An unusual row has broken out in Thailand after a Buddhist monk was pictured fondling a topless worshipper 's breasts . The image was posted on Facebook last week and has since been viewed by hundreds of thousands of people - many of whom were angry at the celibate monk breaking a key vow . But the woman in the photo has now come forward to say she was born a man , and therefore believes the monk is completely innocent . Furore : The image of a monk fondling a worshipper 's breasts in Thailand was seen by hundreds of thousands of people online - and prompted a debate over whether transgender people count as women in Buddhism . She was interviewed by Thailand 's Morning News , where she was quoted as saying she had undergone hormone therapy which enlarged her breasts . She had not undergone gender reassignment surgery or received breast implants . A person born in a woman 's body would never have been able to get so close to a monk in Buddhist culture and would never dream of doing so , she told the news channel . According to her account the monk , from a temple in Cambodia , had led a blessing ceremony at her family home in Bangkok which involved writing messages on the bodies of the faithful . The men reportedly had the messages inscribed on their chests , while the women had the same symbols written on their foreheads . Because the worshipper considered it acceptable to present her gender as male , she was happy to join the rest of the men for the ritual . But that was not enough for many commenters online - who insisted the ritual was inappropriate no matter what the gender of the worshipper . Identified only as Thanradaporn , the worshipper said she felt guilty about the reaction the photo had , saying : ' I feel that I 've damaged the monk ’ s reputation ' . Different culture : Thailand has a tradition of kathoeys , also known as ladyboys - the definition of which varies hugely . Kathoeys are often considered a 'third gender ' and are due to receive legal protection ( file photo ) The monk was reportedly from a temple in Cambodia 's Oddar Meanchey province , where he and others follow a strict doctrine in which they avoid all contact with women . Monks swear a vow of celibacy in order to learn more about themselves and come closer to enlightenment . Ideas about gender have historically been more fluid than other countries in Thailand , where there is a long tradition of kathoeys , also known as ladyboys . The broad term can describe effeminate men , those who dress as women , those who define themselves as women or those who have undergone a sex change . Kathoeys are also seen by many as a third gender , not simple enough to class simply as 'male ' or 'female ' . Despite being popular in cabaret shows kathoeys have very few legal rights , and Thai politicians proposed earlier this year to recognise people with alternative sexualities legally for the first time . If approved it is thought the draft constitution will ban discrimination on the basis of gender and sexuality - putting Thailand ahead of more than 30 U.S. states and much of the rest of the world .
Unusual row broke out online after blessing ceremony in Thailand . Image shared on social media showing monk apparently breaking vow . Worshipper involved has come forward - and insists monk did no harm . He was writing messages on men 's chests so she took part , she said . She had not yet undergone gender reassignment and thought it was OK .