Sexual reassignment surgery is not currently covered by any health care system in Thailand. The Sister's Hand foundation is a private organization that was set up to provide a small number of transgenders with the necessary funding for full surgery. Photos by Somchai Poomlard.
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Transgenders gather at the headquarters of the TransFemale Association of Thailand to compete for a place under the Sister's Hand foundation.
The foundation offers free gender reassignment surgery to those who cannot afford the operation.
Started in 2010, this is the second year of the project. There are only five places available as each operation costs approximately 100,000 baht. Almost 100 people applied.
Former Miss Alcazar, Yollada Krirkkong, president of the TransFemale Association of Thailand claims that outside of Thailand sexual reassignment surgery is, in some cases, covered by health care plans. However in Thailand this is not the case. This led to the introduction of the Sister's Hand foundation which provides hope to those who cannot afford to fund the operation themselves.
To be eligible for surgery, transgenders must first pass a series of tests. Each candidate must have approval from both a psychiatrist and a hormone specialist, following which they must have lived as a woman for at least 12 months.
Tatsalangwa-on Meesuk was one of the first to receive free sexual reassignment surgery under the project. She returned to the event to talk about how it has changed her life.
Another previous recipient said that she felt so glad to have been selected. She was so glad. It feels as if she were reborn. In the past, she suffered every day. Once she got selected, she had no hesitation or fear. She was not scared to be hurt. Even if she had to die, she would go through with the operation. She wanted to be a woman in full.
During the event members of the Alcazar Pattaya cabaret group put on a performance to lighten the mood. Photos by Somchai Poomlard.
