Unfortunately for Pattaya Mail and her many fans, Teetha has moved on to bigger & better things. Teetha now resides in the Big Apple where fashion is king and many who live there are, well, queens. Mince Apai reportedly went along for the ride, and oh what a ride it must have been.

Contestants sashay across the stage, earning points and trying to make it through to the next round.

Teetha we miss you, for, among other reasons, this is the type of assignment you excelled at. Formal gowns and expensive jewelry were the order of the night - fashionably worn by men. Pattaya’s most beautiful women hid in the corners, unable to compete with Pattaya’s most beautiful women-wannabes, known locally as "women of the second category".

Your humble scribe has never quite understood Thailand’s fascination with cross-dressers, but as I am just a guest here, it is not for me to judge.

Presumably the best of the local’s best was crowned queen of his court on March 28th when 18 year old Pattariya Siringamwong became Miss Tiffany Universe 1999.

Khun Pattariya beat out a strong field of over 100 contestants, earning a cash prize of 50,000 baht, a sash, a crown, a trophy, a return air ticket for two to Singapore and a dinner voucher worth 3,000 baht from "Joumsaep Hut". Ms. Pattariya will go on to represent Tiffany Show Pattaya in the Miss Gay Universe contest in the USA later this year.

Nuantrang Pornanan receives his “best dressed” prize from Khun Kirrati Cholasit, owner of the Douangjai Beast dressing room.

Adding excitement to this year’s event was the telecast of the final round on ITV, allowing Pattaya’s best cross-dressers to expose themselves on the national and international stage.

One of the main highlights of the final evening for the audience was the question and answer period. Crowd favorite questions and answers included: Question: "What would you do if your parents asked you to become a monk?" Answer: "I cannot be a monk because I cut it off already." Question: "Would you like to have children?" Answer: "I would not want to have a child as I wouldn’t know what to tell him to call me, dad or mum."

Leading up to the final night, contestants also competed for special categories, including best dressed and media favorite.

The Best Dressed award went Nuantrang Pornanan, aged 24, who wore a long white dress which contrasted with his dark skin color, and large leaves which covered his breasts and abdomen. His style stood out as the most unusual of them all.

18 year old Pattariya Siringamwong, Miss Tiffany Universe 1999, wais to the crowd cheering him.

The "Beauty of the Media" award was bestowed upon Douangthip Isaraphakdee, aged 24. Douangthip was a unanimous choice of all the media. He had a very pure complexion of Thai beauty, and many believed that she would go all the way to winning the main contest. However, Douangthip finished fourth runner-up in the main contest, winning two cash prizes totaling 20,000 baht (one each for runner-up and beauty of the media), two long sashes, two trophies and dinner vouchers from "Joumsaep Hut" worth 4,000 baht.

Third runner-up, Napparat Suksung, aged 27, received a cash prize of 15,000 baht, a sash, a trophy and a dinner voucher worth 2,000 baht.

Second runner-up was Khaimook Klindorkmai, aged 24, who received a cash prize of 20,000 baht, a scarf, a trophy and a dinner voucher worth 2,000 baht.

Have a closer look, neither of these were born physical women.

First runner-up was awarded to Nattaporn Pornpormthep, aged 23, who received a cash prize of 30,000 baht, a sash, a trophy and a dinner voucher worth 2,000 baht.

Khun Sutham Phantusak, Managing Director of the Tiffany Show Co., Ltd., said, "This contest was organized following the successful Amazing Miss Tiffany contest 1998 last year, where both local and international media exposed the event worldwide."

It was also an opportunity to encourage females of the second category to share their knowledge and skills, and an opportunity for them to blend in with society and to become part of it.

The number one queen and his court.

Judges for the event included Dr. Seri Wongmontha, Khun Worayuth Milintahjinda of "Dao Lan Douang" on channel 3 TV, Khun Wassan Oudpamayothin (famous actor), Khun Girati Chonsit from "Douang Jai Beast" dressing room, Khun Amorn Sriamorn, owner of Adam & Eve Pattaya, Khun Prakit Watcharasin from "Prakit Woyaag", Khun Tissana Dumrongsak, actress and owner of a garlic shop, Khun Suriyan Ariyawongsophon or "Mor Yong", Dr. Thep Waechyisit, plastic surgeon from Patunam Polyclinic, and Khun Settaphan Buddhani from TAT Region 3.

Emcees for the event were Khun Chalit Fuengarom (famous actor) and Khun Suriwipha Kuntangwattana, TV show presenter of the Chomdao Club.