Trans revolution makes Thailand a global gender-change destination

Sydney

BENY and Yael Gangian spent more than US$30,000 to help their transgender daughter Eimy complete her long-sought-for change of sexual identity. For the Israeli family, who used money saved for 18 years, borrowed from a bank and donated by family and friends, there was only one place they felt would give immediate, affordable and high-quality treatment: Thailand.

The South-east Asian nation is at the forefront of the growing practice of transgender surgery, capitalising on decades of know-how, low-cost healthcare, and a ready supply of surgeons trained to perform the male-to-female procedures.

"They have the best doctors here and I feel I can count on them," Ms Gangian said on the eve of her surgery in Bangkok in September. While the 18-year-old could have had the operation free in Israel, the surgeon wouldn't have been as experienced and she prob…