|
Thanyarat Jirapatpakorn crowned
Miss Tiffany’s Universe 2007
Pattaya’s most glamorous beauty pageant draws worldwide attention
Thanyarat Jirapatpakorn, a 21-year-old student, was
crowned Miss Tiffany’s Universe 2007 in a competition that received huge
media coverage not only in Thailand but also around the world.
 Miss
Tiffany’s Universe 2007, Thanyarat Jirapatpakorn flanked by first
runner-up, Paravee Chatrapakorn (left) and second runner-up, Satyaporn
Hongsopa.
Although to the casual viewer the event appeared to be a conventional
beauty contest, the requisite for all the participants was that they had
been born male. Tiffany’s, famed as one of the greatest of all
transvestite cabarets, has been staging this event every year since
1998, and the contest is one of Pattaya’s most flamboyant attractions.
On the final evening, 29 contestants displayed their talents on stage in
an atmosphere of great anticipation, and from this the judges selected
10 contestants to go through to the finals.
 Alisa
Phanthusak, Contest Director presented the Miss Congeniality Award to
Korakot Phromketchan, a college student from Sripathum University.
Excitement grew as the judges made their decisions and the final 10
contestants were chosen. The next stage of the contest must have been
one of the most nerve-racking for the girls as they were asked
questions, and had to think quickly to give clever answers to impress
the judges. The audience gave them all their full support with applause
and cheers.
At last, the moment had arrived for the final three contestants to be
announced. Numbers 2, 3 and 16 were called and the audience by now was
wild with excitement, screaming, whistling and cheering for their
friends and favorites.
 Orwan
Phanthusak presented the Miss Best Costume Award to Kannanat Vejakul, a
college student from Songkla Nakarin University.
Satyaporn Hongsopa, was announced as the second runner-up, and received
50,000 baht, a sash, trophy, and gift cheques. Next was Paravee
Chatrapakorn, age 21 years as first runner up who received 80,000 baht,
a sash, trophy, and gift cheques.
Finally, 21-year-old Thanyarat Jirapatpakorn was crowned Miss Tiffany’s
Universe 2007.
An emotional Thanyarat said she was delighted to win “the most important
title for transvestites and transsexuals in Thailand”. More importantly,
she said, her parents will be proud that she won this title. As well as
the coveted Miss Tiffany’s Universe crown, Thanyarat won a Mercedes-Benz
A-Class automobile, 100,000 baht and gift cheques.
Thanyarat also won the Miss Photogenic, and the Miss Personality titles,
and that added another 20,000 baht to her evening. Other winners were
Korakot Phromketchan, 22, Miss Congeniality, Kannanat Vejakul, 19 for
Best Outfit and Nisarat Kithathong, 27 won Miss Ripley’s Most Beautiful
Woman.
The new Miss Tiffany’s Universe, Thanyarat, said with tears of joy that
she learnt a lot of things and gained experiences and many friends out
of this contest. She promised to carry out her duties to the full
throughout the year. She also thanked her parents for their
understanding and love they always give to her.
Kawee Siripat, vice
president of the property and asset department Minor International PLC,
presented the Miss Ripley’s Most Beautiful Wo-man award to Nisarat
Kithathong.
Thanyarat Jirapatpakorn,
this year’s winner also won the Miss Photogenic prize, presented by
Vichai Walapol, president of the Mass Media Photographers Association of
Thailand.
Alisa Phanthusak (left)
poses with some distinguished guests, Ursula Rothstein, Laurance Fatus
and George Rothstein at the Miss Tiffany’s Universe extravaganza.
Tanapat and Rattakit Hengtrakul enter monkhood
to give thanks and make merit for their parents
The ordained monks, Phra
Kittitapo and Phra Khunkicharo admired by their proud family.
The ‘nagas’ ask their
parents for permission to be ordained and receive their robes from them.
The ‘nagas’ kneel before
their preceptor prior to being ordained.
Narisa Nitikarn
In the Buddhist belief, when a young man who reaches the age of 20, he
chooses to make merit for his parents by entering monkhood. The other
reason is also to show his gratitude to them by humbly asking for their
forgiveness for any wrong he has done to them over the years,
intentional or unintentional, by body, speech or mind and to prepare
himself for life as a layman, householder, and family head.
Such was the case of not just one, but two sons of Chanyuth Hengtrakul
former MP of Chonburi province when Tanapat and Rattakit both decided to
take this virtuous step to be ordained into monkhood.
The happy occasion was held on May 5 at the house of their parents,
Chanyuth and Vilawan, beginning with the initiation of the
novice-candidate ‘naga’, the ceremony of shaving their heads and
eyebrows in preparation for ordination.
The following day the ordination ceremonies were held at Yansangwararam
Woramahawiharn Temple in Sattahip District, where the Right Venerable
Anan Kalayawattano, ecclesiastical provincial dean for the Dhammyuttika
Sect acting as preceptor, performed the two-hour ceremony during which
time the two were given their new names. Monk Tanapat received the name
“Kittitapo”, which means having assets and honor, and Monk Rattakit
received the name “Khunkicharo”, which means good deeds. A monk’s name
will always remind him of his new life’s purpose.
The Preceptor reminded Phra Kittitapo and Phra Khunkicharo that during
their month in monkhood they must obey the same rules governing diet,
celibacy, and material possessions that discipline the senior monks.
They must live in the temple monastery, collect their morning food in
the community, and study and recite the sacred Dhamma texts.
The ceremonies on both days saw the attendance of a large number of
friends and well-wishers from the worlds of politics and business,
including Wittaya Khunplome, Itthipol Khunplome, Sanga Tanasa-Nguanwong,
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn, Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh, Suwat
Rachatawattanakul, chairman of the Nongprue Municipal Council and Revat
Phonlookin, deputy chief executive of the Provincial Administrative
Organization.
Family and friends join
the ‘nagas’ in the Dhammyuttika procession.
|
