Miss Tiffany’s Universe 2013 Netnapada ‘Neck’
Kalyanon (center) receives a congratulatory peck on the cheek from first runner
up Chananchida ‘Blossom’ Rungpetcharat (left) and second runner up Sopida ‘Ning’
Rachanon (right) at the globally televised Miss Tiffany Universe 2013 contest
held at Pattaya’s Tiffany Theater May 3.
Pawinee Kaewkert and Warunya Thongrod
A Bangkok university student studying Japanese triumphed over 100 other
transgender contestants to win the 2013 Miss Tiffany Universe beauty pageant.
Netnapada “Neck” Kalyanon, 22, took the crown at the globally televised contest
at Pattaya’s Tiffany Theater May 3.
The pageant, which this year followed an “A La Chic” theme, saw the Rajamangala
University of Technology Krungthep liberal arts student accept the crown and
sash from 2012 winner Panvilas “Jele” Mongkol. Netnapada took home a 500,000
baht diamond tiara, 120,000 baht cash, a Honda Jazz and other prizes worth a
total of 1.5 million baht. She also won the “Best Costume” award and will
represent Thailand in the Miss International Queen contest later this year.
Sutham Phanthusak, Managing
Director of Tiffany’s Show Pattaya Co., Ltd., presents the championship trophy
to Netnapada Kanlayanon, winner of Miss Tiffany’s Universe 2013.
Chananchida ‘Blossom’ Rungpetcharat, a Ramkhamhaeng
University student also studying Japanese, won second place and 100,000 baht.
Sopida ‘Ning’ Rachanon took third place, 70,000 baht and the Miss Kiss Sexy Star
award.
Winners in other categories included Yada Kongsricharoen (Miss Photogenic),
Nattarika Uontong (Miss Ripley’s Popular Vote), Patcharaporn Nai-in (Miss
Congeniality) and Kwanjira Meelaksap (Most Stylish Cocktail Dress). The Media
Favorite prize went to Yada Khongsreecharoen.
About 100 transvestites and transsexuals entered the contest, with the field
winnowed to 27 contestants for the semifinals. Ten finalists spent April 28-30
making stops at tourist destinations in Bangkok and Pattaya.
“The purpose of the contest is the same as every year: to find the individual
with physical and mental talents to represent Thailand in Miss International
Queen 2013, which is a mirror for society to see the value of these
individuals,” said pageant advisor Seri Wongmonta.
The moment of truth, when
Netnapada ‘Neck’ Kalyanon is pronounced queen!
Pageant Managing Director Sutham Phanthusak said the
competition helps the transgender winners to become famous, successful and more
accepted in society. “In addition,” he said, “Miss Tiffany has benefited the
tourism industry as international media arrived to broadcast the progress of the
contest, thus, making a name for Pattaya.”
“When Miss Tiffany’s Universe was held for the first time 16 years ago, it was
an innovative idea that was very much outside the box, but created an
understanding between the differences in talents of sexually diverse individuals
in Thai society,” said Chairwoman Alisa Phanthusak.
Sirapassorn ‘Sammy’ Auttayakorn
(left) and Panvilas ‘Jele’ Mongkol (right) award the Miss Tiffany’s Universe
2013 crown to Netnapada “Neck” Kalyanon.
Contest Chairwoman Alisa
Phanthusak (left) presents the Most Stylish Cocktail Dress award to Kwanjira
Meelaksap.
2nd runner-up Sopida ‘Ning’
Rachanon answers the all-important question from the emcees.
A violinist performs for the
audience and judges.
Last year’s winner Panwilas
Mongkol graciously makes her final entrance and exit as Miss Tiffany’s Universe
2012.
Contestants crowd around the
newly crowned Miss Tiffany Universe 2013.
The exciting moment when the
field is narrowed down to 10 finalists.
