POON

The Thai Transvestite Dancer

  JOHN WILLIAMS first wrote in TV Scene about the incredible transvestite dancers he encountered in the Thai resort of Pattaya. Later, he returned to the resort and spent a day on the company of Poon, one of the prettiest dancers of the large 'Simon' transvestite cabaret, which attracts hundreds of tourists every night.

  Pattaya is a seaside resort about 3 hours drive from Bangkok, and one of the main tourist attractions is the big transvestite cabarets, particularly the Simon and the Alcazar.

  Each has 40-60 dancers, all boys, most dressed as beautful girls. The cabarets are family shows: tasteful and glamorous. There are three sittings each evening, starting around 7pm and end at around 11.30pm. Coaches tour the big hotels to convey tourists to them and most sittings are packed out.

  "I first saw Poon on my second visit to Pattaya - many of the boys look amazing as girls, but Poon was perhaps the prettiest and most feminine of the all. He also conveyed on stage how much he enjoyed the glamour of the cabaret, and the gaze and admiration of the audience. I was entranced, but I was told that he had a boyfriend, and my efforts to see him after the show failed.

  On my next visit however we became friends very quickly. His English was limited so our conversations were slow, but he was lovely to be with: delicate, affectionate and happy. Now 19, he had started dressing when he was about 12 or 13, and had lived full time as a girl since soon after leaving school at 15. At 16, he came to Pattaya to join the cabaret: it was the fulfilment of his dream. Now he is able to send money back home to his family in Bangkok. He visits them regularly and they fully accept him in his new lifestyle; they also periodically visit Pattaya to see him in the cabaret.
  When I met them I was struck by the pride they took in his beauty, in the glamour of his clothes and make-up, and in the fact that he was one of the stars of the show. Poon Clearly loves living as a girl. He is on hormones and considering whether or not to have the operation. He delights in pretty clothes and took great pride in showing me his dresses and lingerie: he adores silk and lace. 

  He loves going shopping and visiting the hairdresser - when we visited a dress shop, the assistants recognised him as one of the stars of the show but enjoyed helping him select various dresses and skirts to try on. As they helped him into one of the outfits, one of the girls commented on the silk lace-trimmed teddy he was wearing and asked where he had bought it.

  I enjoyed his blush and shy smile as he answered her.

  I relished my time with Poon, being able to share his delight in his femininity, and the attention he attracts both as a girl on the streets and as a performer in the show.

  I particularly enjoyed sharing his pleasure in his own appearance as he looked in the mirror. Perhaps the loud applause he received at the end of a show was like a mirror too?"

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