Generally, ladyboys have characteristic physical qualities of men. You can spot them by listening to their voice, looking at their Adam’s apple, and noticing the size of their joints and limbs. Asking another ladyboy is also a wise option. But leave asking the person herself as your last resort.

Once you know the gender orientation of the person, it’s up to you what you want to do next. If you’re interested in dating a ladyboy, you can do that. But there are particulars that you might want to know first. Read on to explore the depth of meeting ladyboys in Thailand.

What exactly is a kathoey?

If you have visited Thailand, you must have heard of “Kathoey” at least once. The term is widely used in LGBTQ discourses. And you should get familiar with this particular word before diving further into Thai LGBTQ society.

“กะเทย” or “kathoey” is a Thai word commonly used to describe a male-born person who behaves in the manners of a woman, disregarding whether they went through gender-affirming surgery or not. They usually have a sexual interest in men, gay men, and other LGBTQs.

The word “kathoey” originally had a negative connotation. In the early days of the ladyboys wave, the term was usually used as an insult. It expressed a similar discriminating attitude to the word “negro” to black people in 1600-1800.

However, the term “kathoey” has somewhat evolved into a parody of itself. Many Thai LGBTQ influencers have comically repeated this term so many times that the negativity gradually subsided. Of course, this is unintentional. But the result helps Thai people embrace kathoeys more easily.

Nevertheless, many kathoeys still don’t like to be called “kathoey.” So, for a foreigner, you can use the word “ladyboys” just to be on the safe side.

Note that, in Thailand, Kathoey and Gay men are not exactly the same. While they both have interests in men, kathoey’s behaviors are feminine, while Gay men are still masculine.

Most kathoeys realize their gender orientation from a young age. Some have started feminine behavior since the early days of elementary school. However, this realization doesn’t come from societal pressure or any kind of illness. It is just their nature.

How to tell a ladyboy in Thailand

Thai ladyboys’ gorgeousness can rival those of female supermodels. Telling them apart from straight women can get complicated. And, of course, you don’t want to find out the fact afterward.

So, here are 5 tricks to recognize a ladyboy and distinguish her from a straight woman.

1. Listen to her voice

If there is one thing you cannot hide by any means, it’s voice. All ladyboys acknowledge this fact and try to imitate women’s voices the best they can. Nevertheless, you can still notice the difference.

Generally, men’s voices have a lower pitch and a heavier bass than women’s. It is almost impossible to hide this characteristic tone without a voice changer. 

However, some ladyboys excel at altering their voices. They can squeeze their vocal cord and articulate women-like sounds naturally. Not to mention the magic of voice-feminization surgery. This medical procedure can magically transform one’s voice, making it harder to tell one’s sex. 

Want to know how magical it is? Listen to the following example from Yanhee hospital.

2. Look at her adam’s apple

Most ladyboys understand that they can’t hide their voice. That’s why if they choose to hide their gender orientation, they might avoid speaking to you completely.

However, you can still look at another obvious tell of all males: Adam’s apple.

Just look at their neck (but please don’t stare) and see if there’s a protruding bone that moves when they swallow or not. Most of the time, you can see this body part effortlessly.

Of course, it becomes tricky when you consider the existence of cosmetic surgery. There’s a way for a ladyboy to “erase” their Adam’s Apple. It’s called Tracheal shave. And to unsuspecting eyes, it looks just like those of women.

3. Noticing her stature, bones, and limbs size

This is probably the least surefire way, but it’s still worth mentioning. You can distinguish ladyboys from women by looking at their overall size.

Due to natural physiques, men usually have larger skeletons than women. This means you can look at many points in a person’s body to get a glimpse of their actual sex. For example, statures like height and width, joint size like wrists and shoulders, and limb sizes like hands and legs.

Remember that some ladyboys were born small, and some even had cosmetic surgery to change their physiques. As a result, this trick might give false feedback. So, you should notice other points together with this one as well.

4. Ask a ladyboy friend

Now. This might sound like cheating, but it’s better than wild guessing.

There’s a saying in Thai that goes “ผีเห็นผี” (Pee Hen Pee), and it translates to “ghosts see ghosts.” It means that those of similar personalities see through each other. And by that logic, a ladyboy should be able to read another ladyboy like a book.

Of course, this trick doesn’t work 100%. Some ladyboys go further and beyond, deceiving even the eyes of their friends. However, such a case is quite rare. You can still trust your ladyboy friends.

So next time you go out to a bar in Thailand, bring ladyboy friends with you. You might need their extra help.

5. Ask the person herself

When all has failed, and you feel desperate, you have to throw the towels and step up to ask the person herself. But please keep this as a last resort.

Most ladyboys are okay with you asking, “excuse me, but are you a lady or a ladyboy.” At first, they might laugh at you. They might mess around with you a bit, but mostly, they will tell you straight in the end.

Some of them might even enjoy the fact that you ask. It means their beauty is enough to confuse you. They take that as flattery.

But remember that some people don’t like to be asked this way. And if the person you ask turns out to be a straight woman, you might have to face the consequences. Verbal abuse is quite common. Water to the face is a little extreme but also exists. So, brace yourself.

How to start dating ladyboys in Thailand

As of 2019, there were around 3.6 million LGBTQ in Thailand (roughly 5% of the population). And many among this number were kathoey. But despite such a massive number, Thailand’s acceptance of LGBTQ is only at a cultural level. People of the same sex still cannot legally marry like other men and women.

Even so, you can still date ladyboys in Thailand. And if you want to go down that route, there are easier ways to get close to them.

1. Understand that you are dating a normal person

This fact might be obvious, but some people tend to forget it. “Dating a ladyboy is no different than dating anyone else.” The core of the relationship still relies on love.

You must love them for who they are and don’t expect them to be something else.

Whether a man, woman, or LGBTQ, you can date a ladyboy. But don’t forget that they are people just like you. They have their own likes and dislikes. If you are not their type, then that’s it.

Don’t try to date a ladyboy if all you have in mind is to “try weird stuff.” That won’t help anyone in the long run. Of course, if you have a mutual agreement with her, that’s another story. But if you really want your relationship to grow, love and understanding are vital.

2. Use dating apps

Nowadays, the fastest way to reach new people with a romantic interest in mind is via dating apps.

Some big names like Tinder, Coffee Meets Bagels, and Bristlr can get you quite far in Thailand. However, some dating apps are designed to help date LGBTQs and ladyboys.

Blued: Originally a men-men dating app in China. This application comes with a detailed filter, allowing you to seek out and connect with any ladyboys of your taste in minutes.

Jack’d: Despite having fewer features and functions, this application manages to gain popularity among Thai LGBTQ men. You can squeeze yourself into the community easier with Jack’d.

Azar: A worldwide hit dating app. The most striking feature of Azar is the ability to make a video call on top of an automatic translation chat. You can break the language barrier and connect with your sweetheart ladyboy effortlessly. (Source)

3. Go to party venues

Even though thousands of ladyboys are living in your Thai neighborhood, none of them are going to come knocking at your door. You need to go out and meet them. Where should you go? A party venue, of course.

These party venues could be a bar, a pub, a club, or a public event. And you can find tons of those in Thailand, especially in Bangkok and other major cities.

Regardless of gender, everyone loves parties. And at every party, you are bound to see groups of ladyboys. Then, you can make a decision whether to make a move or just to have fun with friends.

▸ Want to learn more about dating in Thailand? Check out our articles on: “Dating Thai Men: 5 Characteristics You’ll Fall in Love With” and “How to Date a Thai Girlfriend for 7 Days“

Best places to meet ladyboys in Bangkok

As mentioned, there are so many ladyboys in Thailand that you can’t miss them. However, if you want a location to specifically meet them (in Bangkok), you should try these places out.

1. DJ Station

This place is arguably the most famous gay bar in Thailand (as of 2022). It is located at Silom Soi 2 and opens every day from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

You can let loose on the dance floor for hours and enjoy a lip-singing show every night. If ladyboys and fun are what you seek, you cannot skip DJ Station.

2. The Stranger Bar

Are you looking for a fancy ladyboys show? Then, The Stranger Bar is the place for you. This is another place that is located at Silom Soi 4. You can walk in from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

The biggest highlight of this bar is the gorgeous Drag Show that occurs every night at 10.30 p.m. The quality of the show is guaranteed. Why? Because the place owner is the winner of Drag Race Thailand Season 2, M Stranger Fox herself. (Source)

3. Bangkok’s Red Light Districts

If you only want to sip cool drinks and fool around with ladyboys, there are lots of bars in Bangkok you can go to. Many of these bars are located in and around Nana Plaza or Soi Cowboy. For example, Obsession, Cockatoo, and more.

Each bar has its vibes and services, so choose the one that resonates the most. And don’t forget to check their opening time. While many open in the early evening, quite a few open late at night.

The core of meeting a Thai ladyboy

Regardless of what your intention is when interacting with Thai ladyboys, treat them how you do to ladies. No matter how you look at it, they are people just like you.

Treating them like other ladies is especially crucial when you know their sexual orientation. Discrimination never ends well for anyone.

And if you want to push your relationship with a ladyboy to the next step, let your heart guide you. Don’t allow traditions or others’ opinions to stop you. After all, love is one of the most beautiful things in the world.

Like always, if you want to discover more about Thailand, stay guided with ThaiGuider. You might learn something you never knew about this unique country.

The post What Is a Ladyboy in Thailand? (And How to Tell if They Are) appeared first on ThaiGuider.

Ladyboys are common in Thailand because their society is open to gender fluidity. The main reasons that support this openness are Thai attitude, Thai Buddhism, Thai media, Thai beauty Contests, and Thai cosmetic surgeries. All five reasons work together and push Thailand to be even more welcoming toward LGBTQIA2S+.

But of course, there is more depth to the story. The members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community in Thailand also struggle with their daily lives. Read on to get a bird’s eye view of the ladyboys’ situation in Thailand.

***For the sake of convenience, this article will refer to LGBTQIA2S+ as LGBT.***

5 Cultural reasons why Thailand has so many ladyboys

Ladyboys are everywhere. They are not just a group of people in Thailand but are also present in your neighborhood. The thing is, they might not be expressing themselves to the fullest.

There is no definitive answer to why the ladyboy culture in Thailand blooms more than in the neighboring nations or even most countries. But the general reason is that Thailand is more open to gender fluidity.

To a certain degree, Thai people just accept ladyboys as who they are. Most Thai understand that ladyboys don’t become ladyboys because they choose to be; they become ladyboys because that is how they function. It’s like having 10 fingers. You don’t decide to have 10 fingers — you just have.

However, this kind of acceptance doesn’t come naturally. Thai people took time and effort to suppress the discrimination too. They just did it efficiently. 5 factors make Thailand embrace ladyboys, gender fluidity, and LGBT better than many other countries.

1. Thai Attitude

As you probably know, Thai people love to conform to groups and communities. But while conformity dictates many parts of their behavior, they are also paradoxically easygoing.

This means while Thai people are quick to call out anything out of the ordinary, they are even quicker to forgive and let things go. 

The most obvious example is the red light crossing. There could be as many as 122,000 cases of red light violation a month. And that is in Bangkok alone. (Source)

Of course, the violators were punished, but the punishment was insignificant. They will just live on and commit it again. That’s why Thai people ignore red lights like it’s normal.

So when it comes to ladyboy culture, Thai people figuratively see it as yet another red light crossing. At first, they see men acting like women as traditionally unbecoming. But the more they see it, the more ladyboys become “normal.”

Unlike red light violation, being a ladyboy is not a crime. It doesn’t hurt anyone. So, Thai people have an easier time accepting it.

Another Thai characteristic that helps people accept the ladyboys culture is humor. Most ladyboys play clowns in a group, lighting up the mood and atmosphere. And Thai people love that. As a result, ladyboys are usually beloved in groups of friends.

2. Thai Buddhism

When you hear an argument against LGBT, you often hear about religions as part of the reasons. Of course, this happens in Thailand too. However, it is not as harsh and brutal as in other Christian or Muslim countries.

One thing to note is that Buddhism has sects and other variations. This means that the practice and ritual differ depending on the region. For example, Shaolin monks have a more aggressive and violent image than monks from Tibet. This concept of differences is similar to Catholicism and Protestantism in Christianity.

In Thailand, the locals practice a variation of Theravada Buddhism (which is considered “less strict”).

Some Thai people believe that being LGBT is a form of punishment. They argue being neither male nor female was caused by your sin of sexual immorality in a previous life. (Source)

Of course, this is impossible to prove. 

But regardless of the legitimacy of their claim, the state of being an LGBT is not a sin itself. So, it is awkward to use Thai Buddhism to argue against ladyboys. And if you did, you would probably rouse more sympathy rather than hatred. Repenting for the sins of the unknown previous life would sound unfair to most people.

3. Thai Media

In the modern world, the media holds virtually limitless power.

And with such power to influence people, Thai media plays a significant role in setting up the stage for ladyboys to shine.

The first appearance of Thai ladyboys in the media is difficult to pinpoint. However, it might go back further in time than you think. In 1954, there was already an indie silent black & white film about “Katoey,” or ladyboy, in Thailand. This film was called “กะเทยเป็นเหตุ” (Katoey Pen Hade) or “It’s All Because of Katoey.” (Source)

This film depicts the unrealistic relationship between straight men and a beautiful ladyboy. Since Thai people love humor, the film has a comedy vibe in its storytelling. (Source)

But this comedic aspect also shows that Thai people of the time see ladyboys as a laughing stock.

But as time passed, ladyboys gained more presence in the entertainment media. Most of them started off with a focus on comedy. However, many also succeed in healthcare, fashion, and other lifestyle TV programs.

Seeing ladyboys appear in the media every day eventually becomes normal to Thai people. And their attitude starts to change. Ladyboys are no longer just a laughing stock but talents rivaling those of straight men and women.

4. Thai Beauty Contests

On a worldwide scale, you might have heard of Miss International Queen. It is arguably the biggest pageant for trans women in the world.

In Thailand, these kinds of pageants exist as well. And they offer a variety of contests for the audience to attend and enjoy.

Mr. Gay World Thailand

As the name suggests, this is a contest for gay men to flex their appearance supremacy in fancy costumes. But that’s not the only thing they do. 

All participants must undergo trials like written tests, interviews, societal campaign proposals, and more. These processes guarantee that the winner is not only a looker but also a kind-hearted person ready to change society for the better. (Source)

Miss Tiffany Universe

You will hear of this contest if you are interested in Thai ladyboy culture. Why? Because this is the stage where the most gorgeous trans women in Thailand gather together. 

The winner of this event will continue to compete in the Miss International Queen. (Source)

Miss ACDC

You might wonder what a legendary rock star has to do LGBT beauty contest. No, ACDC here is not a rock band. It stands for “Alternative Creature’s Devoted Creation.” (Source)

This contest’s highlight is not the beautiful faces of the participants. It’s the creativity and humor of how they present themselves. The audience of Miss ACDC is bound to laugh every minute. You can almost think of it as a parody contest.

These contests are another factor that encourages all the LGBT in Thailand to express themselves. They also help Thai people accept the concept of gender fluidity faster.

▸ Want to learn more about Thai Beauty Contests? Check out our articles on “Miss Thailand” and “Miss Universe Thailand

5. Thai Gender-Affirming Surgery

Thailand used to be a world-class destination for those seeking ladyboy surgery. (Source) From genital removal to breast transplant and augmentation. Thailand has almost everything a ladyboy would need.

Since there is no official survey, it is impossible to name the number of cosmetic surgery clinics and hospitals that perform gender-affirming surgery in Thailand. But it is safe to say that it reaches hundreds or even thousands.

The most famous name among these hospitals is Yanhee. They position themselves as a “beauty hospital,” focusing their technology on cosmetic surgery and other beauty-related treatment. (Source)

If you asked a ladyboy where to get Gender-Affirming surgery, about half would say, “Yanhee.”

Of course, this type of surgery only saw a boom because of the high number of ladyboys in Thailand. They wouldn’t be this popular otherwise. On the other hand, these medical procedures also encourage the LGBTs to express themselves further. It’s a loop that makes Thailand more accepting of gender fluidity.

How are ladyboys viewed in Thailand?

The position of ladyboys in Thailand is quite complex. On the surface, the locals accept them as an integral part of society. But if you dig deeper, you will find that such a thing as 100% acceptance doesn’t exist.

Many parents are still skeptical about seeing their sons behaving like a girl. And that is understandable. After all, Thailand had been a patriarchal society for a good chunk of history. Many old-school parents still hold on to that image of a “masculine leader.”

With such conservative parents, the ladyboy-to-be children and teens will hide their gender orientation away from their families. But that doesn’t mean they don’t show their tendencies at all. They usually express themselves openly at schools where friends and teachers are more understanding and accepting.

In a sense, these kids are living a double life. They behave like women during the day at school and act like men at home during the nighttime.

Of course, it is only a matter of time before their parents find out. And once they do, it usually ends in a big argument. However, the parents usually can’t do anything. All they could do was express their disappointment or frustration.

Even though they don’t condone LGBT, they understand that this is a new age. Things are not the same anymore.

Some parents escalate the matter by declaring they wouldn’t financially support their child anymore. Some even send their child to a psychiatrist. But in the end, most of these parents have to accept the reality one way or another.

In the working adult world, ladyboys are culturally accepted, especially in the creative, art, and fashion field. However, this acceptance isn’t 100%. Many LGBT people find building trust in the workplace difficult, notably in the education field, where most personnel are somewhat conservative. (Source)

Interesting facts about Thai ladyboy culture

LGBT marriage is impossible in Thailand

Culturally, Thailand is open toward LGBT, ladyboys, and gender fluidity. On the legal front, however, it’s a different story.

As of 2019, there were around 3.6 million Thai LGBT (around 5% of the population). (Source)

But despite such a number, Thailand’s government still hasn’t legalized marriage between two people of the same sex.

As a result, most LGBT couples just live together. They aren’t recognized as a married couple by law and don’t receive the benefits the married do.

Ladyboys are unacceptable in the southern border provinces of Thailand

As mentioned, Buddhism plays a crucial role in Thai people’s attitude towards ladyboys. However, the people in Thailand’s southern border provinces are mostly Muslims. As a result, you don’t see many ladyboys in that region.

As you may or may not know, Muslims are serious about gender orientation. So, people there might react negatively to ladyboys and other LGBTs.

However, this negativity doesn’t stop some LGBTs from coming out. They chose to be branded as a sinner to express who they are. (Source)

Ladyboy culture and Thai culture

It is unclear why Thailand has so many ladyboys. But the factor you cannot overlook is the Thai Culture itself. Without the flexible attitude and lax Buddhism of Thai people, it is hard to imagine a boom of ladyboys and LGBT in this country.

Of course, the media, the contests, and the surgery also play a crucial part in this. But these three factors came after ladyboys became influential in Thailand. They are additional factors that encourage the locals to express themselves further.

As of 2022, ladyboys and LGBT are still not 100% accepted in Thailand. But if the current trend continues, you might see a day when Thailand is fully open to gender fluidity — culturally and legally.

Like always, if you want to discover more about Thailand, stay guided with ThaiGuider. You might learn something you never knew about this unique country.

The post Why Are There So Many Ladyboys in Thailand? (5 Reasons) appeared first on ThaiGuider.

Many of them are also actors. If you would like to know more about the models in Thailand, scroll down to dive deeper into the glitz and glamor of Thailand’s model industry.

How Tall Are Thai Models?

Like in other countries, most Thai top models are tall and lean. Therefore, it is safe to say that one needs to be taller than average and have a thin figure to become a model in Thailand. As you will see in the list below, most female Thai models are at least 160 cm tall, while male models are around 178-180 cm on average. It has been said that to become a female runway model in Thailand, one needs to be at least 170 cm tall (1).

For commercial models, Thai female models can be a bit shorter than 170 cm and down to 160 cm, dependent on the body type and nature of the commercials (1). However, it would be safe to say that it is most suitable if a female is between 168-175 cm tall to become a model in Thailand (1).

For males, one needs to be at least 175 cm to become a model in Thailand, as most model contests (such as The Face Men Thailand) require their contestants to be 175 cm and above to participate in the competition (2). Some agencies might need their models to be taller, starting from 184 cm for male commercial models and 187 cm for male runway models (3).

More often than not, famous Thai supermodels and beauty queens tend to be mixed races and Eurasians, making them taller and more ‘exotic looking’ than an average Thai person. 

Different Types of Models in Thailand

There are also different types of Thai models. Aside from typical models in the entertainment industry who appear in commercial campaigns, advertisements, TV dramas, and movies, there are also sexy Thai models known as “pretties.” 

What are Pretties in Thailand?

Unlike regular models, “pretties” are more similar to the “booth babes” in the US (4). These hot Thai models are typically hired to promote the businesses at the trade shows and often dress in sexy, tight-fitting dresses to attract people’s attention. They also got hired as Emcees and can be seen in the promotional activities held at the markets, malls, and events (4). These “pretties” are famous on Instagram and are also known as sexy Thailand models. 

En-Models:

Another type of model in Thailand would be the “En” model, which stands for entertainment. Such gigs hire these EN models to entertain the customers solely – be it at an event, a private party, or even at someone’s house.

En models are also hired to hang out with their clients, like drinking or eating with them and having conversations. But most normal EN models’ job ends here with no expectation for sex (4). Different types of Thai En models exist, and each is slightly different from the other.

Below are the different types of En models and a brief explanation of each type:

En-Bikini:

Just as the name suggested, En-bikinis are required to wear bikinis the entire time during their gigs. They are typically hired for events with a pool or events held on the beach. They usually got paid around 2,500 THB to 10,000 THB per gig (4).

En-Up:

The ‘Up’ from this name comes from the word ‘up yaa’, which means getting high on party drugs. En-Up models are expected to take drugs like ecstasy or ketamine and party hard. They are usually paid anywhere from 3,000 THB to 10,000 THB (4).

En-Rang:

En-Rang models are hired for gigs that involve a lot of touching from the clients, as the word ‘Rang’ basically means ‘hardcore.’’ Even with all the touching, these gigs do not include any kind of intercourse, and En-Rang models are paid around 5,000 THB to 10,000 THB per job (4).

En-VIP:

En-VIP gigs are the most expensive, and the models hired for such gigs are expected to go all the way with the clients they are hired to entertain. The rates for these gigs vary according to the pretty’s profile. Pretty with any celebrity credentials can set their rates very high, starting anywhere from 7,000 THB to even up to 100,000 THB, depending on their credentials and popularity (4).

Supermodels in Thailand:

These models are the ones that you will see in commercials and advertisements of famous brands and even on the runways of highly prestigious fashion shows. Many well-known celebrities in Thailand started their careers as models and then made their debuts in movies, dramas, and some are even active as singers. As you would expect for the crème de la crème, these top stars get paid very highly and have a large fanbase.

Who Are The Top Thai Models & Supermodels?

To learn more about some of the most handsome and sexiest Thailand models, here is a compilation of 16 hot Thailand models based on their popularity, success, and beauty. 

(Disclaimer: The following list is ranked based on the number of followers each have on their Instagram accounts)

16. Sara Malakul Lane

Full Name: Sara Malakul Lane Groove

Known as: Sara

Career: Model/Actress

Born: February 1, 1983

Height: 172 cm

Weight: 57 kg 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saramalakul/ (1.2M Followers)

With her dark brown eyes and voluptuous body, Sara Malakul Lane (or Sara) is one of the original, sexy Thai models. Born to an English father and a Thai mother, Sara is directly related to King Rama II on her mom’s side (5). Sara first started modeling and acting for commercials when she was 12 (5).

By the age of 15, Sara first started acting by appearing in TV series (6). Since then, she has appeared in various Thai soap operas before moving to the US and got cast for Hollywood productions.

15. Mookda Narinrak

Full Name: Mookda Narinrak

Known as: Mook

Career: Model/Actress/Dancer

Born: July 26, 1996

Height: 165 cm

Weight: 45 kg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/narinnarinrak/ (1.2M Followers)

Mookda Narinrak (better known as Mook) started her modeling career when she won the title of Miss Teen Thailand in 2011 (7). After winning the title, Mook appeared in several fashion shows and magazines and gained many fans (8). Mook is also known as a dancer because she has entered and won numerous dancing competitions, such as the famous ‘To Be Number One Idol’ in 2012 (7).

Many admire her lean and elegant dancer body, making her one of the most well-known Thai supermodels. Mook was chosen as the model for the Japanese magazine “Ray” from 2013 to 2014. She was also a professional runway model for two years in Bangkok and Tokyo (9).

Mook was signed by Thai Channel 7 in 2016 as an actress and started her acting career. She has appeared in many commercial campaigns and advertisements for famous brands (8), including Lazada Thailand and Birdy Coffee.

14. Amanda Obdam

Full Name: Amanda Chalisa Obdam

Known as: Amanda Obdam

Career: Model/Miss Universe Thailand 2020

Born: June 17, 1993

Height: 170 cm 

Weight: 55 kg 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanda.obdam/ (1.4M Followers)

Born on the idyllic Phuket Island, Amanda is a Thai-Canadian beauty queen, raised by her Dutch-Canadian father and Thai-Chinese mother (10). Amanda started competing in beauty pageant competitions aged 10 when she was chosen as the “Miss Noppamas” in Phuket (11).

Since then, she has joined many beauty contests, including Miss Thailand World 2015, Miss Grand Phuket 2016, and Miss Grand Thailand 2016 (10). In 2020, Amanda won the crown for Miss Universe Thailand and reached the Top 10 during the Miss Universe competition held in Florida (12). Aside from being a beauty queen and a model, Amanda is also a certified diver, as she has earned her open water Scuba diving certification in 2006 (11).

Amanda is very vocal about her opinions; she is a strong advocator for mental health and was officially chosen as the nation’s mental health ambassador, after winning the Miss Universe Thailand title (11). However, she was fired from that position after tweeting her disapproval of the way Thai police handled the protests in Bangkok (13).

13. Nadech Kugimiya

Full Name: Chonlathit Yodprathum

Known as: Nadech

Career: Model/Actor

Born: December 17, 1991

Height: 180 cm 

Weight: 75 kg 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kugimiyas/  (1.6M Followers)

Nadech is a Thai-Australian actor and model who is known for his roles in dramas Game Rai Game Rak (2011) and The Rising Sun Series (2014) (14). He started his modeling career when he was 17 years old and then expanded his career as an actor in 2010 (15).

Currently, he is one of the highest-paid celebrities in Thailand and has endorsed numerous well-known brands, such as Air Asia, OPPO, 7-Eleven, and many others (15). Nadech is also recognized for his acting and has won over 130 awards – including the best actor award from the Suphannahong National Film Awards, Nataraja Awards, Mekhala Awards, and TV Gold Awards (14).

Nadech is in a relationship with Urassaya Sperbund, one of the most famous Thai supermodels and actresses (included in this list.)

12. Khemanit Jamikorn (Pancake)

Full Name: Chayanit Jamikorn

Known as: Pancake, Khemnit Jamikorn

Career: Model/Actress/Singer

Born: May 27, 1988

Height: 174 cm 

Weight: Unknown

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khemanito/ (2.7M Followers)

Better known by her nickname ‘Pancake,’ Khemanit Jamikorn is one of Thailand’s well-known models and actresses. Pancake started her career in the Thai entertainment industry after winning the Thai Supermodel Contest: 2004 edition.

Later that year, she won the Model of the World 2004 in China (16). When she was just seventeen years old, Pancake began her acting career in the Thai lakorn industry (17). She secured the position as one of the popular teen models and actresses by signing with the popular Channel 7 for ten years.

Since then, Pancake has appeared in several Thai soap operas and TV commercials. She has also received many awards throughout her career – including the Hua Ding Asian Artist Popularity Award held in 2012 in Beijing, as well as the title of Favorite Female Artist of the Greater China Region (16).

As for her relationship status, Pancake is currently dating her long-term boyfriend, Lt. Col. Saksunthorn Premanon, and is said to be preparing to get married soon (18).

11. Tay Tawan Vihokratana

Full Name: Tawan Vihokratana

Known as: Tay Tawan

Career: Model/Actor/Show Host

Born: July 20, 1991

Height: 177 cm 

Weight: 63 kg 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tawan_v/ (4.5M Followers)

Nicknamed ‘Tay,’ Tawan Vihokratana is well-known locally and internationally, especially among young fans. Tay started his debut in the entertainment industry as one of the hosts for the 2014 program ‘Five Live Fresh,’ alongside New Thitipoom, Off Jumpol, Gun Korawit, Pariyawit Suwittayawat, and Chayapol Bunnag (19).

He then made his debut as an actor in the series Room Alone: The Series, and became widely famous after being chosen in the list of CLEO Thailand’s 50 Most Eligible Bachelors of 2014 (20). Since then, he has been signed under GMM as one of their artists (20).

Tay has also been chosen as the cover model for numerous magazines and has released some songs. Tay loves traveling and has his own traveling program named ‘Traveling fest with Tay Tawan’ (19). He also loves photography and played drums during his university days.

Apart from being an actor and a model, Tay is a co-owner of a clothing and accessory brand named ‘No.Grass.Type’, a Japanese food delivery business called ‘Salmon-San,’ and a spa named ‘Bamboo Secrets’ (20).

10. Nittha Jirayungyurn (Mew)

Full Name: Nittha Jirayungyurn

Known as: Mew

Career: Model/Actress

Born: September 21, 1990

Height: 160 cm

Weight: 43 kg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mewnittha/ (4.5M Followers)

Mew is another actress on this list who is signed under Channel 3 Thailand (21). Mew first made her debut in 2013, as ‘Than Ying Wanrasa’ or ‘Ying Taew’ in the drama Khun Chai Pawornruj, and was paired with Tanawat Wattanaputi (22).

Before joining the entertainment industry, Mew attended the Srinakharinwirot University, where she graduated with a major in Fashion Design (21). As a model, Mew has appeared in many commercials, such as the AIS telecom, Huawei, and Cute Press (22). In 2016, Mew acted in her first movie called ‘One Day,’ where she was paired with Chantavit Dhanasevi (21). Mew recently gave birth to a baby girl in 2021, after getting married to her boyfriend in 2019. 

9. Chalida Wijitvongtong (Mint)

Full Name: Chalida Vijitvongtong

Known as: Mint

Career: Model/Actress

Born: August 8, 1993

Height: 168 cm 

Weight: 57 kg 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mint_chalida/ (4.9M Followers)

Chalida Vijitvongtong (better known as Mint Chalida), is also a model turned actress. She started her career as a model and appeared in TV commercials (23). Since then, Mint has continually got cast in various works as supporting characters. Her first acting breakthrough was when she got cast for one of the leading roles in the drama ‘4 Hua Jai Hang Khun Khao’, together with the then-rookie actor Prin Suparat (Mark Prin). They gained a huge fanbase together (23).

Thanks to the popularity she received from that drama, Mint became more well known in Thailand. Mint has since acted alongside many other popular actors and actresses, including Urassaya Sperbund, and Mario Maurer (23). Mint is also known as a fitness freak and has a curvy, seductive figure admired by many fans (23) – proven by her 4.9M followers on Instagram.

8. Prin Suparat (Mark)

Full Name: Prin Suparat

Known as: Mark Prin

Career: Model/Actor

Born: March 19, 1990

Height: 180 cm 

Weight: 64 kg 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mark_prin/ (6.7M Followers)

Born in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Mark Prin was a Judo athlete before becoming a well-known celebrity. He was part of Rangsit University’s Judo team and became a black-belt holder (24). Mark entered the entertainment industry after getting scouted by a manager working for Channel 3 (24).

After gaining popularity by acting alongside Mint Chalida in the drama ‘4 Hua Jai Hang Khun Khao’, Mark was cast for the lead role in the drama ‘Ab Ruk Online’ and acted as a couple together with Kimberly Anne Woltemas (25). The couple received a lot of love for their roles, and after that, they started dating in real life too – making them one of the nation’s most loved couples (25).

Recently, Mark was chosen as the cover model for Harper’s BAZAAR MEN Thailand Magazine‘s Fall Winter 2021 edition, proving his status as one of the top models in Thailand (26).

7. Mario Muarer

Full Name: Nattawut Suwannarat

Known as: Mario Muarer, Oh

Career: Model/Actor

Born: December 4, 1988

Height: 180 cm 

Weight: 72 kg 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mario_mm38/ (7.7M Followers)

This Thai-Chinese and German descent actor was born in Bangkok. He started as a model before becoming one of the most well-known actors among Thai movie fans. Mario was first scouted at Siam Square when he was only 16 years old (27).

He started modeling and appeared in music videos and commercials during the early years of his career. In 2007, he was cast as one of the main characters for the film ‘The Love of Siam’, where he acted as a gay character named ‘Tong’ (27). This role made him instantly famous, as the movie became a hit. Mario also received many positive reviews from critics. He won several awards at the film festivals – including the Best Actor award at the ‘Starpics Thai Films Award’ for this role.

In 2010, Mario gained more fans, especially overseas, for his role in the popular romantic-comedy movie ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love.’ This movie has received a lot of love from both local and international fans, and both Mario and his co-star Baifern became superstars. But this was not the peak of Mario’s career.

His fame went to the next level when he was cast as the lead actor for the comedy-horror movie ‘Pee Mak,’ which became the highest-grossing in Thailand of all time (28). Mario is an actor that every Thai movie fan knows thanks to these movies, both in Thailand and worldwide. Mario also appeared as a model for many internationally well-known brands, such as Gatsby, Pond’s, Pepsi, etc. (27).

6. Metawin Opas-iamkajorn (Win)

Full Name: Metawin Opas-iamkajorn

Known as: Win Metawin, Win

Career: Model/Actor

Born: February 21, 1999

Height: 85 cm 

Weight: 70 kg 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winmetawin/ (8.1M Followers)

Known as Win (or Win Metawin,) this young model/actor is currently one of Thailand’s hottest celebrities. Win is a Thai-Chinese born in Bangkok and only started his acting career in 2020. Win entered the entertainment industry when he was a trainee actor for about one year, under ONE31. He then moved to GMMTV for an actor contract and debuted there (29).

His debut project was the top-rated BL TV series called ‘2gether’, produced and aired by GMMTV (29). This series brought instant fame to both male leads of the drama, Win and Bright, who acted as characters ‘Tine’ and ‘Sarawat’ respectively.

Currently, Win is starring as one of the F4 members in the highly anticipated Thai-remake version of the popular drama series ‘Boys Over Flower,’ alongside his 2gether co-star Bright Vachirawit Tontawan Tantivejakul, Jirawat Sutivanichsak, and Hirunkit Changkham. Win was also chosen as one of the most handsome faces in the world by TC Candler for 2021, ranking at 57^th place (30).

5. Pimchanok Luevisadpaibul (Baifern)

Full Name: Pimchanok Luevisadpaibul 

Known as: Baifern

Career: Model/Actress

Born: September 30, 1992

Height: 165 cm 

Weight: 52 kg 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baifernbah/ (9.5M Followers)

Baifern is extremely popular, both locally and internationally, thanks to her movies and commercials. This Thai-Chinese beauty first appeared in a commercial when she was just a 6th-grade student (31).  After that, she signed a contract with Channel 7 Thailand for six years, from 2010 to 2016.

In 2010, Baifern rose to fame as her movie with Mario Maurer, ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love,’ became a hit (31). Baifern was 18 years old when she was cast in this movie for the role of ‘Nam’; an ugly duckling turned into a beautiful swan. She was loved by many as her character was sympathized with by many young girls, and Baifern also won the Best Rising Actress award for her role (32).

After her contract with Channel 7 ended, Baifern became a freelance actress and acted in several dramas and movies. In 2019, Baifern starred in the popular romantic-comedy movie – ‘Friendzone’ and gained more recognition overseas. Thai media called her the ‘the queen of commercials’ as she was chosen as the brand ambassador for a total of 30 brands in the year 2020, and still endorsing many brands currently as well (33).

If you visit Thailand, the chances are that you will see one of Baifern’s advertisement billboards and commercials as she is endorsing popular brands like J&T Express, TRUE telecom, Vivo, Nescafe.

4. Vachirawit Chivaaree (Bright)

Full Name: Vachirawit Chivaaree

Known as: Bright, Bright Vachirawit

Career: Model/Actor/Singer/Host

Born: December 27, 1997

Height: 183 cm 

Weight: 73 kg 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbrightvc/ (9.9M Followers)

Bright Vachirawit (or Bright), is another rising superstar in Thailand. Born to a family of mixed races, Bright is a Thai-Chinese-American, which makes his looks standout among the other models and actors. At the age of 15, Bright entered the showbiz industry as one of the hosts for the variety show named ‘Strawberry Krubcake’ in 2013 and continued in this role for three years (34).

Then, in 2016, he first made his acting debut in the film ‘Love Say Hey.’ Later in 2018, he was selected for GMM25 New Face 2018 (35). Bright became popular when he was cast for the role of the younger version of the lead actor, Sunny Suwanmethanont, in the popular drama ‘My Ambulance’ (35).

In 2020, Bright starred (and rose to fame) in the BL drama ‘2gether: The Series’ as the lead character, Sarawat. As the series became very popular, both in Thailand and worldwide, Bright gained a large fanbase, together with his co-star Win Metawin.

Since then, Bright has been considered one of the most popular stars in Thailand. He’s been chosen as the model for many brands. In 2021, Bright was chosen as the lead character for the Thai remake version of the popular drama ‘Boys Over Flowers’ (35). He was also chosen as one of the 2021’s most handsome faces in the world by TC Candler, ranking at no.67 (30).

3. Araya Hargate (Chompoo)

Full Name: Araya Alberta Hargate 

Known as: Chompoo Araya

Career: Model/Actress/Host/Business Owner

Born: June 28, 1981

Height: 170 cm 

Weight: 57 kg 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chomismaterialgirl/ (10.6M Followers)

One would not assume Chompoo (or Araya) to be 40 years old. But in fact, she was born in 1981 and is a mother of 3. This youthful-looking, Thai-British star has been in the entertainment industry since 17 years old. Araya was discovered at the Misens Motor Show Contest and became famous after that (36). She has starred in several Thai soap operas and films, and some of her best-known works include I Love You Two, Tootsies & the Fake, and Crazy Crying Lady (37).

Her fans know Araya as ‘Chompoo,’ which means ‘Pink’ in the Thai language – her favorite color (36). Her high cheekbones and sultry eyes are her trademarks, and are often chosen as one of the hottest actresses in Thailand (38).

She is also known for her fit body. She once said that she hits the gym regularly and does Yoga to keep her body in perfect shape (39). Araya is also hailed as a ‘high fashion queen’ and a ‘fashionista’ (38). She is chosen to endorse top brands like Adidas and is an ambassador for the iconic beauty brand, L’Oreal Paris. Chompoo has appeared in commercial campaigns for brands like Lux, Downy, and Mistine (39).

2. Urassaya Sperbund (Yaya)

Full Name: Urassaya Sperbund

Known as: Yaya

Career: Model/Actress

Born: March 18, 1993

Height: 170 cm 

Weight: 57 kg 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urassayas/ (11.1M Followers)

Yaya is a Thai-Norwegian beauty known as the “Queen of Presenter” in Thailand as she appeared in more than 30 commercials (38). Before becoming an actress, Yaya could only speak 30% of the Thai language, as most of her friends are American, and she spent her childhood attending an international school.

Only after signing a contract with the famous Channel 3 in Thailand did Yaya start to learn the Thai language with a personal coach (40). Yaya first entered the entertainment industry in 2008, but she didn’t gain popularity immediately. She only shot to fame in 2010 after starring in the drama Duang Jai Akkanee as a daring and fearless character named  “Jeed” (40).

Together with her co-star Nadech, who later became her boyfriend in real life, they have gained an enormous fanbase and became the most popular couple in Thailand. In 2019, the two confirmed their relationship in real life. Yaya also gained international fame when she was cast for the lead role in the romantic-comedy movie ‘Brother Of The Year’ with Sunny Suwanmethanont and Thai Kpop Idol, Nichkhun (41).

To this day, Yaya is regarded as an iconic actress and a perfect role model due to her acting skills, adorable physique, and her prim and proper image. She has proven to be a beauty with the brain, as she graduated with her BA while maintaining a 3.3 GPA at Thailand’s no.1 university, Chulalongkorn (40).

With her high cheekbones and lean physiques, Yaya also models for famous magazines such as Elle, Seventeen, Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, and Vogue. In fact, Yaya is the first Thai celebrity to be featured in US Vogue magazine and is the first Thai actress to receive the title ‘friend of Louis Vuitton’ (41). Yaya endorsed popular brands such as Pantene, Uniqlo, Maybelline and also appeared in the commercial campaigns of OPPO Thailand, Louis Vuitton, Nivea, Cute Press, and so on – proving her status as one of Thailand’s supermodels (41). 

1. Davika Hoorne

Full Name: Davika Hoorne

Known as: Davika, Mai, Mai Davika

Career: Model/Actress/Business Owner

Born: May 16, 1992

Height: 173 cm 

Weight: 52 kg 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davikah/ (15.2M Followers)

Finally, drum roll, please… At no.1 in our list of Thailand’s most famous and sexiest top models, is none other than Davika Hoorne or Mai Davika. With a whopping 15.2M followers on her Instagram account, Davika is the most sought out actress. She has always been chosen as a cult favorite amongst stylists, makeup artists, magazine publishers, and brands – both locally and internationally (42).

Davika is known for her Barbie doll-like figure and exotic beauty that she inherited from being a Thai-Belgium mixed person. She entered the showbiz scene when she was 14 by appearing in various commercials. After catching the attention of the famous manager A Supachai, she was signed by Channel 7 and made her debut in the Thai soap opera named ‘Ngao Kammathep (43).

In 2013, her popularity rose after staring in the remake version of the drama ‘Tawan Tor Saeng.’ Since then, her career has constantly been on the rise (43). Also, in 2013, she acted for the lead role of Thailand’s highest-grossing film, Pee Mak, and became the most famous Thai actress. Davika is a Thai supermodel renowned for her seductive eyes and sexy body figure. She joined the New York Fashion Week in 2017 for Michael Kors, and in 2018, Davika represented Thailand at Paris Fashion Week, walking the runway in the process (44).

She was also dubbed as the most compelling newcomer by Vogue at 2018’s Milan Fashion Week, proving that she is at the top when it comes to modeling (45). Davika is also a fashion inspiration to many, worked with many fashion and beauty brands (46), and was also a spokesperson for L’Oreal Paris (44). Davika is undoubtedly the no.1 top model in Thailand, be it for fame, beauty, or career success!

Conclusion

There you have it! From how tall one needs to be a model in Thailand and an explanation of different types of Thai models, to the list of top celebrity models in Thailand and their facts – this article is your ultimate guide of the model scene in Thailand.

And aside from the supermodels that made the list, keep an eye out for new and rising Thai models, such as Jan Baiboon, who is the only Thai model to walk the runway for Chanel’s SS22 show (47). And the Kpop fangirl and future dentist Tu Tontawan Tantivejakul, who is currently starring as the female lead character in the Thai remake of ‘Boys Over Flower’ drama series (48).

All in all, the Thai model industry, for sure, is well worth keeping track of for all the fashion and showbiz enthusiasts out there.

Like always, if you want to discover more about Thailand, stay guided with ThaiGuider. You might learn something you never knew about this unique country.

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The post 16 Hottest Male & Female Thai Models Seen on Instagram appeared first on ThaiGuider.

One even got chosen in the list of 100 Most Beautiful Faces in the World for 2014, and more often than not, they usually are famous social media stars. And as a country that is known for being tolerant towards the LGBTQ+ community, ladyboys are more visible in Thai society than in other Asian countries.

Many ladyboys in Thailand work in occupations usually predominated by females, such as beauty salons, hotel front desks, and restaurants. Many also work in the entertainment industry as social media influencers, models, actresses, and cabarets or the famous “Tiffany Show” performers.

As society has become more open-minded, the interest in ladyboys has increased. Here’s a list of the Top 10 Asian Ladyboys who have shot to fame for being the sexiest and most beautiful.

10. Jess Labares

Nationality: Filipinos

Age: 28 Years Old

Profession: Flight Attendant, Model, Beauty Pageant 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesslabares/

Jess is a transgender model and also the first transwoman to become a flight attendant for Cebu Pacific Airline in the Philippines. Jess is often described as a ‘sunshine’ due to her warm and contagious smile.

After graduating with a degree in Physical Therapy, Jess started working at a call center, and that was when she decided to join the beauty pageants. In 2017, she was placed at 7^th place for Queen Philippines Pageant. Then in 2019, she won the title of Queen Universe Philippines, securing her career as a beauty queen.

Despite her beauty pageant career going well, Jess continued to pursue her childhood dream of being a flight attendant, and she was able to achieve that dream in 2019 by being a part of the Cebu Pacific crew (25).

In 2020, Jess participated in Miss International Queen Competition. She ranked within the Top 6 finalists and also won the title of Miss Photogenic award (26). According to her Instagram profile, Jess is happily engaged to her partner.

9. Pemika ‘Pynk’ Ditsayamethanont

Nationality: Thai

Age: 28 Years Old

Profession: Model, Beauty Pageant 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pynk_pemika/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pynk.molly

Pemika or Pynk is a famous Instagram model and a social media star from Thailand. Her Instagram account has more than 60.1K followers, and her Facebook account also has nearly 100,000 followers.

Pynk is known for her doll-like face and sexy figure. With fair skin, a sexy body figure, and innocent-looking facial features, many people say that Pynk looks like a Japanese anime character (20). 

Pynk studied at Bangkok University and majored in Communication Arts. After getting her surgeries, Pynk first gained the spotlight when she was chosen as the spokesperson for a surgery hospital in South Korea. Pynk was also a contest for the Miss Tiffany Universe competition in 2018 (21).

8. Nathachat “Hana” Chanchiew

Nationality: Thai

Age: 30 Years Old

Profession: Model

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hanashac/

Nathachat or Hana, as known by her nickname, is a famous transgender model, and she also participated in ‘The Face Thailand Season 3’ alongside Lady Blossom.

Hana rose to her fame during the competition, and although she didn’t win the title, she had been fans’ favorite ever since the audition rounds. And like others on this list, Hana also competed in Miss Tiffany’s Universe competition and was one of the top 10 contestants in the 2015 competition (15).

Hana is known for her toned, sexy body and tanned skin, making her one of the sexiest models in Thailand. Hana was a model for brands like Maybelline and appeared in the publications like Lips Magazine (16). 

Currently, her Instagram account has over 144k followers. She is also known as one of the most successful and richest models in Thailand, with an estimated net worth of $1-5 Million. As for her private life, Hana has graduated from the Suan Dusit Rajabhat University in 2014 with a degree in hotel business management (17).

7. Jiratchaya “Mo” Sirimongkolnawin

Nationality: Thai

Age: 30 Years Old

Profession: Model, Beauty Pageant, Management Agency Director

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mojiratchayaa/

Jiratchaya was chosen as the beauty queen for Miss Tiffany Universe 2016 and the winner of Miss International Queen 2016 (10). Mo likes to play sports and has the perfect figure of a model.

She is known for her stunning looks, with her height and aura that is hard to miss even in a crowded room. As a child, Mo faced difficulties as she had to hide her ‘feminine side from her family.

Eventually, her family accepted her for who she was. Her father actually paid for the registration fees of the beauty pageant competition, where she won the crown (11).

Jiratchaya was chosen as the ambassador for the “I For TG Women program,” Thailand’s official transwomen’s health intervention initiative. She is supported by the Thai Red Cross Society and the Italian Red Cross (11).

Jiratchaya has also appeared in a commercial campaign for L’Oreal with actress Araya Hargate and 2015’s Miss Universe Thailand Aniporn Chalermburanawong. Currently, Jiratchaya is active as a blogger and being a “boss lady.” She is the director of Feline Agency, a talent management agency for diverse talent models and influencers.

6. Ling Piyada Inthavong

Nationality: Laos

Age: 29 Years Old

Profession: Model, Beauty Pageant

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lingpiyadar/

Known as her nickname ‘Ling Ling’, Piyada Inthavong is a Laos transgender model and celebrity. She first gained public attention during the 2014 Miss International Queen Competition, where she ranked as the 2^nd runner up among the top 3 finalists.

Ever since she was a child, Ling wanted to become a girl and was “embarrassed to dress as a man.” After her trip to Thailand, Ling was inspired by the ladyboys in Thailand that she asked permission from her family to let her undergo surgery.

At the age of 19, Ling completed her sex reassignment surgery and moved to Thailand to begin her career as a model (18). After becoming the 2^nd runner-up in the famous Miss International Queen contest, Ling also appeared as a contestant for a Thai TV program called “The Casting Project Thailand Season 2” in 2015 (19).

Ling is currently a model and also posting vlogs on her youtube channel – “LOOK LIKE LING หลิงหลิง” and her Instagram account has over 262K followers. Ling is also a model for many brands in Thailand and is active as a catwalk model in many events.

5. Lady Blossom

Nationality: Thai

Age: 25 Years Old

Profession: Model, Idol, Actress, Clothing Brand Owner

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladyblossom/

Her real name is Chananchida Roongpetchrat, and she is currently active on social media and the entertainment industry with her nickname ‘Lady Blossom.’

Lady Blossom is known for her doll-like figure and slim body, with her height being around 175cm (12) at 51kg body weight. Lady Blossom was also a runner-up at Miss Tiffany’s Universe 2013 (13) and appeared on a model competition called ‘The Face Thailand Season 3’, where she ranked 10^th  (14).

During the ‘The Face Thailand’ competition, she was one of the fans’ favorites, together with other ladyboy models such as Nathachat “Hana” Chancheaw, who ranked at 9^th place (15). Lady Blossom also starred in online miniseries called “AOi The Series” in 2016.

She is also a fan of makeup and sometimes uploads makeup tutorials on her Youtube channel and Instagram account. And like many other social media stars, Lady Blossom often promotes makeup and skincare brands on her Instagram account and has over 278K followers.

She also owns a clothing line named ‘No More Innocence.’  In 2021, Lady Blossom became a girl group member of a 5-member project group called ‘2021 Ratri’, alongside Milli, Gam Wichayanee, Waii, and Jingjing Yu (14). Her position in the group is sub-vocalist, and the group has released a music video in March 2021.

4. Millen Cyrus

Nationality: Indonesia

Age: 25 Years Old

Profession: Model, Beauty Pageant 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/millencyrus/

Millen is an openly transgender Insta-celebrity from Indonesia. Her Instagram account has over 1.2 million followers, and her youtube video about her experience as a transwoman also gained over 6 million viewers. Millen has caused a lot of buzz in her country for many reasons.

Most significantly, Indonesia is a Muslim country and not as accepting of the LGBTQ+ community as Thailand. Millen being a transwoman had caused controversies. Millen’s aunty, Ashanty, is also a famous celebrity in Indonesia (22), making her gain a lot of attention from the start.

Millen is perhaps the only one on this list who had not undergone complete sex reassignment surgery, although she had had implant surgeries, making her look voluptuous and sexy. She has also expressed that she does not wish to remove her male reproductive organ parts now (23). 

Last year, Millen was arrested as a suspect for a drug case, and when the police put her in the male detention center, people were outraged and demanded the police department respect her. As a result, she was later moved to a special cell (24). This year, Millen is chosen as Miss Queen Indonesia 2021. 

3. Rinrada ‘Yoshi’ Thurapan

Nationality: Thai

Age: 24 Years Old

Profession: Actress, Model, Beauty Pageant 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoshirinrada/

Yoshi is known for her pretty feminine appearance and is famous not only in Thailand but in Asia too. Winner of Miss Tiffany Universe 2017, Yoshi also represented Thailand in Miss International Queen Competition and ranked as the 2^nd runner for 2018.

Yoshi was a student at Bangkok University, majoring in Communication Arts. Yoshi started working as a model and actress ever since she was a teenager and by the age of 18, she had already secured her position as a high-profile endorser of Thai cosmetic brands (5).

During her interview video for Miss International Queen, Yoshi said that while it was hard for her to transition into a beauty pageant from a teen actress, the process was like a makeover for her. She also said that she enjoys being an entertainer as that allows her to do what she enjoys and gain social acceptance (6). 

In 2019, Yoshi was in the headlines when a fellow guest star, DJ Plakung, made inappropriate jokes toward her during a TV show they both appeared in. Many defended Yoshi, and later, DJ Plakung made a public apology to Yoshi and Yoshi said that she forgave him for the incident (7), showing that even famous stars like Yoshi still face difficulties for being a transwoman.

Despite these hardships, Yoshi is still going strong. Her Instagram account has 1.5 million followers, and she has also starred in music videos and television programs in Thailand.

2. Nguyen Huong Giang

Nationality: Vietnam

Age: 29 Years Old

Profession: Singer, Model

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huoggiangggg/

Nguyen Huong Giang has almost 4M followers on Instagram and is one of Asia’s sexiest and most famous ladyboys. She first made headlines in 2012 when she openly admitted to being transgender on the reality show Vietnam Idol (8).

She had gained so much attention and empathy during that program and continued to become active in the entertainment industry. Although having no prior experience in beauty pageant competitions, Nguyen Huong Giang won Miss International Queen Competition in 2018.

She became the first-ever Vietnamese contestant to win in this internationally famous prestige beauty competition held in Pattaya. She then continued to become a TV star and a singer in Vietnam. Nguyen also won The Amazing Race Vietnam Season 3.

Her Facebook account also has over 529k followers, proving her status as one of the most famous celebrities in the country (9).

Despite being so famous now, Nguyen faced a lot of hardships before, as many other members of the LGBTQ+ community had. Nguyen had her sex reassignment surgery in Thailand almost 10 years before winning the crown as a beauty pageant. At that time, she avoided her father as he was not accepting of her sexuality. However, she eventually gained support from her family.

Nguyen is also committed to advocating for LGBTQ+ rights in Vietnam, as Vietnam is not as accepting as Thailand when it comes to such issues. She founded Miss International Queen Vietnam to help promote awareness and acceptance towards the LGBTQ+ community in Vietnam and said that she hoped “everybody to give transgender people a chance so they can be stronger” (9).

1. Treechada ‘Poyd’ Petcharat

Nationality: Thai

Age: 29 Years Old

Profession: Actress, Model, Beauty Pageant 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poydtreechada/

And, number 1 in the list is none other than Treechada ‘Poyd’ Petcharat, perhaps the most famous and successful ladyboy in Thailand. Poyd, as most know by her nickname, is perhaps the most famous ladyboy in Thailand. She has 2.5 million followers on her Instagram account and is also working as a model and actress.

Poyd had had her sexual reassignment surgery when she was only 17 years old (2). Back then, she didn’t receive much support from her family. Despite that, she entered the famous Miss Tiffany Universe, the annual beauty pageant competition held in Pattaya, in 2004 and won the crown at the age of 19.

She represented Thailand in the Miss International Queen 2014 competition and won the competition again, becoming the talk of the nation (3). Since then, she has started her career in the entertainment industry and become the brand ambassador for many brands in Thailand.

In 2014, she signed with a Hongkong agency and starred in many action movies from Hongkong and mainland China. She has been in several films, both in local and international ones, and received good responses for the movie called “The White Storm,” in which she acted alongside Louis Koo. 

Poyd is also very well known for her pretty features and is the only ladyboy to be included on the TC Candler’s annual list of 100 women with the most beautiful faces in the world for 2014. Poyd ranked 73^rd and was the only representative to be chosen from Thailand (4).

Poyd also holds degrees in mass communication and cosmetic technology from Suan Dusit University and North Chiang Mai University respectively, proving that she is not just another pretty face in the industry (3).

Since the beginning of her career, Poyd has been actively advocating for transwomen and LGBTQ rights. Many ladyboys in Thailand choose Poyd as their role model.

Like always, if you want to discover more about Thailand, stay guided with ThaiGuider. You might learn something you never knew about this unique country.

References

1. Hasa. Difference Between Ladyboy And Shemale. Pediaa. [Online] January 10, 2017. https://pediaa.com/difference-between-ladyboy-and-shemale/.

2. Fierce Publishing. Treechada Petcharat. Fierce Publishing. [Online] 2021. http://2-mag.com/site/profile/2015/POYD+TREECHADA–PETCHARAT.

3. Kamol Hospital. Inspirational Stories. Kamol Hospital. [Online] July 09, 2020. https://www.kamolhospital.com/en/read-BecomingYourRealSelf/Becoming-Your-Real-Self-Poy/.

4. Coconuts Bangkok. ‘Poyd Treechada’ Named World’s 73rd Most Beautiful Face. Coconuts. [Online] December 30, 2014. https://coconuts.co/bangkok/lifestyle/poyd-treechada-named-worlds-73rd-most-beautiful-face/.

5. Kamol Hospital. Our Thankful Clients. Kamol Hospital. [Online] July 09, 2020. https://www.kamolhospital.com/es/detail-testimonial/Yoshi/.

6. Thurapan, Rinrada. No.23 Rinrada Thurapan | Thailand | MIQ2018. No.23 Rinrada Thurapan | Thailand | MIQ2018. s.l. : Miss International Queen, January 23, 2018.

7. Melalin Mahavongtrakul. Of Loss and Triumph. Bangkok Post. [Online] October 28, 2019. https://www.bangkokpost.com/life/social-and-lifestyle/1781304/of-loss-and-triumph.

8. Hanh Vu. Meet Trans Beauty Queen Nguyen Huong Giang, First Vietnamese Miss International Queen Winner And An Outspoken Advocate For LGBT Rights. SCMP. [Online] August 9, 2021. https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3144380/meet-trans-beauty-queen-nguyen-huong-giang-first.

9. Patipat Janthong. Bringing Home Tolerance. Bangkok Post. [Online] March 17, 2018. https://www.bangkokpost.com/life/social-and-lifestyle/1429867/bringing-home-tolerance.

10. THE SUNDAY NATION PATTAYA. ‘Mo’ Wins Big Transgender Pageant In Pattaya. The National Thailand. [Online] March 11, 2017. https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/30308711.

11. Melalin Mahavongtrakul. Busting Stereotypes. Bangkok Post. [Online] July 22, 2017. https://www.bangkokpost.com/life/social-and-lifestyle/1291959/busting-stereotypes.

12. Wikipedia. The Face Thailand (season 3). Wikipedia. [Online] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Face_Thailand_(season_3).

13. T-Pop Wiki. Lady Blossom. T-Pop Wiki. [Online] https://tpop.fandom.com/wiki/Lady_Blossom.

14. Jack Sean. Lady Blossom (2021 Ratri Member) Age, Bio, Wiki, Facts & More. Kpop Members Bio. [Online] May 23, 2021. https://kpopmembersbio.com/lady-blossom-2021-ratri-member-age-bio-wiki-facts-more/.

15. Coconuts Bangkok. Trans Beauties: Internet Cheers On These Hot Trans Models To Win The Face Thailand. Coconuts. [Online] August 23, 2016. https://coconuts.co/bangkok/lifestyle/trans-beauties-internet-cheers-these-hot-trans-models-win-face-thailand/.

16. Famous Birhtdays. Natachat Chanchiew. Famous Birthdays. [Online] https://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/natachat-chanchiew.html.

17. USA Celebrities. Natachat Chanchiew. USA Celebrities. [Online] https://www.usacelebrities.net/model/natachat-chanchiew/.

18. Wikipedia. Piyada Inthavong. Wikipedia. [Online] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piyada_Inthavong.

19. Alchetron. Piyada Inthavong. Alchetron. [Online] August 27, 2020. https://alchetron.com/Piyada-Inthavong.

20. Coconuts Bangkok. 10 Most Beautiful Transwomen In Thailand (2017 edition). Coconuts. [Online] June 26, 2017. https://coconuts.co/bangkok/lifestyle/10-beautiful-transwomen-thailand-2017-edition/.

21. TG Beauty. Pynk Pemika – No. 15 Miss Tiffany’s Universe 2018 Contestants. 2016 TG Beauty. [Online] https://tgbeautymedia.blogspot.com/2018/08/pynk-pemika-miss-tiffanys-universe.html.

22. Jakarta 100 Bars. 12 Sexiest And Most Beautiful Asian Ladyboys. Jakarta 100 Bars. [Online] https://www.jakarta100bars.com/2020/09/sexy-ladyboys-asia.html.

23. Reva Anggara. Medial News. [Online] Sexy Millen Cyrus Confesses To Having Male Genitals On Her Body: Okezone Celebrity, September 11, 2021. https://www.medialnews.com/sexy-millen-cyrus-confesses-to-having-male-genitals-on-her-body-okezone-celebrity/.

24. The New Indian Express. Following Outrage, Indonesian Police Move Transgender Celebrity Millen Cyrus To Private Cell. The New Indian Express. [Online] November 27, 2020. https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2020/nov/27/following-outrage-indonesian-police-move-transgender-celebritymillen-cyrus-to-private-cell-2228897.html.

25. Sara de los Reyes and Renee Nuevo. Mikee Vitug, Jess Labares Transcend Boundaries—They’re Cebu Pacific’s First Trans Woman Flight Attendants. Metro Styles. [Online] December 26, 2019. https://metro.style/people/inspiring-stories/mikee-vitug-jess-labares-cebu-pac-transwomen-crew/22192.

26. Lorenzo Cruz. Pinay Transgender Jess Labares Hailed Miss Photogenic At Miss International Queen pageant In Thailand. Good News Pilipinas. [Online] March 8, 2020. https://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/pinay-transgender-jess-labares-hailed-miss-photogenic-at-miss-international-queen-pageant-in-thailand/.

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