File photo shows Topmonthawan "Gina" Boonchalee (right) a member of Venus Flytrap, a "ladyboy" band modeled after the Spice Girls in Bangkok. New Thai health regulations have been introduced to regulate sex changes among teenage boys after health authorities became alarmed by stories about underage boys being castrated as the first step toward gender reassignment surgery (AFP/File/Saeed Khan)

Thai health officials have banned doctors from performing castrations, pending an ethics review of complaints about minors undergoing the operation as the first step toward a sex change. (AFP/File/Saeed Khan)

Thailand's Boonthung Srisung exults after his victory in Men's 1500 meter of the 24th Southeast Asian Games (SEA games) in Korat. Thailand got off to a flying start in the SEA Games athletics with six gold medals Friday, and also remained on course to defend the coveted football title.
(AFP/Saeed Khan)

Thousands of pro-democracy protestors listen and watch a speech recorded in London by Thailand's ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra on screens at Sanum Luang in Bangkok. Thaksin urged the military government on Friday to press ahead with new elections, in a videotaped address shown to thousands of his supporters at an anti-coup rally.(AFP/Saeed Khan)

Holland forward Kuyt Dirk (R) vies for the ball with Thailand's defender Jetsada Jitsawad during an Asian Cup warm-up match at Rajamangala stadium in Bangkok. Thailand were given plenty to think about before next month's Asian Cup campaign after a quality Netherlands side coasted to a 3-1 victory in their international friendly.(AFP/Saeed Khan)

Thai employees stay outside their high rise office building following a powerful earthquake that was felt in Bangkok. A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.1 struck western Laos near the border with Thailand on Wednesday, sending people fleeing buildings and running for cover as far away as Bangkok and Hanoi.(AFP/Saeed Khan)

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, right, along with his Thai counterpart Surayud Chulanont, left, inspects guard of honour at the Government House in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, Feb. 12, 2007. Badawi who arrived here on Sunday discussed bilateral and regional issues with Thai high officials. (AP Photo/Saeed Khan, Pool)

A Thai vendor selling 10 Baht (0.27 USD) meals wait for customers at the back of a luxury hotel where six Michelin three-star chefs prepare a 11-course gala dinner, which the hosts claim is the most expensive ever held in Asia-Pacific, in Bangkok. Some of the world's finest chefs are putting the final touches to a feast of caviar, truffles and vintage wine in Bangkok that -- at 29,000 USD a head -- is strictly for the mega-rich. Photo:Saeed Khan/AFP

Thailand's Suree Sukha(L) and Hadthporn Suwan(R) fight for ball with Singapore's Mohd Shahril Bin Ishak during the first half of the second leg final of the Asean Championship in Bangkok. A stunning strike from substitute Khairul Amri nine minutes from full time handed Singapore the Asean football championship title as they ground out a 1-1 draw with Thailand for a 3-2 aggregate win.(AFP/Saeed Khan)