Greetings from Bangkok, Thailand! I am here soaking up the local transgender / crossdressing culture.
As you might know, Thailand is considered the transgender capital of the world. The “third gender” is an accepted part of Thai society, making it a haven for transgender people. It’s been wonderfully refreshing to witness.
Here are a few highlights from my trip:
Thailand is a shopper’s paradise with bargains galore.
Shrine in front of a Bangkok shopping mall.
Let’s Talk Travel!
If you’re seeking your next fabulous en femme getaway, look no further than Thailand! But even if you stay closer to home, traveling is the perfect opportunity to unleash your feminine self away from the routine and expectations of home.
Here are 3 great benefits of traveling for crossdressers and transgender women:
1. Traveling gives you an opportunity to reinvent yourself
Nobody knows you and nobody will ever see you again, so you can literally be whoever you want to be.
2. Traveling is the ultimate rut buster
Does life feel like the same old, same old? Traveling exposes you to new experiences and gives you a fresh perspective on life. (And who can’t use that?)
3. Traveling teaches you to go with the flow
Most trips (like your own male to female journey) are full of unexpected surprises. Traveling teaches you to go with the flow – and enjoy the experience.
Do you travel en femme?
I’d love to hear about your en femme travel adventures (or travel dreams), so please share them with me in the comments section below!
Love,
Lucille
I love Thailand, having been there many times and made a few Kahtoi friends at the time. Of course living fulltime does have its advantages, and to be known as an American kahtoi is amazing. Sitting down, talking and giggling through all the questions they have is fun. However Thai males can be a little challenge if you don’t speak Thai, but it also protects you as well.
Hope you had a wonderful trip Lucille. The next time I go to Thailand I would like to go with someone who has also been there.
Hi Lucille
Inspired by your story I did some research and decided that I would commit to a Thailand Holiday and that I would spend my entire time living, breathing and doing as the female I feel I am. I had the most wonderful time and the experience has boosted my confidence to be me. So how did I pull this off …
Preplanning
While doing my research I decided that Pattaya would be the perfect location. As you mentioned Thailand is considered the transgender capital of the world, outside of Bangkok, Pattaya is recognised as Thailand’s gay playground and Kathoeies (a Thai term that refers to either a transgender woman or an effeminate gay male in Thailand) abound. I looked at Gay Friendly places – Why gay friendly? In my outings dressed feminie I have discovered that Gay Bars and the people are friendly and more accepting.
I researched, researched and researched and settled on a small but boutique Gay Friendly accommodation. Making contact by email I enquire if the premises would be accepting of a Transgender person who holidays feminie. I had a most positive reply back in less than 24 hours and decided that I was on the right path. Checking airlines flight times, I found I was to land at Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok) Airport late in the evening. I had previously decided that I would travel in male attire.
Why male attire – because I felt I would be just asking for trouble attempting to fly in my favourite dress.
I had already enquired and found that the Pattaya accommodation would, for a reasonable price, have a car collect me from the Airport or accommodation near the Airport. So I decided that as I was to arrive late I would stay at a hotel close to the Airport and use opportunity to change from my male self to my true female self. I booked a room at a small hotel that was located within 10 to 15 minute drive. With everything falling into place I booked my airfares (and bought a new dress or two).
International Travel
With my suitcase packed with nothing but my dresses, high heels, bras, panties, jewellery, two wigs and make-up I nervously arrived at the airport. After checking in my suitcase I became worried there might be a check as the Airline Ticket was issued to male while the suitcase was clearly female. Perhaps this is why I got pulled aside and checked – Airport Security are trained to spot the nervous ones! I pass through the security checks and soon I was on my way to my dream holiday.
I relaxed on the flight across, collected my suitcase and negotiated (got ripped off by) a taxi driver at the Airport to take me to my accommodation.
First Night/Morning
As my arrival was in male mode as expected there was no issues. I had arranged for my pick-up to occur at 9:00am in the morning, so I had a shower and changed into my nightie and went to bed. I had the previous evening set my mobile to Thai time and my alarm went off at 6:00am. I had shower shaved my legs and critically checked my arms, chest, shoulders and stomach for hair. I had the morning of my leaving arranged for these body parts along with my back ears and nose (hair) to be professionally waxed away. I shaved my face until I was happy with the smoothness.
I like, no make that, I love mini dresses and had decided that I would wear a pretty dress on my trip that include a black lace top. I put on my panties and bra and commenced putting on my make-up starting with foundation and false eyelashes. I took my time and made sure I looked as good as could. At 8:00am I was as ready as I would be. Again the doubts started – how do I look, how will I be treated, should just undress go back to male mode and forget my adventure.
I fought back my fears and left my room and went down for breakfast – people did look my way. There were curious glances but no laughter, no derision, a good start. The head waiter greeted me with “Breakfast Madam”? Relief. I respond with a “Yes please” and finished with the word Kha. There was immediate pleasure on his face. From research I learnt Kha is one of the Thai words used by females including Kathoey. I had breakfast and informed the receptionist that I would be checking out as I was expecting for my ride to arrive about 9:00am. Again a positive reinforcing response, “Yes Madam. And I’ll have your bags bought down for you.”
An up market car arrived just before 9, the driver (Max) walked into the reception, looked around, spotted me and asked “Emily? Emily Wells?” I nodded and he picked up my bags placed them in the boot opened the backdoor and said “Madam, we will arrive in Pattaya about 11:30am.”
I enjoyed the ride and my holiday had commenced.
Staying in Pattaya
At the Pattaya accommodation I was greeted politely and the word Madam was used often. The receptionist asked for my travel documents and read to me my boy name. I responded politely acknowledging the name and finished with “… but please call me Emily Kha”. Delight lit her face and after that I was always addressed as Emily by the all staff. I won’t go into all the details about my stay at the accommodation other than to say I made some great friends and had a wonderful stay.
My confidence expanded I went out at night with friends, went shopping and visited the tourist areas. Always I was treated with respect, called madam and the Thais people made me feel more than welcome. During my eight days I had only one negative experience, I was at a shopping centre and I heard the derisive comments – I knew that Australian accent well – yes they even take their narrow-mindedness on holidays with them!
The Differences
I was always addressed as “Madam”. At home I sometimes get Miss or Madam but most people choke for a word or even say something like Marmser.
In the boutique dress shops, including the global brand names, I was always encouraged to try on any dresses I was interested in and shown the female change room. Just last week-end at home here in Australia while shopping dressed feminie and looking at a dress, obviously interested. I was informed by the Shop Assistant that if I tried the dress on at home and it didn’t fit I could bring it back and exchange for another dress. Well at least I wasn’t asked to leave!
I often read about which toilet (rest room) to use or can be used. This is always a dilemma for me when out and about dressed feminie so I often opt for the disabled persons toilet as this for all genders. On my second day in Thailand while at a large modern shopping centre I need to go and happily spotted the disabled toilet and so went to enter. A female worker stopped me and said “No, this toilet Madam” and pointed to the female toilets, I responded with “Khob Khun Kha”. When out in Thailand if I asked were the rest room was I was always directed to the females toilet.
Unlike Thailand, in Australia we have legislation to protect Transgender. Excluding the one instance I spoke of before, in Thailand I was treated with respect and courtesy – a very different perspective.
Hints for a better trip
Thais do not have time for people losing their temper and just like I was treated with respect and courtesy I returned the favour. Also I was careful with the places I visited. A Buddhist Temple visit requires modesty – a mini dress and high heels dosen’t meet that criteria!
I wore 4 or 5 inch high heels all the time – I always wear high heels – I own no flats. Some days after a lot of walking my feet were killing me. So if you do not wear high heels all the time a pair of flats will come in handy.
Wigs. I purchase good quality human hair wigs. I am hard on wigs. Thailand’s climate is harder on wigs – I should have taken three wigs.
If you going to be feminie the whole time plan your renewal – nothing worse than a 5 o’clock shadow.
Excluding my legs because I love the silky feel of freshly shaved legs, I wax all over – often, plan to have a professional whole body wax before leaving. Nothing worse than hairy arms or legs being presented in a pretty mini dress or a hairy chest or back when you are wearing those cute bikinis.
Learn some simple phrases and in particular the female words. I discovered that Thais respond more fondly when you use their words – even when I got them badly wrong.
Lastly research, research and plan, plan, plan.
If you have questions or want to know more ask a question and I will answer – no problems.
Hugs & Kisses
Emily
Could you help me out with the hotel names? Im pllanning a trip there during the holidays, I’m not sure how far I would go out but a friendly hotel would be a good start. Any other advice would be most welcome.
Cheers
I would love to have a holiday in Thailand and live it dressed up 24/7.
I would feel so excited and happy
I just looking for a place where they can teach me how to be and how to wear femme clothes, in short this will be my first time out of my house. I’m planning my Thai travelon next Jun. All in my mind is… “finally I will feel free”
I just love to wear women’s clothing. I love going out wearing a sexy bra and panties and wearing sexy panty hose. It feels so good lisa
i just love to wears women clothes its feel right and im happy also
Hi my name is Candy im a 27 year old TV and im planning a trip to Thailand Pattaya specifically. Anyways i would love to have some friends with me as i have never been here before. Obviously except for the flight there i plan on being enfemme the whole time. It would be great if you’ve been there before. email me madthc604@yahoo.com
I wanted to share my story somewhere because I’m going crazy.
I’m a closet-trans. Fortunately I was born with androginous ish looks, so I look very femenine naturally, nearly no body hair, femenine facial features, no visible adam apple, etc. I’m tall, slender, when I do my makeup and put on my girl clothes I look stunning. My wife says I do look like a supermodel.
Thing is, I have a very good job, and I come from a super close minded family, very large family also. My wife is the only one who knows my secret and she is sort of ok with it. Like, she’s going through a period of readjustment but she supports me, buys me stuff, makeup, clothes, etc.
When I am at home, I am in paradise, but unfortunately I cannot ever leave the house.
Going full time would mean i’d lose my job, never see my fam again. I’d probably have to move very far cos everyone knows me here.
I am an athlete and perform very well at my sport. And I dream to do it as a woman. It would be so liberating.
Anyway. I really admire those of you who are able to go full time. It’s an impossible dream to me x
I’m hoping that I could go on a trip with her and have some girly time together away from everyone we know. That will be both exiting and liberating at the same time.