http://sg.news.yahoo.com/afp/20080531/tts-lifestyle-thailand-gay-pageant-5b8313a.html

Sunday, June 1, 2008

PATTAYA, Thailand (AFP) - - A teenage transvestite who grew up on a
military base was crowned Thailand's most beautiful transvestite
late Friday, in an extravagant annual pageant which transfixed the
nation.

Kangsadarn Wongdusadeekul, known by her stage name "Nonk," cried as
she accepted her Miss Tiffany crown from last year's winner.

Nonk, 19, particularly impressed the panel of judges with her
question round.

Asked if she would be happy to join the army as a man, she told the
audience: "Last year I went to register as a soldier but my figure
had changed so the government did not let me.

"We are beautiful -- so we have no need to be soldiers," she said,
getting the biggest laugh of the night.

Her win brings considerable financial reward: 100,000 baht (3,200 US
dollars) -- equivalent to a year's wages for a factory worker -- and
a Honda car.

But with the cost of a single pageant dress at least 10,000 baht,
winning Miss Tiffany is about more than the prizes.

Most of the 30 transvestites parading across the glitter-filled
stage said they were seeking social acceptance rather than money.

Nonk says she is lucky to have been accepted by her family as her
father is a colonel in the Thai army.

Nonk told AFP after the contest that she had known she wanted to be
a girl from a very young age, and her military family were so
understanding they now tell friends she is their daughter. They keep
few photos of Nonk as a boy.

"They said I can be whatever I want to be so long as I take care of
myself and other people," she said.

Miss Tiffany 2008 was crowned in a sold-out 2,000-seater theatre,
and televised nationally.

The runners-up were Pailin "Bank" Denfhanapapol and Doolkamon
"Golf" Kontun, with awards also given for Miss Congeniality and Miss
Photogenic.

The event has become increasingly high profile, with winners forging
careers as television presenters and as the faces of beauty products.

Miss Tiffany will now advance to the global competition, Miss
International Queen, to be held here in October.