There's more to Thailand's best-known annual beauty pageant than meets the eye. With around 500,000 transgenders -- known locally as ladyboys or katoeys -- Thailand has one of the highest rates of transsexualism per head in the world.
Though researchers have failed to explain just why there are so many ladyboys in Thailand -- ancient Thai mythology talks of a woman bearing three children -- a male, a female and a third sex.
Tales of tourists being assaulted or robbed by ladyboys, or returning to their hotel room with someone they thought was a woman only to discover the attractive, feminine body standing before them has male anatomy, might make for titillating reading on some Internet forums and in certain Thailand newspapers.
But there is a strong chance that every visitor will come into contact with a ladyboy every day that they are in Thailand without even knowing it.
Also on CNNGo: Life as a ladyboy: 'What does being a transgender mean to you?'
Ladyboys are employed in government departments, airline offices, commercial offices and retail outlets. One entrenched Bangkok adage is that there are more ladyboys in the Thai capital than there are bus stops. Another states that all the best looking girls in Thailand used to be boys.
Though reasonably well accepted as the "third sex" in Thai society, life is not easy for the nation's ladyboys. Those called up for national service in the past have had to be classified as suffering from a mental illness.
Having this firmly stamped on their rejection papers often hinders them obtaining mainstream employment -- irrespective of their qualifications.
And while they still aren't able to change their gender on their identity cards or passports, change is taking place one step at a time. According to local media reports, as of 2012 transgenders called up for military service will instead be rejected on the grounds of having a "chest defect."
CHANGING PERCEPTIONS
Waranya "Tam" Wongchayanon and Reya "Bank" Meelaksap ham it up backstage before the final round of the 2011 Miss Tiffany's Universe beauty pageant in Pattaya.
In terms of rules, Miss Tiffany's Universe pageant is open to pre- and post-op transgenders. Entrants pay a 5,000 baht entry fee.
The pageant is conducted along the same lines as any other beauty pageant, taking place over several days with contestants strutting down runways in lavish evening gowns, stylish cocktail dresses and alluring swimwear. They are also quizzed by a panel of judges.
The final gala event, when the Miss Tiffany's Universe queen for the coming 12 months is crowned, is attended by high-profile business owners, celebrities, academics and even the provincial governor.
Backstage, the atmosphere is one of frantic calm, the air a stange mixture of tension. In true Thai style, the main aim is sanook (joy) as the 30 finalists and their assistants prepare for the live telecast event.
Though competition for the coveted title is fierce, all of the contestants enjoy a special camaraderie that only comes from being part of a minority.
As friends and assistants apply body make-up, style hair, brush lip gloss and attend to last-minute garment alterations, the contestants nervously await the curtain call.
'LEARN TO ACCEPT PEOPLE FOR WHO THEY REALLY ARE'
Miss Tiffany's Universe 2011 beauty queen Sirapatsorn "Sammy" Attayakorn (centre), flanked by first runner up Sarunrat "Nat" Chaiyakorn and second runner up Tissanamadi "Gigi" Bunniyom.
As the judging panel deliberated, the contestants, who included business owners, government employees, a doctor, an engineer, a pharmacist and university students, jostled nervously. No different from contestants in any beauty pageant the world over.
When the verdict was announced last weekend, 19-year-old third-year
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