Many ladyboys use hormones to enhance female attributes and some may undergo gender-affirming surgeries . However, long-term hormone use and a lack of specialized healthcare facilities can impact their physical and mental health .

This report provides a summary of the lifestyle and role within the entertainment industry of "ladyboys" (kathoeys), with a focus on their socio-economic experiences and the challenges they face.

For many, the entertainment and sex industries are "easy" ways to earn money in the face of employment discrimination in other fields . Some aim to earn as much as possible while young to provide security for their future . Challenges and Vulnerabilities

Despite their visibility, ladyboys often face structural impediments , such as being unable to legally change their gender on identification documents, which still list them as "male" in Thailand . Role in Entertainment and Occupational Wellbeing