是一个公开批评变性手术的Katoey，他认为手术毁了他的生活。

在Pattaya的Tiffany's Cabaret举行的Miss International Queen选美比赛中，Sami被加冕为世界上最美丽的变性人。

Transcripts

We are in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand.

This morning in a studio downtown photo,

a great brand of slimming tea is preparing,

its new advertising campaign.

The new brand emblem,

it's this 25-year-old supermodel, Poy Treechada.

- Hold it high!

Poy started his career seven years ago.

Today is one of the models the most famous in Thailand.

- She's a professional.

She knows the angles of most flattering views.

And that really helps us for the shoot.

- I am very careful about my appearance.

I may be required to represent any kind of product,

so you really need to take care of my body.

48 kilos for 1m71 and dream measurements.

84 60 90, which are worth to him regularly,

magazine covers.

But Poy, didn't always was this beautiful young woman.

Nine years ago, he was a man.

Here she is, little boy.

That was before she decided to have surgery,

to change sex.

I have no explanation for that.

I grew up with a girl's heart in a boy's body.

I can't say why, but I always felt like a woman.

I tried hard to be a man, but it was like inflicting torture on me.

Did I have to go on to torture myself to please others?

There are those who tell me that I better be a man.

But why should that I force myself?

Everyone is free to do what they want.

Poy is what is called here a Katoey.

A woman born by mistake in a human body.

Thais use this term to designate as well,

operated transsexuals, like her, than transvestites.

For Western tourists, Katoeys are often reduced,

to this picture.

That of the Ladyboys, these men-women who fuck each other,

in red-light districts big cities.

It's even one of the clichés s**** tourism.

But this reality is only a very marginal aspect,

of what are really the Katoeys in the country.

Because here most lead a completely normal life.

And just take a walk meet them at the bend of a street.

At a restaurant terrace.

Or even at the supermarket checkout.

Even on TV there are animators dressed

and made up like women, on almost every channel.

Thai transsexuals would be nearly 200,000,

it is 20 times more than in France, with equal population.

So why are there so many?

How are they accepted by the Society ?

How far are these men capable of going to become,

the perfect woman ?

Immerse yourself in the mysterious universe,

of the third Thai s***.

Katoeys from Thailand: Meet the 3ᵉ s***

In Thailand, being Katoey does not prevent access to official functions.

We are at ****, a small town of 10,000 inhabitants,

40 kilometers from Bangkok.

Every morning, Kop starts his day,

with a touch of makeup.

- I am like this. I love beauty!

And at work I don't want look awful.

I think it's not good that my fellow citizens see me with an atrocious head.

So I add some color and frankly,

some would do well to do the same.

Here, Kop is someone important.

Two years ago, he was elected mayor of his city,

with more than 60% of the votes.

Her work outfit is this uniform provided by the administration.

- And you don't have them asked for a skirt?

- I never asked them.

It's very good like that !

I feel a bit like my behavior is not up to the uniform.

So I don't want break the rules.

I am already very grateful to the administration,

to accept me as I am.

Since adolescence, Kop is convinced that she is a woman,

imprisoned in a human body.

In his living room, which also serves as the town hall,

he hung a picture of himself, 20 years ago,

Dressed as a girl, he then partied every night.

But today, Kop became a respected official.

- Hello, this is the municipality, it is the mayor speaking to you.

This message is for motorcycle taxis.

You must introduce yourself to fill out the forms.

- Good morning.

- Sit down.

Mr. Mayor is a Katoey, but that in no way diminishes his authority.

- You see this photo that you brought me? She is too big!

That's not a photo ID!

She has to be like that. Yours is wrong.

Look at the others.

You see it everywhere, he erects roadblocks,

to combat drug trafficking.

They help people during the floods.

And then they also catch snakes, pythons.

He can do anything here.

- In your opinion, It is a boy or a girl ?

- It's hard to say !

Maybe both.

He has a feminine side, caring, helpful.

And a masculine side thanks to which he can cope with any situation.

Kop doesn't seem to bother either the monks of the village.

It must be said that for Buddhism,

transsexuals are not for nothing in what happens to them.

They would in fact be victims of a curse.

- We Buddhists believe,

that if we misbehave in a past life,

that we transgress the teaching of Buddha by committing adultery,

then we are doomed to be reborn as Katoey,

that's what we believe.

I'm cursed because from one of my past lives.

I've been an angel before.

I have been unfaithful and shameless.

So I was punished and fired in this body.

In Thai society,

the phenomenon of the 3rd s*** is today so entrenched,

what an amazing beauty contest dedicated to him every year.

It's the election of the most beautiful transsexual of the world, Miss International Queen.

broadcast on television, the competition continues to record audiences.

Last year, more than 20 million from Thai,

followed the event live.

But it's that Korean girl who had won.

So this year, Thailand is determined to take revenge,

with a shock candidate.

Her name is Sami, she is 21 years old and she is a communication student.

Like a real miss, she undergoes intensive training,

to be ready the day of the event.

As you walk, try to put your curves in value as much as possible.

It's important that we see your forms during the parade, really show them.

Go ahead.

Today, for Sami, this is the last rehearsal.

His 2 personal coaches teach him to parade like a top model

and behave like a real woman,

down to the smallest gestures.

- Turn around ! Yes !

Let go!

- I consider myself an authentic thai woman.

I will wear the costume traditional, the sarong.

And show what makes all the originality of Thailand.

I can't wait, very can't wait!

But I'm afraid of the accident and make a mistake,

or that my suit comes off.

It will really take let me pay attention.

The most dreaded test of the election, it's the parade in swimsuits.

this is where the competitors are separated.

Kwang, the choreographer, imagined a little scene.

Sami will have to rip off her sarong to reveal her bikini.

- You're pretty !

You are already very beautiful.

Now you have to bring out the joy.

That's the trick to scroll in swimming suit.

You have to pull the scarf suddenly.

Above all, do not hesitate.

- Yes, it must be fluid for the public!

- Once you have removed it, raises her head and smiles happily.

Like this, okay?

- It's been four years since we Thais,

did not win the contest of Miss International Queen.

We know that if it reaches the end,

that if she manages to win,

this will be a very good example for all Katoeys in Thailand.

It is in Pattaya that the competition will happen.

It is the biggest station resort in Thailand.

Every year it welcomes 7 million tourists,

came from all over the world.

The election will take place in one of the institutions of the city.

Tiffany's Cabaret.

Las Vegas style facade.

Rococo decor.

It's the biggest show transgender of the world.

It gathers up 60 artists on stage.

But make no mistake, all these dancers,

were born male.

A spectacle that attracts more than 500,000 people every year.

At the end of the show, we can approach the artists

and even leave with a photo,

for a small tip.

Meeting of the third s***.

Tourists love it!

- It's really magical, just like the name of the show.

Tiffany's! It's very "bling bling" and the people are so beautiful!

- We know very well that these are transsexuals,

but with their grace and talent,

they would give complexes to the most beautiful of women.

But tomorrow, the Tiffany's dancers,

will leave room for the candidates,

in the election of the most beautiful transgender of the world.

The competitors arrive at the cabaret.

They originate from twenty different countries.

For these young transsexuals of the whole world,

Thailand is El Dorado.

A place where discrimination towards the third sex do not exist.

In their countries, some of these candidates,

must live their transsexuality in secret,

Like, for example, Margaret,

the representative of Lebanon.

Jamila, Miss Sri Lanka.

Or Malaika, who comes from India.

Here, in front of a Thai audience,

the Misses will be able to let go.

To stand out from their competitors,

some candidates have therefore chosen devastating styles,

like the Philippines,

or even Nigeria.

And in a slightly different genre, Germany.

There is even a competitor to defend the colors of France.

- This is the national costume blue White Red.

We're trying to make a costume national a bit chic,

so as not to do the basics.

Estelle is 38 years old,

she came from Bourges to enter the contest.

For Sami, the Thai candidate,

the competition will be fierce,

but it has an advantage, she is playing at home.

- I think Thai people of all the country will be behind me,

because I represent them.

I will do my best to represent Thailand in the eyes of the world,

on the stage of Miss International Queen 2011.

On the big stage of the cabaret,

the official photo shoot will be an opportunity for the candidates,

to observe each other.

Estelle, the Frenchwoman,

evaluates its Asian competitors.

- The costume is nice.

Morphologically, we are not at all made the same.

It is certain that already at this level...

They are very small, all fine, all thin.

and surgery.

I do not know if It's got to be aesthetic, but...

Anyway, apparently, it is their vision of aesthetics.

I don't find it to be always very aesthetic to have,

a Tutankhamun chin.

In the shadow of Sami, a little man who does not leave her.

It's her hairdresser, personal make-up artist.

And he too is already beginning spot potential rivals.

- There are some foreign which are really pretty.

I look at all the candidates, I have to observe them well,

that way I will be able to adapt my best makeup

and make Sami win this contest.

Verdict in three days, the night of the final.

For millions of Thais,

victory is a question of national pride.

But this fascination of a whole country for miss transsexuals,

sometimes has consequences amazing about society.

We are in Isan, northeast of Thailand.

This rural area is one of the poorest in the country.

Here, the vast majority of the inhabitants lives from rice cultivation.

And yet it is at the heart of this remote province,

in the small town of Kamphaeng,

that a college has decided to officially recognize

the existence of a third *** at school.

The school has 1,300 students.

In the courtyard, a group of teenagers,

makeup fans.

They are between 13 and 15 years old and already behave like Katoyes.

All are fans of competitions of Miss Transsexuals, on television.

- Me, I want to be as pretty as they are.

And I'm ready to do anything for it.

Even cosmetic surgery.

- It's good to show that we, the Katoeys,

we can compete with women.

We can be more beautiful than women!

You just need to have self-confidence.

At Kamphaeng College,

5% of male students consider themselves already like Katoey,

a total of fifty boys.

This morning, 18 of them gathered in front of our camera.

- Among you who would like change s***?

At the age when teenagers usually are determined sexually,

these 11 students, more than half of the group,

already say they are ready for anything to become women.

In 2009, the number of Katoeys in the building,

led management to take a decision that surprised the whole country.

The college built special third s*** toilets.

A great first in the country.

A logo was even invented for the occasion.

A being half man, half woman.

And it's this teacher who had the idea.

- We did this because we are very concerned about the rights of all our students.

The Katoeys like the others.

The Katoeys students did not feel comfortable in the boys' bathroom.

They bothered them and pinched their buttocks.

And neither did they dare to go in the girls' bathroom,

for fear of being embarrassed.

- It makes our life easier.

Now we have our privacy.

Nobody but us don't use this toilet.

Them is 13 years old.

Last year, he started putting on makeup.

The college allows

provided you keep your hair short

and not to wear of women's clothing.

- I am a girl.

But I was born in a boy's body.

Some people laugh at me.

They tell me I'm a woman who lives in a human body.

- What does it do to you?

- I don't mind because it's true that I am a woman.

In his class Thêm is the only Katoey.

Well almost.

This is his Thai culture teacher.

- She is very beautiful,

but it looks like she has a wig,

and she talks a little too loud.

Miss Srinat is the only one school transgender teacher.

She has been working here for 7 years.

- In this school we have meetings with parents every semester.

And we have good feedback.

They tell us that we have a modern approach,

that we have been able to adapt to the evolution of mores.

On TV today

we see a lot of Katoeys who sets a good example.

And the parents understand that we are quite capable,

to teach their children.

There is no problem !

Thêm agreed to take us to his place.

He lives in the countryside about fifteen kilometers from the college,

in a small hamlet in the middle of the rice fields.

This is the family home.

At 13, Thêm already has her own bedroom.

On a prominent dressing table,

makeup products

and near the door, high heels.

There is only one thing that Thêm don't want to leave it lying around.

- What is this ?

- These are birth control pills.

For women.

But we use them for have more female hormones.

It's thanks to that that one can have chest.

Them to start taking the pill last month.

In Thailand, they are sold without a prescription,

and many young Katoeys, buy them freely.

- Who gave you the idea to take the pill?

- Poy Treechada.

A former Miss Katoey.

I saw it on TV.

She said she started to take these pills in college,

when she was 12 years old.

She said that was it who had made her so beautiful.

Poy Treechada is the model star that we had filmed,

during his photo shoot.

The media coverage of queens of beauty of the third s***,

would it be an explanation,

to the large number of very young Katoeys in Thailand?

Thêm has not yet confessed to his family that he was taking the pill.

His parents, rice farmers,

still haven't fully accepted their child becoming a Katoey.

For his father in particular,

the subject is still very painful to deal with.

After their day at work in the rice fields,

during the evening meal, Them's parents,

agree to confide.

- I did everything I could to prevent that.

I even burned his clothes.

It didn't change anything.

Should I continue to oppose my happiness?

As long as it becomes someone good, that's fine with me.

That he has a good conduct, a work.

I'm not totally old fashioned.

I accept modernity.

I can accept it.

Thêm's father seems resigned, but her mother still resists.

- I wish it were really a man.

I don't want him to become a Katoey.

I want him to be a strong man. Not that he's getting effeminate.

- I understand them. They suffer because of me.

But I don't know what to do.

I'm unhappy for them to be as I am.

But I'm happy that they accept me anyway.

Once a week, Thêm and his Katoey friends from college,

meet at the night market by Si Sa Ket,

the only big city around.

Their favorite hobbies it's shopping.

- I would like this dress.

- We'll haggle 10 baht less!

- Will it suit me?

The teenager is determined to go until the end of its transformation.

He will continue to take the pill

and plan to change sex as soon as he can afford it.

What are the risks for these young people who administer female hormones,

from the age of 13?

In Thailand, some are beginning to worry.

Natty is one of the main figures of the homosexual cause in the country.

He believes that, in the absence of control,

the system crashed and that today

transsexuals are in danger.

- Without any medical control,

we let the Katoeys buy easily whatever they want.

And that will create a lot of problems.

Later, the health of these young transsexuals will become very bad.

Natty wants to show us how easy it is,

to get hormones without a prescription,

at any pharmacy.

- I would like to buy birth control pills.

You have some ?

Under the pharmacist's counter,

the three flagship products used by the Katoeys,

to play on hormonal assays.

There is the birth control pill.

But also female hormones, in an injectable version.

And this third product, a mysterious medicine.

- In fact, this one, it's against prostate cancer.

But transsexuals, they use it to lower their male hormones.

A cancer drug for inhibit testosterone production.

You can find it over the counter here.

only protection,

just a poster behind the desk.

It says if the Katoeys abuse this product,

they will meet in the shoes of a 40-year-old man,

suffering from a deficiency in male hormone.

You have the list of symptoms here.

Insomnia, excessive sweating, inability to concentrate,

mood swings, depression, fatigue, weight gain,

loss of sexual desire and impotence.

- And all this influences their life expectancy?

- Yes.

- For what ?

- They live less old.

It's all because of this hormonal imbalance.

It affects the bones.

- Yes that's it. on the bones, but also on the muscles.

- Yes, on the blood vessels too.

Blood vessels and many other organs.

The pharmacist knows that taking of hormones can affect,

the life expectancy of these young boys,

but that does not prevent it to continue to sell.

Every month, he serves about thirty of transgender clients.

- Do you say no to them sometimes?

No ! It's a store. We are here to sell.

They have money to pay.

- So you sell to them?

- Yes, it's normal, isn't it?

- I think we need that the government,

introduce new ways to manage these drugs,

to protect the Katoeys.

They need it, but they also need information.

In Thailand, there are no studies statistics on the dangers encountered,

by the Katoeys in their quest for femininity.

And yet, the business of beauty transsexual is expanding.

For several years, Bangkok became the world capital,

s*** change surgery.

The clinics even pass newspaper advertisements,

and offer à la carte operations.

As in this ad for example,

on which we also find liposuction than a facelift.

And at the very top of the list, a sex change at $1625,

i.e. €1300.

In the capital, about twenty establishments practice,

almost daily operation.

The rising clinic, it is that of Doctor Kamol.

A brand new building.

Inside, the atmosphere is more luxury hotel than hospital.

Smiling welcome, designer decor.

And flowers on all floors.

Even the entrance to the operating room wants to be reassuring.

And here is the most beautiful clinic success,

Poy Treechada, her again,

the transsexual supermodel.

Its irreproachable plastic,

it is to this man that she owes it.

- Hello doctor !

- Hello Poy. How's it going ?

It's doctor Kamol, the surgeon who operated on him.

For Poy, as for all Katoeys,

this operation is considered like a new birth.

- The doctor is like a second father for me.

He turned me into someone of complete, of completed.

Some people think only to want to change s***,

we must be crazy or handicapped.

But it is the opposite. Change of s*** makes us complete beings.

Since I changed my s***, my life is better

and I no longer feel handicapped.

For me, sex change, it's not plastic surgery,

it is healing.

Doctor Kamol operates a hundred of Katoeys per year,

A figure he hopes to quadruple In the coming years,

thanks to the increase of Thai demand

and customers from abroad.

- I want our hospital to become a world reference in the field.

I also want our equipment,

our specialists,

be up to it international standards.

This is how patients around the world,

will want to come to us to have surgery.

This morning it's a Japanese patient who returns to the block.

Doctor Kamol will proceed the removal of his genitals,

then piece together a female s*** with a vagina and a clitoris,

preserving nerve endings.

Sexual pleasure is it seems, guaranteed.

Total cost of the operation in this high-end clinic,

€7000.

But rare are the Thais who can afford

luxurious clinics like this.

So most turn to standard establishments,

much less strict.

In the heart of downtown Bangkok,

in a street next to the stalls soup vendors,

a storefront that nothing distinguishes small shops in the neighborhood.

Apart from the mention "sex change",

change of s*** on the window.

Inside, no immaculate waiting room,

nor luxurious decoration.

Welcome to the aesthetic clinic cheapest in the whole country.

With Dr. Thêp, the veteran of the change of s***.

- We opened 25 or 30 years ago.

I'd never thought that would work just as well.

In the beginning, we had very few operations.

And then there was more and more people.

We can't push the walls, so there is very little room to work.

This is my little office.

And then there, there is a consultation room,

where we see patients.

And here,

this is the room where we eat all together, the staff and me.

And there, behind, is where we put patients after operations.

It's convenient because there is a sink

and we can cleanse their wounds.

The patient of the day is called Bî.

A 37-year-old Thai man.

- Why are you here ?

- I want the doctor to do some better to make me a woman.

Bi is moved. It's been 4 years that he saves to be able to afford,

his change of s***.

65,000 baht, or €1,200,

almost six times cheaper than at the luxury clinic.

- Okay, here we go.

But at that price, no time to linger.

This is the first time that Doctor Thêp meets his patient.

He will be satisfied a few questions.

- How long has it been do you have long hair?

- It was a long time ago.

you want to be a woman since your childhood?

Have you ever had a boyfriend?

- Yes, but we are separated.

- No girlfriend? - No.

- Have you ever slept with a girl? - No.

- Ok, so there's no problem.

For Doctor Thêp, this interview is sufficient.

For 3 years, a law imposes two certificate of psychological aptitude,

to be operated.

If the patient has them,

the surgeon only has to perform.

- I don't have an elevator, you have to go up on foot.

Head to the operating room upstairs.

At the entrance, hygiene standards a little special.

Bî is simply invited,

to wash one's feet in the toilets.

And here is the operating room.

So far, none of the nurses has no blouse.

No more than Doctor Thêp who comes in street clothes.

Another surprise, there is no anesthesiologist,

it is the surgeon himself, who performs the injection.

- She will remain semi-conscious during the operation.

She would like to sleep, but if you speak to her, she will answer.

- It's a bit special, isn't it? Is it a unique process?

- Most doctors don't like that.

They knock out their patients.

It is true that there is a risk but if you're good,

you don't need to fall asleep the patient completely.

- I'm so happy to be here.

- You see, she says she is very happy.

The operation begins

and indeed, the patient is not completely asleep.

- It's good !

A small extra dose anesthetic...

And the operation can continue in an atmosphere that is surprising to say the least.

I am a plastic flower,

in artificial colors.

"Plastic Flower",

it is the anthem of the Thai Katoeys.

Every day I feel very alone.

Because I was born by mistake.

- They all sing.

It's an anesthetic that puts you in a good mood.

Each time, I am entitled to a song.

The Chinese sing in Chinese and Westerners in their language.

The intervention will last 3 hours.

It's twice as fast as in Doctor Kamol's luxury clinic.

- Is it over, Doctor? - Yes.

Here, every change of s*** ends with an amazing ritual.

- Happy birthday !

- Welcome little girl! Welcome Bi! - THANKS.

- That's what we always do. We wish him a happy birthday.

These are our former patients who taught us this tradition.

It marks their passage with a body from a man to a woman's body.

Today is the day she becomes a woman in her own right.

She is happy. His life has changed.

It's like a rebirth.

In 25 years, Doctor Thêp operated more than 2000 Katoeys.

And the latest news, his patient Bî is doing wonderfully.

But this growing business also has its victims.

Rare are those who agree to talk about it.

Direction Koh Tao, an island in southern Thailand,

very popular with tourists for the beauty of its waters.

We have a rendez vous,

with the owner of this little Souvenir shop,

very close to the beaches.

Hêk is one of the few Katoeys to openly criticize,

the business of sex reassignment.

Because this operation shattered his life.

- I don't think about it all the time.

Otherwise, I'll go crazy!

But in the beginning, yes, I was just thinking about that.

I was a capable young man to experience pleasure s****

and the operation deprived me of it.

I thought about it all the time.

His operation in a large hospital from Bangkok,

Hêk experienced it as a mutilation.

It was sixteen years ago

since then, she has never had an orgasm again.

- I no longer have a s**** desire, more fun either.

Today, I tell myself that I would not have never had to change s***.

The new generation Katoeys should really think,

a long time before having surgery.

Hêk feels that she was not informed enough on the risks of changing s***

and that surgeons minimize,

the side effects of such an intervention.

- When you pay for this kind of operation, we have the right to be informed.

It's not the same as castrating a pig, a cat or a dog.

- Are there many in your case?

- Yes, there are many.

Today, it has become a fashion.

Everyone wants to have surgery.

There is likely to be more and more discount transactions.

I think we should really people to be better informed.

But in Thailand, those who criticize systematic recourse,

to hormones and surgery,

weigh very little compared to the images glamor of Katoey, queen for a night,

that television conveys.

In Pattaya, it's the big night at Tiffany's Cabaret.

The election of Miss International Queen, the most beautiful transsexual in the world,

will start in a few minutes.

Among the crowd of creatures,

of which we sometimes no longer know very well what sex they belong to.

Behind the scenes, alongside other competitors,

we find Sami, the Thai candidate.

Tonight is obviously local media favourite.

- My motivation today,

I want to make sure my parents be proud of me.

I represent the third s***.

And I want to show that I have everything my place in society.

I do it for my parents. I want them to be proud of me.

Among the public, a little apart, Sam's parents.

They came from the north of the country

and made 15 hours of bus to support it.

- I'm very happy to be here.

I really wish that my child succeeds.

I spoke to Sami on the phone this afternoon.

I told him : "Be brave,

focus on the scene."

Sami is ready.

She worked very hard for this contest.

She represents Thailand.

She can be proud of herself!

We are very proud of our child and what she is doing.

In the audience, there is also the coach of Sami who taught him to parade.

Kwan has already spotted his top three.

- I can see Miss Chile, number 21.

- Number five, of course, Thailand

and the Philippines.

I think these are the three favourites.

They are all three perfect.

This is Miss Philippines, one candidates that Kwan dreads the most.

The danger could also come of Miss Sri Lanka, looking very beautiful tonight.

- My ambition, it was to become a woman.

And here I am today as a woman.

I'm a woman !

Do you like who you have become?

- Yes, she is very pretty. Prettier than the little boy,

that I was in another life.

Estelle, the French candidate, prefer to keep a cool head.

- Prognosis ?

- No, it's useless. we are not in the minds of the judges,

so it's not worth it!

We'll see...

May the prettiest win!

The show begins.

It is broadcast live,

on one of the biggest channels Thai television.

- Good evening !

- Goodnight all ! Hello Thailand!

It looks like the Miss France election,

a big popular show,

where cabaret numbers follow one another and fashion show.

She's last year's winner. a spectacular Korean of 1m90,

which opens the ball.

Then it's the turn of the 23 candidates,

to make a first pass in evening dress.

Obviously, in the room, the parents of Sami are obsessed with their daughter.

With his cries, Kwan, the choreographer, hope to influence the jury.

A jury made up of professionals fashion and beauty.

in which we find an old acquaintance,

Doctor Thêp, the veteran change of s*** at low prices.

The surgeon is one evening sponsors.

The name of his clinic is even displayed above the heads of the presenters.

The show will last 1h30.

And the highlight of the show,

it's the parade in swimsuits.

The test that will decide The candidates.

As she learned in rehearsal,

Sami tears off her scarf and shows her best smile.

But his performance will be eclipsed by the next candidate, Miss Lebanon.

more energetic, more determined, sexier.

- My God !

She's perfect in a swimsuit!

She surprised everyone.

You saw what she did with her scarf?

Miss Lebanon is just perfect.

I think she's going to win!

Kwan is right to worry,

because if Sami was selected among the three finalists,

she is surrounded by the Nigerian

and the fearsome Lebanese.

- The Miss International Queen 2011 is...

Number five! Miss Thailand!

It has been four years since Thailand was waiting to win this election.

photographers and cameras rush to the New Star.

- I am very happy. It's the most beautiful day of my life.

I'm happy for the people of Thailand.

This evening, I represent all of Thailand.

I think people are happy proud of me and my victory.

Away, the parents of the new miss are moved

and do not dare to approach yet.

- This evening, it is a pride for my family.

I would like to tell the parents who have Katoey children,

please take care of them,

guide them on the right path.

You can take my Sami for example.

She behaves well she doesn't take d****

and don't do illegal things!

She is a good child for her parents.

We are proud of her!

For Sami, a new life is beginning.

She pockets the sum of $10,000,

the equivalent of three years average salary in Thailand.

But above all, she will realize her dreams,

go on television, cover magazines

and embody the image of the ideal woman.

The land of the Katoeys has finally found his new queen.