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Virat Ruayrin has 100 children. At least her family of transvestites
and transexuals at Phuket's Simon Cabaret call her "mommy".
Khun Virat has been training cross dressing entertainment business
for 15 years. And she wouldn't want to do anything else.
"I understand these ladyboys.
They feel more comfortable living as women. They love to dress up
and entertain. They consider it an art of which they are very proud,"
she comments. "Many of my ladyboys have college degrees or
have held important posts in the government but they feel more comfortable,
more natural in this line of work."
Khun Virat has devoted her life to grooming and caring for her
100 "children". She lives with them, supervises their
make-up, designs their costumes and gives them advice when they
have trouble with their "husbands". She is also careful
to explain that her "children" are professional performers
unlike the numerous kateoys who are transvestite sex workers that
are seen in Patong
Beach and Karon
Beach beer bars.
Phuket
Simon Cabaret opened in Phuket in 1991 and was an instant success,
especially with Asians from neighboring countries where cross dressing
is illegal. Each night, more than 1000 customers line up to see
one of the most spectacular stage shows in Asia.
There are a minimum of two shows per night. The theater holds 250
VIP and 300 standard seats which are always full. There's a great
view of the spectacular costumes and sets from every location.
The opening show has a Thai theme with grand temple ruins which
remind the audience of the long history of the region. Graceful
kinnarees, or mythical creatures that are part bird and part female
move to traditional Thai dances.
Khun Virat has designed 21 different sets and shows which she rotates
depending on her audience. For group tours from China, she presents
her stunning Chinese themed temple act where elegant dancers float
around stage in bright red and gold costumes.
As the majority of the audience comes from Asia, she has also included
classical performances from Korea, Japan, and Taiwan in their native
languages and costumes which further delights the audience.
An evening at Phuket Simon Cabaret turns any adult into a child
full of wonder. In quick succession, shows themes change from Egyptian
with dancers coming out of a 10 metre high head of a Pharoah, to
the latest saucy, sexy Latin beat with a Gloria Estevan look-a-like
lip-synching the action.
"We train every night for two hours after the shows. Sometimes
we sit and watch the latest music videos and make notes on dance
choreography or costumes," explains Khun Virat. "I fly
to Hong
Kong to research costumes and materials for the set designs.
It's important that we create authentic costumes, sets and dances
that are enhanced by staging and lighting."
An evening at Phuket Simon Cabaret is great fun. There are so many
things to enjoy. First, the audience is amazed at how beautiful
the performers are even know they have been warned that they are
not really females. And then there's the variety of beautiful sets
and costumes which compete with a Las Vegas show.
“Many people ask me if my "children" are really
female. I tell them that about 80 per cent of my ladyboys have had
the required surgery to turn them into women. They have every function
except the ability to give birth. I find they are much happier once
they've made the transformation into what they feel they really
are," finishes Khun Virat.
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