A 24-year-old Bangkok woman with “perfect” skin beat out 40 others to be named the 2014 Chinese New Year’s Miss Qipao.
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.
Miss Qipao 2013 Sripatsorn “Nam- Ing” Buasuang prepares to take the stage.
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.
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.
Miss Qipao 2013 Sripatsorn Buasuang awards her crown to Miss Qipao 2014 Getmoli Rojanapradit.
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.
