A major escalation occurred this week in the war of “ladyboy” prostitutes in Bangkok, Thailand, when two groups engaged in a massive brawl outside a hotel utilized by prostitutes from the Philippines on Sukhumvit Road, an area known for its nightlife and adult entertainment venues.
The term “ladyboy” is the most common translation of the Khmer-originating term “kathoey,” describing biological males who affect the attributes of women. This phenomenon is largely distinct from and independent of Western transgender ideology. These “ladyboys” are disproportionately involved in various forms of sex work, catering to the massive sex tourism industries in Bangkok and other Southeast Asian cities.
The bizarre, recent conflict reportedly began when a group of Filipino ladyboys, who were selling their bodies in the Thai capital, robbed and beat up one of their Thai competitors, bragging about the incident and posting “f*ck Thai ladyboys” on Instagram.
The ethnic conflict escalated when Thai ladyboys retaliated, appearing en masse outside of a hotel used by the Filipino ladyboys, sparking a giant street brawl which in time became a full-blown riot.
Captured on video, the melee saw the use of stilettos as weapons, with participants hitting police officers, climbing buildings and engaging in physical altercations that led to clothing being torn and objects thrown.
“Upon receiving the report that a large number of transgender workers were gathering, police were dispatched to provide security at the location in Soi Sukhumvit 11 to prevent further violence,” Police Colonel Yingyot Suwanno, the superintendent of Lumpini Police Station, said. “Officers were armed as is normal procedure. They handled the situation well and kept the crowd under control”
“Those involved were summoned to the police station for questioning,” the distinctly non-ladyboy Police Colonel added. “We assured everyone there will be fairness and we will make judgments accordingly. We are currently questioning the suspects, some of those who complained, and we will summon anyone else who has been identified, for further interrogations.”
The incident did not conclude on the streets but continued at the Lumpini district police station, where the Filipino sex workers were reportedly detained for lacking the necessary visas and work permits. The superintendent highlighted the efforts to question suspects, complainants and any identified individuals for further interrogation, along with checking their immigration status to confirm their eligibility to work in Thailand.
Bangkok’s reputation as a hub for the world’s most affordable and vibrant red light areas dates back to the 1960s, following the establishment of American military bases in Thailand. This legacy has continued, with the city now hosting a vast number of entertainment venues catering to international tourists. Despite the official stance that prostitution is illegal, the industry operates with a degree of impunity, attributed to systematic bribes to law enforcement agencies.
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