Thai hotel warns guests about ‘ladyboys’
A Thai hotel is under fire for a form warning guests about ‘ladyboys’.
The Omni Complex Hotel in Bangkok, a city famous for its trans population and sex work trade, allegedly gives the form to guests trying to bring back a visitor.
The form, which is reportedly given to hotel guests to fill out if they have a visitor perceived to be a sex worker, says: “This is to inform you that the person you want to bring your room is not a lady he is a LADY BOY”.
It asks: “Now we are informing you she is a LADY BOY do you still want to bring her to your room? [Yes/No].
“Have you negotiated the price before he is going to your room? [ Box for price]
“There are many occasion fighting begin over the price.”
It also warns: “Please be careful of your valuable belonging because there are cases where the valuables of guest lost after these entertaintment people entered the room.”
Writing on the blog ‘Dear Straight People’ Leow Yangfa, the executive director of Singapore-based LGBT group Oogachaga, took apart the form.
They explained: “The letter helpfully informed [guests] that they had brought back a ‘lady boy’ and goes on to ask questions about how much the guest paid for the ‘lady boy’, using male pronouns to refer to them, and ending off by stating that these ‘entertainment people’ are likely to steal guests’ valuables.
“Now, despite Thailand’s reputation as a supposedly LGBT-friendly country, the reality is that transgender persons face such stereotyping and discrimination on a regular basis.
“If pushed to explain, the hotel would probably say it was within their rights to ensure the safety of their guests. And of course, there is only so much we can do about it here in Singapore.”
They added: “The reality is: some theft occurs in hotels. It is the job of Management to deal with it discreetly and properly, rather than to presume guilt, or judge and discriminate against their guests or visitors.
“Some transgender women provide sexual services for a fee. It is called sex work, and sex work is work.
“Some couples fight over sex and money. What a surprise!
“[But] if it is a consensual, private arrangement between 2 adults, why should the hotel be the morality police? And if the hotel is so concerned about vice, wouldn’t a sign or letter informing guests of the rules suffice?”
However some locals defended the hotel.
One commenter insisted: “It is very well known, also from crime cases, that ladyboys tend to be thieves, theft with ladyboys happens far more often than with women or men, providing services.
“Also, many do not discuss the price and then there are two surprises a) its not a real woman, b) the nice and blissful moments were not for free.
“The ones facing the headaches afterwards, is it because of theft or disappointment regarding the partner, are the hotel staff. They must then sort out the matter, and this is definitely no fun!”
Another added: “The Management note to customer was intended to protect their guest due to (obviously) incidents of theft – what so hateful about that to protect the guest?”
The country generally has an acceptance for transgender people, and is making moves to make a better prison system for trans individuals.
However, reports emerged earlier this year of trans women being conscripted into the Army as men.
