Unlike Western binary definitions of transgender, many Thai kathoey view themselves as a separate third gender category rather than exclusively as trans women.

While "ladyboy" is a common term used in tourism and international media, it is less frequently used within Thailand itself, where kathoey is the preferred cultural term. Rubber and Latex as a Fashion Medium

The use of rubber (latex) has evolved from industrial roots into a sophisticated fashion statement within queer and performance subcultures.