The Official Top 10 Sexiest Asian Ladyboys

When the word “ladyboy” is used in conversation in the West, it is generally understood to refer to transgender individuals in Asia, with Thailand often coming to mind first.

We’ve all heard the jokes: “You’re going to Thailand? If you go home with a woman, make sure it’s really a woman… hahaha.” They can get tiring, and they reduce complex identities to punchlines.

For some reason, Western culture seems to have a particular fascination with transgender people. Consider the recent discussion surrounding Caitlyn Jenner after her transition: responses ranged from moral outrage and voyeuristic fascination to genuine admiration for her courage and visibility as a role model for trans people.

In Thailand, a country often associated with transgender culture, Caitlyn’s arrival would likely provoke little more than a raised eyebrow. This is not simply because transgender people are visible, but because Thai culture is more accepting of diversity and self-expression.

Acceptance & Discrimination

This acceptance is deeply rooted in Thai Buddhism, which itself has been influenced by Hindu traditions. In some regions of Asia influenced by Hinduism, the deity Ardhanari — a composite androgynous form of Shiva and Parvati — is considered a protector of those who identify as hijra or transgender. This framework is arguably more inclusive than the often judgmental narratives found in some Judeo-Christian traditions.

It would be inaccurate to claim that transgender women in Thailand do not face discrimination — they do, and equality has not been fully achieved. However, in my experience, Thai society as a whole tends to be more accepting of the third gender than many Western societies. This cultural acceptance has enabled transgender women in Thailand to live with greater social freedom than in many other parts of the world.

For context, consider historical Western restrictions such as the UK’s Section 28 (1988–2003), which prohibited educational materials from portraying same-sex relationships as normal. By contrast, Thailand’s social framework allows transgender individuals to navigate life openly, though public displays of affection, whether heterosexual or same-sex, are generally discouraged for cultural reasons.

Transgender women — known locally as kathoey or nang far — have become a source of curiosity for many foreign visitors. This is reflected in the thriving cabaret scene, modelling competitions like Miss Tiffany, and the broader entertainment and service industries.

So why do some Western tourists take such an interest in Thai transgender women?

Perhaps it is the exoticism of encountering something unfamiliar, or perhaps it is simply curiosity. Whatever the reason, it is clear that Thailand has created a cultural space where transgender women are visible, celebrated, and professionally active, setting a benchmark in social visibility in the region.

Here’s a list of ten of the most famous asian ladyboys, ranked by sexiness, according to my wife (ahem!)

The Top 10 Sexiest Asian Ladyboys

10. Tanyarat “Film” Jirapatpakon

Instagram celebrity, former business student, former air hostess, Miss International Queen 2007 AND 2008, and also winner of Miss Tiffany Universe 2008. Quite the resume, I’m sure you will agree.

Jiratpatpakon is now a model and representative for many beauty products in her native Thailand. It is no surprise that following her rise to fame ‘Film’ as she is known to her fans has seen her career go from strength to strength.

9. Panvilas “Jele” Mongkol

Jele was runner up at Miss Tiffany Universe 2012, Jele now works as a model and television presenter.

She encountered controversy in 2012 when a former boyfriend accused her of throwing his prize winning Persian cat on the ground, causing it to lose some teeth. Jele denied the accusation, and no charges were filed.

8.Belle Nuntita

Belle found fame competing in the 2011 season of Thailand’s Got Talent (yup, that show really is everywhere).

She impressed the judges with her ability to sing in both feminine and masculine tones, and now performs both as a solo artist and in the Kathoey music group, Venus Flytrap.

7. Kayo Sato

Kayo modelled professionally in Japan for three years prior to announcing that she had been born male.

This created some controversy in her country, as she had not only been featured in photo-shoots as a woman, but had also spent several years becoming one of the greatest Street Fighter II combatants the world has ever seen.

Thankfully, the response from her fans was overwhelmingly supportive, and she is currently a public speaker and TV presenter in Japan.

6. Alicia Liu

Miss Liu underwent a full transformation at the age of eighteen, and proceeded to take the Taiwanese modelling scene by storm, beginning in 2008.

In 2010 she was forced to announce that she had been born male following a cruel ‘outing’ by a pupil at her former school.

Undeterred, and with the full support of her friends, family and agency, she said “To go public with my sex change was more of a help for me than hindrance, and it had not affected my life.” Good for her!

5. Harisu (Lee Kyung-eun)

South Korea’s first transgender superstar has trailblazed her way through a career in music, modelling and acting.

Married to rapper Micky Jung since 2007, the now 40 year old Harisu is now focussing her time on building and operating an orphanage and political activism in her native South Korea. Harisu was also the second person ever to achieve legal recognition for her switched gender.

4. Piyada ‘Lingling' Inthavong

Lingling is a relative newcomer to the scene who placed second at the International Queen pageant 2014.

Originally from Laos, Lingling encountered beautiful transgender girls on a trip to Thailand, and became female three years ago, at the age of 19. She now lives full time in Thailand and is pursuing her dreams to become a model.

3. Liu Shihan

Following a troubled time as a child that incorporated the far too common narrative of the pain caused by being born in the wrong body, Liu eventually underwent gender reassignment despite all the hardships she had undergone.

China being a relatively conservative society, it was a national level controversy when Liu, well into her career as a model, was outed online.

“I would rather announce this publicly than allow them to hurt me. Many years ago, I did undergo transsexual surgery,” Liu wrote. “I am being completely frank to everyone. I have been so tired, but now I feel as if all the pressure from the past six years has been released.”

Fortunately, Liu has continued in her career and has slowly gained acceptance as the first transgender model in China.

2.Regine Wu

Regine Wu is renowned as Taiwan’s first transgender celebrity. Now aged 52 (and looking great!)

Regine has been at the forefront of the booming Taiwanese home shopping industry for over a decade, as well as hosting a variety of primetime TV shows.

1. Treechada “Poyd” Petcharat

And of course, our number #1 is Thai 🙂

Poyd is nothing short of legendary, not just as a model and actress in her native Thailand, but as an internationally known beauty.

Since winning at Miss Tiffany’s in 2004, Poyd has subsequently gone on to dominate the world of modelling, and was named 73^rd most beautiful female face in the world, in a survey by TC Chandler.

Now a successful actress, it is reported that she earned upwards of a million $US for her starring role in 2013’s ‘The White Storm.’

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