Another magnificent show
highlighting Chinese tradition receives loud applause from spectators.
Warunya Thongrod
Brazilian model Marcelo Ohio bested 24 other contestants from 17 countries
to capture the jewel-laden crown Nov. 1 at the 9th Miss International Queen
transsexual beauty contest.
Ohio’s first-place sash came with 300,000 baht, a World Gems tiara, and a free
surgery at a Bangkok plastic-surgery clinic. American Shantell D’Marco finished
second and Thailand’s Miss Tiffany Universe Nethnapada Kanrayanon finished
third.
The contestants had been performing activities in various areas in Bangkok and
Pattaya since Oct. 27 to build camaraderie and help raise funds for the
Phravararajatinuddamat Fund for AIDS patients at the Thai Red Cross.
Since the Tiffany Show took its transgender pageant international in 2004, Miss
International Queen has steadily gained notoriety around the world. Another
Brazilian contestant, Raika Ferraz, won the right to compete in Thailand after
winning that country’s first transgender pageant, the Miss T competition, just a
week earlier.
Senator Sutham Phanthusak (right),
Managing Director of Tiffany’s Show Pattaya Co., Ltd., presents the top award to
Miss International Queen 2013 Marcelo Ohio.
The contest for the first time also hosted a contestant from
Myanmar, something considered unthinkable less than five years ago. Tanya Maung,
28, said the spirit of democracy sweeping through the once ostracized country is
giving transgenders freedom to come out of the closet.
Ohio, who has appeared in numerous women’s magazines in his home country, also
won the evening gown competition. D’Marco took home 70,000 baht for second place
while Nethnapada also won 70,000 and the most-photogenic prize.
Other award winners were Carolina Medina from Spain for Miss Congeniality, the
mononymed Arisa from South Korea for Best National Costume, Nur Sajat Fariz from
Malaysia for Most Talented, and Anne Patricia Lee of Singapore for the Miss
Ripley’s Popular Vote.
Kevin Balot, Miss International
Queen 2012 (middle) opens this year’s contest with a majestic show at Tiffany
Show, Pattaya.
Seri Fujinomiya from Japan tries to
gain points from the judges during the 10 finalist round.
Angeline Hanum from Indonesia walks
confidently in a green gown during the evening gown portion of the show.
Somporn Naksuetrong (left), Vice
President of the Royal Garden Plaza and Entertainment, presents Miss Ripley’s
Popular Vote to Anne Patricia Lee from Singapore.
Spanish contestant, Carolina Medina
(right), smiles for the cameras after winning the Miss Congeniality award.
Netnapada Kanlayanon, contestant
number 9 from Thailand, ‘wais’ the award presenter after winning Miss
Photogenic.
Judges and sponsors take to the
stage at the finale of the Miss International Queen 2013 contest.
Nur Sajat Fariz (right), contestant
no. 7 from Malaysia, accepts the Best Talent award.
South Korean Arisa accepts the trophy
for Best National Costume.
(L to R) Second runner-up Netnapada
Kanlayanon, Miss International Queen 2013 Marcelo Ohio, and First runner-up
Shantell D’Marco.
Miss International Queen 2012 Kevin
Balot (behind) places the Miss International Queen 2013 crown on the head of
Brazilian Marcelo Ohio.
Second runner-up Netnapada
Kanlayanon (left) and First runner-up American Shantell D’Marco (right) kiss
Marcelo Ohio (central) on the cheek after Ohio won the Miss International Queen
2013 contest.
Alisa Phanthusak (left), Assistant
Managing Director of Tiffany’s Show Pattaya Co., Ltd., presents the Best Evening
Gown award to Marcelo Ohio (right).
Netnapada Kanlayanon (left), accepts
the 2nd runner-up award.
Marcelo Ohio waves to the paparazzi
for the first time as Miss International Queen 2013.
Tu Nanthida Kaewbuasai, famous Thai
singer, performs one of her popular tunes whilst introducing the 10 finalists.
Kevin Balot, Miss International
Queen 2012, throws farewell kisses to the audience before passing the crown to
this year’s winner.
(L to R) Judges Peter Malhotra,
Managing Director of the Pattaya Mail Media Group and Kathy Heinecke, President
of spousal incentive program at Minor International meet up with Sarah and hubby
Brendan Daly, GM of the Amari Orchid Pattaya at the beginning of the event.
