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26 Jan 2011

New Thai airline recruits transsexuals as flight attendants

Thai media reported yesterday that a new Thai-based airline has hired three transsexual flight attendants among its first batch of 30 new hires.

It might well be a public relations exercise but it's still a step in the right direction.

Miss Tiffany 2007 winner Thanyarat "Film" Jiraphatpakorn is one of the airlines three newly hired transsexual flight attendants.

Thai media reported yesterday that a new Thai-based airline P.C. Air has hired three transsexual flight attendants – the company's initial quota – alongside 17 cisgender women and 10 men among its first batch of 30 new hires. Among the three is Miss Tiffany 2007 transsexual beauty pageant winner Thanyarat "Film" Jiraphatpakorn.

The 23-year-old was quoted as saying: "At first I thought they would just take applications but not actually recruit us, as happened at other places before."

The company had recently conducted a roadshow accepting applications from "third sex" candidates, who have to check the "unisex" column in the application form, at Bangkok's Esplanade shopping mall.

An airline spokesperson was quoted as saying that the company recognises the potential of transsexuals to work as hostesses and hopes to offer equal opportunities to them. He explained that after passing the preliminary round, the transsexual candidates will undergo training along with female air-hostesses and will have a 'third sex' name tag pinned to their uniform to avoid immigration issues.

Despite their high profile in Thailand, transsexuals are unable to change their legal status, and often report that they are still stereotyped and are often unable to find work outside the entertainment and beauty industry.

The airline plans to launch flights on March 1.

Thailand

Reader's Comments

1. 2011-01-26 18:43  
Wow! This is really some cool news! Love it!
2. 2011-01-26 19:41  
Respect for the airline company
3. 2011-01-26 20:07  
ya our local maybank also employ them. good
4. 2011-01-26 21:07  
She's actually quite pretty too :) Love thai airways. and the massages for business/first class passengers :)
Comment #5 was deleted by its author on 2011-01-27 15:08
6. 2011-01-26 21:43  
Salutes for progression =)
7. 2011-01-26 21:43  
it's about time... been to thailand 4 times in the past 2 years... always on thai air... mostly because they are a star alliance partner... but now i'm glad to be supporting the lgbt community with every ticket purchased ;~)
8. 2011-01-26 21:57  
wow.. it's really awesome
9. 2011-01-26 22:18  
So awesome. After all those rejections those brave "women" had to go through... They pave a better way for the next generations of all LGBT people for equal rights - and just people in general who works hard for what they deserved! They should get awards for all the uncanny spirits and determination!!! Well-done!
10. 2011-01-26 23:00  
way to go!! very good move! the management deserve a pat on the back! ;D
11. 2011-01-26 23:21  
defco69, it's not Thai air. This airline has yet to start flying.
12. 2011-01-27 00:20  
WOW! First the moon. Now this. Another step forward for mankind.
13. 2011-01-27 00:46  
this is awesome.... hope they will hire a fligth attendants in philippines as well.
Comment #14 was deleted by its author on 2011-08-21 18:15
15. 2011-01-27 02:27  
She's gorgeous! :)
16. 2011-01-27 02:37  
I'm absolutely bowled over, way to go PC Air!
17. 2011-01-27 04:39  
This is great demonstration of respect for people.
18. 2011-01-27 04:58  
Brings new meaning to "Air Tran"
19. 2011-01-27 05:07  
I see this as a LARGE step forward. I have no idea which routes PC Air intends to fly. However, should any of their routes coincide with my travel plans this factor will tip my selection process in their favor.
20. 2011-01-27 05:52  
You know, I really, really don't care What sexual identity or label someone has, just as long as they're the right person in the right job, and doing what They want to do.

So, if 'Film' and friends want to work for the airline in these roles, good for them, and I wish them well, just as I don't care if they wanted to flip burgers in McDonalds or become the local Minister for Fisheries.

As long as they're doing the job that They want to do, AND that nobody tries to stop them, based on Just their label, well, Good luck to them, I say...
21. 2011-01-27 06:02  
Glad to see news like this!!!!!!!!!!! congratulations!!!
22. 2011-01-27 07:06  
great news... but they're called PC air right, and they are PC too...
and they start flying 1st March? Surely they're a month out?
First route Bangkok to Uranus maybe...
23. 2011-01-27 08:26  
wow this is great.... whoever got this idea is for sure, a man with a high sense of fairness!!! keep it up!!!
24. 2011-01-27 09:07  
it was a big news on thai TV yesterday.
congratulation PC Air:)

more info in thai website...

http://women.sanook.com/สาวประเภทสองมีเฮ-พี.ซี.แอร์-สานฝันเปิดรับนางฟ้าเพศที่-3-931951.html

may all of your dreams come true..
keep dreaming...
everything is possible and limitless:)

PS: hope to see gay TV, gay hotel, and gay airline
in bkk soon:)
Comment edited on 2011-01-27 09:14:31
25. 2011-01-27 09:44  
I wana really say Big thanks THAILAND!!!!
I'm so happy born to be thai people,Bcoz they it open and okay have gay ,Tomboy,lesbain in family....if you are good people.
Thaipeople is Kindheart ,Flexible,Friendly bra......
If you come to Thailand and learn culture ,people,tuch ,You will love THAILAND.I believe it.^^

Thanks.
Win.


26. 2011-01-27 09:47  
that's good. :)
27. 2011-01-27 10:37  
Well done, I hope in the future all the country can get legally of the different sexuality equally treated and also don't have anymore judge mental issues. This article news really a good chance to let the society know about it. Even how different sexuality we are but we all still a human being. Must respect each other.
Comment #28 was deleted by its author on 2011-08-21 18:15
Comment #29 was deleted by its author on 2011-01-27 11:28
30. 2011-01-27 11:29  
This is awesome..................coffee,tea,he or she !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
31. 2011-01-27 12:41  
Drag no longer! :D
32. 2011-01-27 12:50  
Everyone should support this airline.
33. 2011-01-27 13:13  
Yes i agree with musluvdog :D Everyone from Fridae shoudl support this airline :D
34. 2011-01-27 13:29  
for those that are thanking thai airlines..its not them its a NEW THAI airline...it would be great if the star aliiance thai airline hired them too
35. 2011-01-27 15:18  
branceral26 is correct... it's not thai airways.. it's p.c. air. but
many major and regional air carriers have transgender employees
they just don't go to the news media to promote the airline.
yes, it's a step in the right direction but please explaine to me
"a third sex" name tag pinned to there uniform... so as to avoid
problems with immigration " what is that all about . F/A's fly
with there passports and gender is marked m or f. i saw
thanyarant when she won "miss tiffany" and she is sure to
become a valued employee with p.c. air..
36. 2011-01-27 15:26  
I sincerely hope that the transsexual flight attendants can be treated just like any human beings , and not as an attraction because of who they are. Exchange smiles with them and not stare at them on board. They are pretty to look at, but do not deserve any stare with ill attention. They deserve a smile in return for good service rendered on board.
37. 2011-01-27 15:38  
希望作为乘客的朋友,别用另类的眼光来看待他们。 既然他们有这份勇气出来工作,我们应该给他们机会,在工作上表现一番。为我们在机上服务,他们已做到了,我们也可以接受他们,以我们的笑容来答谢他们的勤奋服务。
38. 2011-01-27 16:54  
I know they will be the most competent members of the cabin crew as their natural charm and physical beauty will shine thru.Hopefully as "trailblazers" they will open employment opportunities for others.Thai Air will surely follow......
39. 2011-01-27 17:34  
it probably only be the service in First Class on the Silk Skyways, but its great news and will certainly give Singapore Airlines some social pressures, but to be frank the women on Singapore Airlines these days already look like trannies -- what's up with that? they are kinda slipping... but thank god for the hot men stewards of Singapore and Thai Airways, you know who u r
40. 2011-01-27 17:39  
//please explaine to me "a third sex" name tag pinned to there uniform... so as to avoid problems with immigration " what is that all about. F/A's fly with there passports and gender is marked m or f.//

Many countries (including Thailand) do not legally recognise transsexuals/ transgender people. So, a male-to-female transsexual's passport may still state 'male'. Now if you were an immigration officer, would you not find it odd that a person who looks like a woman presents you with a passport that states she's 'male'? This of course would be a great opportunity for said individuals to be harassed/abused an 'unfriendly' immigration officer...
41. 2011-01-27 17:48  
in other news, the guy I dated and dumped a couple of months ago, is insecure about his appearance and told me he will get plastic surgery tomorrow, gosh-- I am trying to talk him out of it, dont you know looks have nothing really to do with compatibility issues... what is with so many gay men and friends under going the knife these days?

I know I am blessed with great DNA and don't need to even comb my hair to look good these days, but its crazy what people are doing and going through to look great

too much pressure to be perfect that's why I dont mind hanging out with my straight friends these days and drinking a few beers

on the other hand, my older brother is a plastic surgeon and his business is booming and he drives a nicer car than I do...

maybe its time for me to get a little lipo?
42. 2011-01-27 18:40  
Wow!Its a great progress.
43. 2011-01-28 10:41  
I'm thinking #41 has lost the plot?
Comment #44 was deleted by its author on 2011-08-21 18:15
45. 2011-01-28 15:36  
Thumbs up! I would support this airline whenever possible. Rare opportunity to learn they are admitted to reputated, respected and high profile jobs other than working in back lanes, incident, etc. Only concern, I hope they are easy target for sexual harrasement on board, particularly from those dirty hetrosexual.
46. 2011-01-31 10:31  
I can only imagine life as a transgender must be extremely hard. So salute to PC Air for providing equal opportunity. I wish all the best of luck for the rest of trans people who is seeking for better life.
47. 2011-01-31 10:42  
THAILAND!! BRAVO!!
48. 2011-02-01 03:18  
Great thing that we will see our sisters in a workplace like this... Finally, they have an option... and not merely end up in the streets of Pattaya, Patpong, etc. Great job, PC Air... I will fly with PC Air next time I go around Thailand :-)
49. 2011-02-02 03:51  
OMG...this is great news...go gals!! Don't give up! Thanks lord I have natural beauty with me...I'm crazy in love right now=)
50. 2011-02-06 02:53  
My,my...Ms Jiraphatpakorn is GORGEOUS!!! ;)
Truth be told, I wouldn't mind a gf like her...
51. 2011-02-06 13:51  
Everyone deserves an equal chance ! Good for the gals and a pat on the airline. All the best. Cheers !

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