Kathoey

Kathoey or katoey (Thai: กะเทย; RTGS: Kathoei ) is a Thai term that refers to a transgender or an effeminate gay male in Thailand. While a significant number of Thais perceive kathoeys as belonging to a third gender, including many kathoeys themselves, others see them as either a kind of man or a kind of woman. Related phrases include sao (or phuying) praphet song (Thai: สาวประเภทสอง,"a second kind of woman") and phet thi sam (Thai: เพศที่สาม, "third gender"). The word kathoey is of Khmer origin. It is most often rendered as ladyboy or lady boy in English conversation with Thais and this latter expression has become popular across South East Asia. Some English sources gloss kathoeys as non-males.