Ladyboys' lives on and off stage in Chiang Mai

Dream, a ladyboy dancer poses before she goes on stage at the Chiang Mai Cabaret show before a performance Sept 9, 2012 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The Cabaret show is the only one in Chiang Mai, Thailand's 2nd largest city, performed daily on a stage at a small theater. Kathoeys or ladyboys are very visible, and widely accepted in Thai culture, often called the third gender. Many find employment performing for tourists in Cabaret shows while several popular Thai models, singers and movie stars are also kathoeys. The term Kathoey can refer to males who exhibit varying degrees of femininity. Most of the kathoeys dress as women and undergo medical procedures such as breast implants, hormones, silicone injections. [Photo/CFP]