Veechan Souksi
A 24-year-old Bangkok woman with “perfect” skin beat out 40 others to be
named the 2014 Chinese New Year’s Miss Qipao.
Miss Qipao 2013 Sripatsorn “Nam-
Ing” Buasuang prepares to take the stage.
Getmoli Rojanapradit took home 30,000 baht, gift vouchers
from Nitcha Clinic and Gluta Mt. Claire, and a trophy and crown for winning the
Feb. 2 contest at Central Festival Pattaya Beach. She also won 3,000 baht and
another Gluta voucher for being named “Miss Perfect Skin.”
Chonburi native Jiraporn Wongsiriwimol, 23, took second place and 10,000 baht
and the Nitcha and Gluta vouchers. She also won 3,000 baht and a second Nitcha
voucher by being named “Miss Healthy.” Sara Saisakulseth, 22, of Phichit took
the 5,000 baht third-place prize and two gift vouchers.
Qipao dresses, more commonly called “cheongsam,” are snug, one-piece dresses won
by both men and women in China. However, the stylish and often tight-fitting
qipao is most often associated with today with those created in the 1920s in
Shanghai and made fashionable by socialites and upper-class women.
Forty-one women paraded on stage to begin the show. As the 13 judges mulled
their top 10 semi-finalists, children from the Pattaya Star City Academy put on
a dance show, BB Records artist Chetkiti Wattakitpinno performed, and organizers
held prize drawings for the audience.
Miss Qipao 2013 Sripatsorn Buasuang
awards her crown to Miss Qipao 2014 Getmoli Rojanapradit.
Organizers also sold peacock plumes to the audience; inviting
them to present feathers to the contestant they liked most. Proceeds from the
100-baht plumes went to charity. The vote determined the winner of the “Miss
Popular Vote” prize, eventually won by 21-year-old Wansamol Thonginn, who took
home 3,000 baht and a gift certificate from Neolife.
Before selecting the top three finishers, judges asked contestants random
questions, most of them related to how they would promote tourism in Pattaya.
Miss Qipao 2013 Sripatsorn Buasuang told the women the job actually was quite
taxing, but she was confident the new winner would work hard.
“This may be a small stage, but this is just the beginning of everything,” she
said. “Many contestants have stepped off of this stage and went international or
even win on other major stages nationwide.”
Joining the other winners were 15-year-old Tanchanok Petchrayutapan for “Miss
Photogenic,” Rachrin Yuktasitisak, 21, for “Miss Chinese Beauty Look,” and
15-year-old Phurahong Kahill, who won “Miss Pretty Eyes.” All the prize winners
took home 3,000 baht with Phurahong also getting a gift voucher from Tipco.
Winners and runners-up pose with
sponsors and judges.
(L to R) Phurahong Kahill (Miss
Pretty Eyes), Getmoli Rojanapradit (Miss Perfect Skin), Rachrin Yuktasitisak
(Miss Chinese Beauty Look), and Tanchanok Petchrayutapan (Miss Photogenic).
Contestants strut their beautiful
Qipao fashions along the catwalk.
Chusak Sriwacharapong, city council
member and chairman of the event, presents the winning trophy to Miss Qipao
2014, 24 year old Getmoli “Fai” Rojanapradit.
Contestants get ready for their big
moment on stage.
Guest singer from BB Records, “Khun
Thee” Chetkiti Wattakitpinno thrills the audience.
Students from Pattaya’s Star City
Academy put on a memorable show.
