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A Bangkok Experience

Photos and Story by Miki Clarke



I was invited to a function at a top hotel in Bangkok on a recent visit, frankly it was a total bore so I left early. On the way down in the elevator it stopped at the next floor and a Thai woman of exquisite beauty entered she was very tall and made up like a high fashion model. Her voice was rather husky as she asked me where I was from. As we left the elevator I asked her to join me at the coffee shop where we chatted for 30 minutes or so.

She told me she was in fact a ladyboy or Katoey. She worked as a hostess and waitress at a nearby club. We made arrangements to contact each other later in the week as I was keen to photograph her she was late for work and could nonstop.

She told me that there was a very fine cabaret show in the hotel called the Calypso Club that featured some of the most beautiful katoeys in South East Asia . I decided to go, I was not disappointed .

The show was full mostly of Japanese tourists. The show featured a MC who was a Liza Minelli lookalike straight out of "Cabaret" and the most beautiful katoeys danced mimed and seduced the audience in the most amazing manner.

Their figures were full and it was obvious several had had their adams apple shaved and a little bit of silicone here and there, but who cares.

The costumes were out of this world and would do credit to anyLas Vegas show. The girls were light on their feet as they did exercisers many Broadway shows as well as homages to Polynesia ( a huludance) and Korea( a superlative rendition of a Korean love dance).

Miki Marcel Marceau was also featured as the principal dancer, a most beautiful creature, did a very evocative number in a skin tight black leotard.

At the end of the show the girls happily posed for photographs for the tourists. I spoke at lenghth with one of the girls and one could not help but be overcome by their openness, friendliness, and exquisite beauty.

The Calypso Cabaret is situated in Sukhumvit Soi 11 in Bangkok. It is a very up market establishment with full bar service and a professional lighting and sound system. It has a floor level stage and the audience sit arond the stage at tables in utmost comfort. The show is managed by Mr. Hans Hoencke who correographs the entire show and gives the commentary.

The Katoey is a Thai word for transexual or transvestite. These "girls" are fully accepted by Thai society and are an integral part of the culture. Many of the men in Thai culture (as in Japan) often play feminine roles in traditional dance and theatre, also many of them work as hostesses and prostitutes. Many a good "man" has been fooled by these "girls".


Watch for a full pictorial on the
Girls of Bankok that is coming soon!


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