Kathoey Gender [repack] Jun 2026

Thai culture traditionally recognizes a spectrum of gender identities. The three main categories are: phuchai (men), phu-ying (women), and kathoey (a third gender). This tripartite division is reflective of a nuanced understanding of gender, one that accommodates a range of expressions beyond male and female. The Thai language, with its specific vocabulary for identifying individuals who do not conform to societal norms of masculinity and femininity, also plays a crucial role in embedding the concept of kathoey into everyday life.