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Cosmetic castration for ladyboys banned in Thailand

by Catherine Bodry (RSS feed) on Apr 2nd 2008 at 4:00PM

In Thailand, it can be difficult to tell a ladyboy from a lady. The story of the backpacker who thought he was spending the night with a beautiful woman -- only to find out later that it was a beautiful man -- is practically a cliché in traveler's circles in Southeast Asia.

Some ladyboys would like to drop the "boy" from their identities, and an easier alternative to a full-on sex change is castration. That's right. Castration. If that word is sending shivers up spine, don't fret -- Thailand's Ministry of Health banned cosmetic castration this Wednesday, and doctors performing the operation could face up to six months in jail. Formal sex-change therapy "requires rigorous physical and mental evaluation of the patient," while castration can be done in 15-20 minutes and can cost as little as $125. The short time frame and cheap cost is why the procedure has become so popular.

The country has become a leader in sex-change therapy, due to its large number of ladyboys (a term which covers anyone from a transvestite to a man who has had a sex change). That's a whole new form of medical tourism that I hadn't thought about.

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Asia, Thailand

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

angela Apr 2nd 2008 11:53PM

WOW CASTRATION WE NEED THAT HERE FOR THE MOLESTERS.

EDUARDO Jun 28th 2008 2:13PM

quiero que me envien fotografias y videos de transexuales.
gracias

sutapa Jul 30th 2008 7:23AM

hi... but who is more attractive to men, a handsome man with ladylike features or a ladyboy with breasts and hard penis.Only men to answer....SUTAPA,INDIA.

DR. B. K. PAL Oct 6th 2009 12:58PM

I like a medium height (5'4" to 5'6") medium weight around 50 kgs and really a handsome man with ladylike features or a ladyboy with standard breasts, long (min 6") and hard penis. If you have any further querry, write to me.

BINAY Oct 8th 2009 11:59AM

I want for serious relationship followed by marriage (in case of satisfaction) with a medium height (5'4" to 5'6") medium weight around 50 kgs and really a handsome man with ladylike features or a ladyboy with standard breasts, long (min 6") and hard penis. Is it possible to get in Bangkok? If so, please contact me.

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