Life behind bars for Thailand's transgender women

Transgender women who have gone through sex change surgery sleep in a separate cell at the female zone of the Pattaya Remand Prison.

(EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRIT)More than 6,000 of Thailand's 300,000 incarcerated people are registered sexual minorities, the Associated Press reports. Of Pattaya Remand Prison's more than 4,000 inmat

A group of female transgender inmates prepare to enter their separate cell at the female zone of the Pattaya Remand Prison.

(EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRIT)

Female transgender prisoners practice walking meditation with others female inmates.

(EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRIT)There are, however, some holes in the system: Transgender inmates who haven't had surgery must remain in the sector matching their biological sex, which means many transg

A transgender woman in the male zone of the Pattaya Remand Prison.

(EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRIT)

Female transgender inmates wash prisoners' uniforms as part of their daily work in the male zone.

(EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRIT)

Female transgender inmates chant before entering their separate cell at the female zone of the Pattaya Remand Prison.

(EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRIT)

A female transgender inmate offers beauty services to other prisoners at a salon inside the female zone of the Pattaya Remand Prison.

(EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRIT)

Female transgender inmates play volleyball at the male zone of the Pattaya Remand Prison.

(EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRIT)

A group of female transgender inmates (right) learn embroidery with women prisoners as part of their job skills learning at the Pattaya Remand Prison.

(EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRIT)

The male zone of the Pattaya Remand Prison.

(EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRIT)

A female prison officer executes body checks on female transgender inmates before entering separate cells at the female zone of the Pattaya Remand Prison.

(EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRIT)

A female transgender inmate drinks water at a separate cell in the female zone of the Pattaya Remand Prison.

(EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRIT)