Ladyboys too hot to handle

From immigration questions to worries about social acceptance, many airline executives show they are not ready to hire the third gender.

Published: 21/12/2011 at 04:03 AM
Newspaper section: Business

While the start-up carrier PC Air has defied an industry norm by hiring four transsexuals as flight attendants, more established airlines in Thailand are reluctant to follow suit.

The four ladyboy flight attendants for PC Air, which plans to launch its inaugural flight on Dec 24. BOONSONG KOSITCHOTETHANA

Senior executives of several leading carriers, who spoke to the Bangkok Post on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the matter, were not quite ready to bring the third gender on board.

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About the author

: Writer: Boonsong Kositchotethana; Position: Deputy Editor Business

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barryw
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Discussion 9 : 23/12/2011 at 08:44 AM9
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Only in Thailand would an actress, in this case 'Nong Film', regard becoming a waitress (albeit on a plane) as a step up. Anywhere else, waitresses are trying to step up to something else. Like becoming an actress.
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jaidee
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Discussion 8 : 21/12/2011 at 03:37 PM8
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Seems perfectly normal here in Thailand. I watched the Television interview of the four ladies and they presented themselves well. Good marketing and possibly good attitude by owner in offering an opportunity to people maligned by social stigma far to long.
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Merlin
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Discussion 7 : 21/12/2011 at 03:20 PM7
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What third gender? They are men dressed as ladies.
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smiles999
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Discussion 6 : 21/12/2011 at 03:13 PM6
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Hi, # filippogirl sure, it is service that matters. And as we will be flying 30,000+ ft, ensure that they are trained for all the emergencies.
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bowman
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Discussion 5 : 21/12/2011 at 02:28 PM5
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I agree its all about the service and anyway what is so different about this to being served by openly gay male attendants that there have been on many airlines for years?
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musang
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Discussion 4 : 21/12/2011 at 10:08 AM4
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I think it does not matter much but it will deffinately not bring in more business because of them being employed, it all depend on the price of tickets against others.
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flippogirl
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Discussion 3 : 21/12/2011 at 09:21 AM3
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Excuse me? This is a service industry. It doesn't matter who provides the service as long as it's done well.

Personally, I won't care if the flight attentend serving me is a man, woman, gay, ladyboy or tomboy, as long as I get good service.
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Gordy

Discussion 2 : 21/12/2011 at 08:31 AM2
Good for them for shaking things up. Seems the (pardon the pun) ballsy thing to do when starting a business. Too many companies are sooo scared and so busy triple guessing themselves that they never advance. I have a lovely family including an overseas educated thai wife and we both feel we'd have no problem flying this airline.
from iPhone application.
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crunchy
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Discussion 1 : 21/12/2011 at 07:18 AM1
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"A lot of our passengers, especially conservative Thais with families, may shun flying with us."

correct! Strict(muslim) countries will not accept them.
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Ladyboys too hot to handle | Bangkok Post: business