Staff Writer

Once known as Kanik Suphasorn, ‘Nicky’ (now known as Kiranunt Suwannasingha) first joined PB Air as an air steward.

Sporting a clean-cut hairstyle and wearing pants, many passengers used to comment on Nicky’s feminine manner and looks. Some even asked how the airline could allow a tomboy to wear a steward’s uniform.

In a bid to deal with the situation, the airline decided to change Nicky’s job title from air steward to cabin attendant.

“I tried harder to be more masculine, but passengers still lodged complaints. So that’s when management decided it might be more appropriate if I wore a skirt like cabin attendants.”

After switching roles and changing attire, Nicky felt the time was right to switch gender by undergoing gender reassignment surgery. But to go ahead with the surgery, Nicky first needed PB Air’s approval, as well as the approval of the Institute of Aviation Medicine. This organization had to decide whether or not the operation would affect Nicky’s ability to carry out regular in-flight duties.

Once the paperwork had been rubber stamped, Nicky was ready to go under the knife and complete her transformation.

Praise from passengers
Nicky says that many passengers try to secure a date with her. Some have offered her lavish gifts, she says, but despite her popularity among male passengers, Nicky is dedicated to her sweetheart, who has loved her for who she is throughout the whole experience.

“Most passengers don’t even question my gender. Once an elderly woman even asked whether or not I wanted to enter Miss Thailand beauty pageant, offering to be my sponsor [laugh],” she said.

“Many guys have approached me, some even high-ranking officers. They even ask me if I want a car, or this or that. I just tell them I’m happy to commute by public bus!”

“While it’s nice that they have a crush on me, I’m sure they’d be thrilled if they discovered the real me,” she said.