Why This Filipina Ladyboy Dreams of Moving to Thailand

For many Filipinos, visiting another country is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. For one transgender Filipina we interviewed, traveling to Thailand became an experience that completely changed the way she viewed her future.

She spent nearly a year traveling between Thailand and Malaysia, exploring new places, meeting people from around the world, and working whenever opportunities appeared. Although she's back in Angeles City today, she still dreams of returning.

"I love to work... out of the country like Thailand."

For her, Thailand wasn't just a vacation.

It represented possibility.

Nine Years With an American Boyfriend Opened the Door

She explained that she spent nine years in a relationship with an American from Portland, Oregon.

Although the relationship ended several years ago, it gave her the opportunity to travel outside the Philippines for the first time.

Her former boyfriend helped pay for her airfare and travel expenses, allowing her to visit both Thailand and Malaysia.

Looking back, she described those years as the happiest period of her life.

"My life before was better because I had an American boyfriend."

Rather than focusing on the breakup, she spoke with gratitude for the experiences she gained through travel.

Why Thailand Left Such a Strong Impression

When asked about Thailand, she smiled immediately.

She described busy streets filled with international visitors, lively nightlife, and endless opportunities to meet people from different countries.

"There are so many tourists there."

She also noticed something else.

In her opinion, Thailand's transgender community has access to more cosmetic and medical services than many transgender women in the Philippines.

"Thai ladyboys are prettier because they have doctors and surgeons for beauty care."

She wasn't criticizing the Philippines.

She simply believed Thailand offered more options for people pursuing gender-affirming treatments.

Working While Traveling

Although she entered both Thailand and Malaysia on tourist visas, she explained that she occasionally found temporary work through people she knew.

In Kuala Lumpur, she worked part-time in a Filipina-owned beauty salon performing hair and salon services.

She also earned extra income providing massage services to regular customers.

Those experiences allowed her to support herself while continuing to travel between the two countries.

She described the salon owner as someone who treated her kindly and helped her during her stay.

Back in Angeles City, But Still Looking Forward

Today, she once again spends time around Walking Street in Angeles City.

She explained that she still enjoys walking along Fields Avenue because staying home all day becomes boring.

She also continues providing massage services for longtime regular customers.

Rather than speaking negatively about her current life, she simply admitted that she misses traveling.

If another opportunity came along, she said she would happily return to Thailand or Malaysia for work.

Looking for Love and a New Beginning

Like many of the people we've interviewed, she hopes to eventually build a life with a foreign partner.

She explained that she generally feels accepted by foreign visitors and believes many are open-minded about transgender women.

"Foreigners accept us for who we are."

One of her biggest dreams is getting married someday and eventually settling abroad.

She also hopes to adopt a child with her future partner since having biological children isn't possible.

Those goals remain part of her long-term vision for the future.

More Than a Travel Story

At first glance, this interview seems to be about Thailand.

In reality, it's about hope.

Travel showed her possibilities she hadn't imagined before.

It introduced her to new cultures, new friendships, and a different vision of what her future could become.

Today she continues working, helping herself, and waiting for another opportunity.

If it comes, she already knows where she'd like to go.

Thailand.

FAQ

Why does she want to return to Thailand?

She said she enjoyed the atmosphere, met people from around the world, and believes there are more opportunities there than in her hometown.

Did she work while visiting Thailand?

She explained that she occasionally earned income during her travels and also worked part-time in a beauty salon while staying in Malaysia.

Why does she think Thailand is different?

She believes Thailand offers greater access to beauty treatments and gender-affirming medical care, making it attractive to many transgender women.