Thai transgender lecturer sues university

A Thai transgender lecturer has sued a university for not hiring her based on her sexual orientation, the media reported on Tuesday.

Kath Khangpiboon and her lawyer Nakhon Chompoochart brought the case to the court on Monday, alleging Thammasat University in Bangkok and its screening committee violated her human rights, The Bangkok Post reported.

Kath said her case would raise public awareness of gender equity and human rights.

She passed a written exam after she had applied for the post of a lecturer at Thammasat's faculty of social administration in June 2014.

However, in March 2015, the university's screening committee cancelled her application, accusing her of improper behavious and used inappropriate language on social media that could negatively affect her image as a lecturer.

Meanwhile, Udom Ratamarit, Thammasat's deputy dean for human resources administration, said Kath has the right to file a complaint with the court. He denied the committee's decision had anything to do with her sexual orientation.

Thailand is one of the most tolerant Asian countries with regard to homosexuality. Both male and female same-sex sexual activities are considered legal.