- Title: THAILAND: School unveils "transvestite" toilets for its students
- Date: 29th June 2008
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) WICHAI SAENGSAKUL, TRANSGENDER STUDENT, SAYING: "I want them (school officials) to decorate the toilet to make it better than this. Something like, painting the toilet pink because it suits us and also using a flower pattern." BOYS LEAVING MALE TOILET BOYS WALKING TO TOILET/BOY PUSHING FRIEND TO "TRANSVESTITE" TOILET (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) MALE STUDENT PAIB
- Embargoed: 14th July 2008 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Thailand
- Country: Thailand
- Topics: Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
- Reuters ID: LVA5DM4LXGT9HSP739H5RXCXK7CN
- Story Text: A Thai school unveiled "transvestite" toilets to cater to its increasing numbers of transgender students.
Dressed like boys but acting like girls, these students were often confused as to which toilets they should use.
The Kamphaeng School in Si Sa Ket, 570 kilometres northeast of Bangkok, created these toilets specifically to comfort hundreds of transgender students who have always longed for their own toilet.
A school survey conducted last semester showed that over 200 of its 2,500 students are transgender students, most of whom fancied a separate restroom.
"When they used male toilets, they would be teased that's why they don't want to use it. They're a little scared so they would just go to female toilets with their female friends. When I saw it, I wondered if female students would feel uncomfortable or not. Then I asked the female students and they said that if the transgender students in their toilets are their friends then it's no problem; but if they're not they feel uncomfortable," said school director Sittisak Sumonta.
This toilet was introduced last May with a sign split down the middle showing a female on one side and a male on the other. It also contains the Thai word "Bandoh" meaning transvestite.
After the daily morning orientation, transgender students use their toilet to do their hair, apply face powder and put on lip gloss before going to class.
The school director said these students were no longer allowed to use female toilets but could still use male toilets if they wanted -- but all of them denied using male toilets as they were often teased by their male classmates.
"Yes it was inconvenient when we didn't have our own toilet. Then we had to use both male and female toilets when there were no people in them.
Yes, it was a bit uncomfortable. And I was also concerned they'd be scared of us," said 17-year old Tanisorn Khantivong from Grade 11.
The school provided them with three toilets, painted in white with music playing all day -- but transgender pupils said they wanted some changes.
"I want them (school officials) to decorate the toilet to make it better than this. Something like, painting the toilet pink because it suits us and also using a flower pattern," said 17-year-old Wichai Saengsakul from Grade 11.
The "Bandoh" toilet was once part of the male toilet but now a big concrete wall separates the two. Male students don't exactly welcome this change, and in fact tend to make a joke of it by pushing each other towards these toilets.
Kamphaeng School is attended by students from Grade 7 to Grade 12. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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