Miss Tiffany's Universe
| Formation | 1998 |
|---|---|
| Type | Beauty pageant |
| Headquarters | Pattaya |
| Location | |
Official language | Thai |
| Website | www.misstiffanyuniverse.com |
Miss Tiffany's Universe (Thai: มิสทิฟฟานี่ยูนิเวิร์ส) is a beauty contest with transgender contestants, held in mid-May, in Pattaya in the Kingdom of Thailand. It has taken place annually since 2004.[1][2][3]
The contest is opened to all ladyboys (Kathoey) who may or may not have gone through sex reassignment surgery.[4] Ladyboy is a commonly used term in Thailand to describe effeminate gay male or transgender women. Each contestant is also required to pay an entrance fee of 5,000 baht (~140 USD) upon entering the pageant.[4] Each year, about 100 candidates from across Thailand apply to take part in the pageant. All contestants need to have Thai nationality and be between the age of 18 and 25. Contestants under the age of 20 are required to obtain parental permission in order to be eligible for the contest.[5] Contestants come from a variety of professional backgrounds, including university students, doctors, engineers, pharmacisst, etc.[6] Once chosen to participate in the pageant, the contestants are judged based on physical attributes and overall performance in accordance to the feminine ideal.[7]
The winners of Miss Tiffany’s Universe receive cash prices, crowns, trophies, jewelries and other gifts from sponsoring companies. In 2016, the winner, first and second runner-up will receive 120,000 baht (~3,300 USD), 100,000 baht (~2,800 USD) and 70,000 baht (~1,900 USD) respectively. Aside official titleholders, other special awards including Miss Photogenic, Miss Sexy Star, Miss Congeniality and Miss Popular Vote are also given to several chosen contestants. These contestants are presented with 15,000 baht (~410 USD) to 20,000 baht (~550 USD) in addition to gifts from sponsoring companies.[8]
The Miss Tiffany’s Universe contest held once a year is receiving more attention especially since it is broadcast live on National Thai television with an average of 15 million viewers. Thailand uses this pageant to promote Pattaya as a resort city and to improve Pattaya’s image abroad.
Tiffany’s Show also take part into charity events for the less fortunate within the local community and to support The Royal Sponsored AIDS Foundation; a charity program. The goal of this contest is to promote the rights and equality and improve the quality of life for transgender communities in Thailand. The pageant is also a source of significant income and open up many opportunities for economic growth to the pageant contestants.[6]
Titleholders
Color key
- Declared as Winner
- Ended as Runner-up
- Ended as one of the top Semi-Finalists
| Year | Miss Tiffany's Universe |
Hometown | Placement | Special awards and Continental Queen | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Sopida Siriwattananukoon | TBA | 2nd Runner Up | Miss Ripleys Popular World | |
| 2014 | Nitsa Katrahong | Prachuab Khiri Khan | 1st Runner-up | Miss Photogenic, Best National Costume | |
| 2013 | Nethnapada Kanrayanon | Samut Prakan | 2nd Runner-up | Miss Photogenic | |
| 2012 | Panvilas Mongkol | Bangkok | 2nd Runner-up | ||
| 2011 | Sirapassorn Atthayakorn | Chiang Mai | Miss International Queen 2011 | Miss Perfect Skin By Asoke Skin Hospital | |
| 2010 | Nalada Thamthanakorn | Bangkok | Top 10 Semi-Finalist | Best Evening Gown | |
| 2009 | Sorawee Nattee | Songkhla | Top 10 Semi-Finalist | Best National Costume | |
| 2008 | Kangsadal Wongdutsadeekul | Kanchanaburi | 1st Runner-up | Miss Photogenic | |
| 2007 | Thanyarat Jiraphatpakorn | Maha Sarakham | Miss International Queen 2007 | ||
| 2006 | Ratravee Jirapraphakul | ? | 2nd Runner-up | ||
| 2005 | Tiptantree Rujiranon | ? | 2nd Runner-up | ||
| 2004 | Treechada Petcharat | Phang Nga | Miss International Queen 2004 | Best Swimwear | |
| Representatives at Miss Queen of the Universe | |||||
| 2003 | Pantawan Jaruwatthananukul | ? | |||
| 2002 | Thanyaporn Aunyasiri | ? | Miss Queen of the Universe 2002 | Miss Congeniality | |
| 2001 | Piyathida Sakulthai | ? | |||
| 2000 | Chanya Moranon | ? | Miss Queen of the Universe 2000 | Best National Costume | |
| 1999 | Phatreeya Siri-ngamwong | ? | Miss Queen of the Universe 1999 | Best Evening Gown | |
| 1998 | Thanakorn Wongprasert | ? | |||
By number of provinces
| Provinces | Titles | Winning Years |
|---|---|---|
| Bangkok | 2 | 2010, 2012 |
| Prachuap Khiri Khan | 1 | 2014 |
| Samut Prakan | 1 | 2013 |
| Chiang Mai | 1 | 2011 |
| Songkhla | 1 | 2009 |
| Kanchanaburi | 1 | 2008 |
| Maha Sarakham | 1 | 2007 |
| Phang Nga | 1 | 2004 |
| Unknown | 8 | 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006 |
By Geographical regions
| Regions | Best Performance |
|---|---|
| Bangkok Metropolitan | 3 title(s) won by Bangkok(2), Samut Prakan(1) |
| Central | 0 title(s) won by |
| Western | 2 title(s) won by Kanchanaburi(1), Prachuap Khiri Khan(1) |
| Northern | 1 title(s) won by Chiang Mai(1) |
| Southern | 2 title(s) won by Songkhla(1), Phang Nga(1) |
| Eastern | 0 title(s) won by |
| Northeastern | 1 title(s) won by Maha Sarakham(1) |
| Unknown | 8 title(s) |
See also
References
- ↑ Thai transvestites compete in Miss Tiffany Universe - Telegraph
- ↑ Miss Tiffany's Universe 2012 | Bangkok Post: multimedia
- ↑ Miss Tiffany's Universe 2011 in Pictures - Pattaya Mail
- 1 2 "Thailand crowns its newest transgender beauty queen".
- ↑ "Sequins, spangles and tiaras: The beauty pageant full of gorgeous women with a shocking surprise – they were all born men".
- 1 2 "Student wins Miss Tiffany Universe transgender pageant in Pattaya". www.ChinaPost.com.tw. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
- ↑ Jackson, Peter. Queer Bangkok: 21st Century Markets, Media, and Rights. Hong Kong University Press. ISBN 9789888083046.
- ↑ "Miss Tiffany's Universe 2016". misstiffanyuniverse.com. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
External links
- Official Website
- Official Youtube Channel
- Tiffany's Show Pattaya Company
- Documentary Film on Miss Tiffany Universe