Transvestite got rash treatment from police
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Sarawut Suparb, a 19-year-old transvestite, was arrested and fined for putting on a lewd show during the recent Songkran celebrations in Ayutthaya.
He climbed on a pickup, danced and took off his top, showing his bare breasts, sparking a
public outcry.
But, the question now is, are transvestites legally male or female? If, despite breast implants, Sarawut remains a male, then the cops, to be consistent, should start with, for example, arresting every topless male on the beaches at Pattaya, Phuket, etc – a move that would make headlines around the world – or return Sarawut’s fine and publicly apologise for their inability to tell male from female.
On the other hand, if, having done all he medically can to be female, Sarawut is considered a female, then the logical consequence is to fine her for indecent exposure – and allow transvestites all the legal rights of women, such as marriage to one who’s legally a male, admittance to women’s sports and potential recruitment as a policewoman.
Dear cops, you can’t interpret the law one way one day and the other way the next, including in defining gender.
Burin Kantabutra
Bangkok
