Post date: May 06, 2011 9:10:47 PM
A young Thai student charms the judges with his feminine poise and takes the crown at this year's transvestite beauty contest.
PATTAYA, THAILAND (MAY 6, 2011) REUTERS - The 14th transvestite beauty pageant contest was held in Thailand's beach town of Pattaya on Friday (May 6) in search of most beautiful transvestite in the country.
There were about 30 contestants, born male, and who chose to live their lives as women. Many have undergone various operations to change their bodies. Transvestites are known as lady boys in Thailand.The transvestites, aged between 18 to 25, come from different walks of life: one is a doctor, another a pharmacist, one owns a business and others are students. The winner will represent Thailand at the "Miss Queen of the Universe" competition later this year.
The contestants put on a glamorous show in front of a panel of judges.
The requirements for the contestants are not just to look beautiful, feminine and to flash a charming smile. They also need to show that they are kind-hearted and smart.
"Beautiful, alike woman, as much as possible, smart from their answer and a good person inside" said the head judge Seri Wongmonta.
Hundreds of people came to enjoy the show at Pattaya's Tiffany theatre. The contest has been held annually since 1998.
Like any other pageant, the girls were judged on their looks, hair, make-up, wardrobe and stage-presence.
After being introduced to the judges they moved to the evening wear part of the contest - participants draped themselves in colorful satin and chiffon and dazzled the audience with diamonds.
A 21-year-old student from Chiang Mai was crowned to represent Thailand Miss Tiffany 2011. Choked with tears she said she wanted to show the world that transvestites are good people who have a lot to give to society.
"After this, I'll be representative of Miss Tiffany and be a good example for transvestite, make other people see that transvestite has talent, has good intention to show that we want to help society as much as we can," Sirapassorn Auttayakorn, Miss Tiffany 2011
The newly-crowned Miss Tiffany received 120,000 baht (3,900 U.S. dollars) in cash, a car and free gifts from beauty clinics as well as one year's free stay in a resort hotel in Pattaya. She will represent Thailand at the next international transvestite pageant contest.