soiarrai Posted May 13, 2007 Report Share Posted May 13, 2007 http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200705/s1921434.htm Thailand names most beautiful transsexual A 21-year-old student and aspiring social worker was named Thailand's most beautiful transsexual late on Friday (local time), in a pageant bursting with glitter and sequins that has become a national spectacle. In a nation obsessed with beauty pageants and renowned for its sexual tolerance, the Miss Tiffany Universe competition is taken every bit as seriously as more traditional pageants. Wearing a white beaded evening gown, Thanyarasmi Siraphatphakorn won the crown in the early hours of Saturday after a glittering competition that was broadcast on national television. Known locally as "kathoey," or the third gender, Thai transsexuals have slowly been leaving cabarets for mainstream success in music or other pursuits, helped in part by the popularity of the Miss Tiffany contest. "I am so happy to win the title. This is the biggest dream of every kathoey," Ms Siraphatphakorn told reporters after winning the tiara, a 100,000 baht ($AU3,612) cash prize and a new Mercedes Benz. The winners of the Miss Tiffany pageant, now in its 10th year, are often showered with entertainment deals, but Ms Siraphatphakorn said she wanted to return to the impoverished Issan region where she grew up to become a social worker. "I want to become a social worker," she said. "Many people, particularly in Issan, do not have many opportunities, so they need help from teachers and social workers to improve their lives." The contestants compete in evening gowns and cocktail dresses, while other kathoey performers danced in garters, fishnets and feathered head-dresses. Judges also made a nod to Thailand's political turmoil, using the question and answer segment to quiz the contestants about their hopes for the constitution currently being drafted by a military-appointed panel. Many contestants said they hoped the new charter would for the first time guarantee legal protections for gays, or that a kathoey politician would emerge to join in the process. Seri Wongmonta, a prominent academic and an organiser of the event, says the judges asked political questions to show that the contestants are more than just pretty faces. "Over the next five or 10 years, Thai kathoeys will become more and more famous for their beauty and their brains," he said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted May 13, 2007 Report Share Posted May 13, 2007 Believe me, I have taught several of the worst looking khatoeys in Thailand. One of them last year looked like "she" should be playing American football as a pro, not wearing a girl's student uniform. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neo Posted May 13, 2007 Report Share Posted May 13, 2007 In that case she'll probably be very popular on Thai TV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted May 13, 2007 Report Share Posted May 13, 2007 Prize money 3,000,000 baht and a Benz ... http://www.misstiffanyuniverse.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neo Posted May 13, 2007 Report Share Posted May 13, 2007 Photos here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted May 13, 2007 Report Share Posted May 13, 2007 Interesting how they describe them: SAO PRA PHET SAWNG ... I wonder if there is a CHAI PRA PHET SAWNG contest anywhere. p.s. The winners still look like swishy guys to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristianTroy Posted May 13, 2007 Report Share Posted May 13, 2007 Watched it 3 minutes since it was in the Royal Garden Shopping Mall and we had a steak at Sizzlers! The reason that they held this in a shopping mall probably says everything how important that sausage fest is! I have seen nothing but japanese tourists! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soiarrai Posted May 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2007 how the hell do they define beauty, I've seen more beautiful khatoeys walking round NEP, Walking Street etc... go figure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Hippie Posted May 14, 2007 Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 The Girls in Nana went nuts when She won! Cheers went up all over the Plaza...Apparently works in one of the Venues there...Local girl does good... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torneyboy Posted May 14, 2007 Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 Me as well... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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