Despite a degree of social acceptance, many transgender women in this region face severe economic disadvantages, pushing a significant number towards the sex industry. A baseline study found that a large majority of trans sex workers in Bangkok cited financial necessity as their primary reason for entering the industry. This path, however, comes with high costs. These individuals experience elevated risks of physical and sexual violence, with a significant percentage reporting abuse within the last year. Therefore, the digital or public portrayal of these women often masks a darker reality of vulnerability and economic precariousness.
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