Medical council to decide on sex change criterion

Those aged 18-20 seeking to have their testicles removed, however, need to obtain parental permission and submit themselves to a one-year transition period of living as a woman, Dr Itthiporn Khanacharoen, assistant to the council's secretary-general, said yesterday.

They also need to undergo assessments by two psychologists, he said.

During the transition, which would allow the applicant to see the impacts of sex change to his life at home and at work, the applicant would be cared for by an endocrinology specialist to prepare his body for the gender reorientation operation.

The regulation would be implemented one month after publication in the Royal Gazette.

This regulation would protect those wanting a sex change by bringing everything up to the same standard including medical facilities, treatment and post-procedure care, Itthiporn said.

The council would also discuss at its meeting issuing a regulation to control body piercing and tattooing because substandard procedures could harm people. Particularly sensitive parts such as nipples and lips could become infected and decay, he added.