Foot worship, or foot fetishism, is a form of fetishism that involves a strong attraction to feet. While foot fetishism is practiced globally, it has a distinct cultural significance in Thailand, particularly among the ladyboy community. Ladyboys, also known as kathoey, are individuals assigned male at birth but identify as female or a mix of both. Thailand has a large and visible ladyboy population, with estimates suggesting that up to 1 million people identify as kathoey.
This study employed a qualitative approach, involving in-depth interviews and observations with 20 ladyboys in Bangkok, Thailand. Participants were recruited through snowball sampling and online advertisements. Interviews were conducted in Thai and transcribed verbatim, with thematic analysis used to identify patterns and themes.
This study has several limitations, including a small sample size and limited generalizability to other contexts. Future research should aim to expand on this study, exploring the intersection of foot fetishism and identity in other cultural contexts.
