Student wins Miss Tiffany Universe transgender pageant in Pattaya

The yearly pageant of the cabaret theatre Miss Tiffany Pattaya features the most beautiful transgenders and transvestites in the Kingdom. It has attracted young transgenders — from students to professionals — and has launched the career of a number of past winners.

Third year communication arts student Sirapassorn “Sammy” Auttayakorn from Bangkok's Ramkamhaeng University and Suan Dusit University bested 29 other contestants in a pageant watched by millions of Thais through a live telecast.

The first runner-up was 23-year-old student Saranrat “Nat” Chaiyakorn. The second runner-up was Tissanamadi “Gigi” Bunniyom, a fourth year costumes design student at Bangkok's Rajabhat University.

Tissanamdi, who was initially a crowd favorite, won the best in costume and Miss Photogenic special awards.

Other special award winners were Serinapa Petchaboon as Miss Unlimited Sexy Star for being the best in swimsuit, Archiraya Trithanawiboon (Miss Congeniality), Atchreechaya Tanuganurat (Most Stylish Cocktail Dress), Variny Khumpaiphuan (Miss NuRiss Beauty) and Sirapassorn Auttayakorn (Miss Silky Skin By Asoke Skin Hospital).

Miss Tiffany Universe was initiated in 1998 to promote tourism in Pattaya, Bangkok and Thailand. It has evolved into a platform for transgender men from all walks and to promote transgender and transvestites' rights.

Alisa Panthusak, assistant managing director of Tiffany's show Pattaya and chairperson of the contest said the contest is to select Thailand's representative to the Miss International Queen, dubbed as the Miss Universe of transvestites and transgenders. Reigning Miss International Queen, a Korean designer who is only known as 'Mini' also graced Miss Tiffany Universe pageant.

The Miss Tiffany Universe won a cash prize of 120,000 baht (US$4,000) and a Toyota Yaris. The first runner up won 100,000 baht (US$3,300) while the second runner up won 20,000 baht (US$750).

This year's pageant also saw a number of professional contestants such as a doctor, a flight attendant, a pharmacist, an engineer and a government civil servant.

Miss Tiffany Universe jumpstarted the career of some winners and contestants like Treechada 'Poy' Malayaporn, who is the image model of Thai mobile phone brand G-Net and has appeared in several television shows and a number of movies.

In an interview, Miss Tiffany 2011 Sirapassorn said Treechada is her inspiration because she has opened more avenues for transgender men in Thailand. Treechada has set an example to the Thais that transgenders can also make it to the mainstream entertainment industry.

This year, the contestants were also given the opportunity to design their own cocktail dresses, which was judged by New York designer Tiffany Khoury, who was in town to search to sustainable eco-fabrics from Thailand for her next collection.

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