For real though, Thailand has been ages ahead of most countries in terms of gender dynamics... how is same sex marriage only just now becoming legal there?!
At first glance I thought this article was one of those "guys... a second plane just hit the Trade Center..." types of comically delayed reporting on an event that happened decades+ prior.
A win is a win, but damn, the pace we're moving at would make a snail bored.
I saw a really interesting video essay on this topic once. The difference is in the way that gender is percieved in collectivist societies rather than the individualist societies that western societies tend to be.
In an individualist society transgender people are percieved as rebels that are in conflict with their AGAB, while in collectivist societies changing your gender to match your energy is confirming the social construct and supporting the society. still, gender non-confirming people are often seen as a threat and I guess gender plays into that.
This is all from memory though, might not apply to Thailand or is completely wrong
These things often dont move in steady paces but in waves. Every small step forward is a step towards another big step forward. Unfortunately the same goes for reactionary waves, so staying vigilant and defending our achievements is just as important.
Fingers crossed that as it normalises in Thailand it inspires change in many neighbouring countries.