Ladyboy Cabarets might not be everyone's cup of tea but on Chaweng Beach you can enjoy a sparkling evening out with this fun form of entertainment. Thai society is generally more open to ladyboys than many other cultures, and its katoey, or the 'third sex', have played a prominent role in the nation's entertainment industry for generations. Thailand's katoey are world famous, partly because there are so many of them and also because they are so feminine. In fact it can be difficult to tell if the beautiful young lady paying you attention was a lady at birth... as many an unwitting tourist has discovered!

A typical show involves lip-synched interpretations of popular songs, complete with elaborate costumes and make-up. Some of the performances are skilfully choreographed and the tone is light-hearted, sprinkled with glitter and glitz.

Most of the cabarets in Chaweng are located near the Centara Grand Beach Resort, which makes for interesting competition before the show. The 'girls' hand out flyers and sometimes drag you in to their bar forcibly! Keep an open mind and enjoy the show!