Rules Change for Sex Change Surgery in Thailand

Sex Change?

If there was actually a crown given to the nation responsible for the most sex-change operations, I am 99% sure that it would be granted to Thailand. Not only is Thailand known for inexpensive cosmetic surgeries, the Thais have a much different understanding of gender-changes than we seem to in the United States. In Thailand, it's easy to see "Katoys" or lady-boys in and out of red-light districts. However, according to this article, Thailand is hoping to restrict the availablity of sex-change surgeries somewhat through a series of rule changes designed to promote safety.

The new rules do not seem to be unwarranted given what this article describes (men, beware for these words) a "rash of castrations" over the last two years. The basic idea behind the new rules is to give patients more time to consider whether surgery is the right option for them.

Basically, the rules are as follows:

Patients must be 18 years old and "are required to dress in women's clothing for the year before the surgery". The third requirement involves getting a psychiatrist's evaluation to ensure that getting a sex change is the right plan. Those who have long histories of "cross-dressing" would be exempted from the one-year-requirement.