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Here's an opinion piece from Dec 21 Bangkok Post Ladyboy flight attendants.

Aviation: Ladyboys too hot to handle, From immigration questions to worries about social acceptance, many airline executives show they are not ready to hire the third gender by Boonsong Kositchotethana, Deputy Editor Business

While the start-up carrier PC Air has defied an industry norm by hiring four transsexuals as flight attendants, more established airlines in Thailand are reluctant to follow suit.

Senior executives of several leading carriers, who spoke to the Bangkok Post on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the matter, were not quite ready to bring the third gender on board.

The executives acknowledged the airline industry has not openly adopted them for frontline service.

While Thailand has a relatively high level of social acceptance of male-to-female transgenders, executives said they see the adoption as more problematic than good, but admit it could be a positive marketing gimmick.

PC Air, the privately owned Thai charter airline due to start commercial operations this Saturday, garnered extensive international publicity by billing itself as the world's first carrier to employ "ladyboys" as cabin attendants.

The top constraint executives listed was these transgenders being listed as male on their ID cards. Many immigration officers have a liberal outlook, but they could be stopped or refused entry in more conservative countries.

Their passports will list them as male, and countries with strict rules like China and Arab nations may be puzzled or confused and less likely to offer a smooth passage. This could potentially affect airline flight operations.

Executives also admitted several airlines were too conservative to let ladyboys be associated with their brand image.

"Though social acceptance of transsexuals is increasing, there is still a cultural barrier for them in our society," said an airline veteran with over 30 years experience.

A lot of our passengers, especially conservative Thais with families, may shun flying with us.

Another senior executive of the same airline asked: "Do you see other established service-related enterprises like five-star hotels openly embracing katoeys as staff ? No.

"While they are more visible at cosmetics shops and health stores in Thailand, it does not mean they will be welcomed with open arms in other service sectors anytime soon," she added.

"What is the point of hiring transgenders as cabin attendants?" an airline founder asked.  

"There are thousands of men and women who are eager to accept these jobs," he added.  

Transgenders often don't make it past the first step in the application process because of their identity, an executive of a no-frills carrier pointed out.  

Most airlines, even PC Air, state the gender they want when hiring - male, female or both - and anything in between is disqualified by screening officers.

PC Air made an exception by specifying ladyboy applicants have qualifications similar to female attendants. The ladyboys are to be like women in how they walk and talk, having a feminine voice and the right attitude.

But a few executives felt transgenders would work harder to prove their professionalism and skill on the job.

Piyo Chantraporn, the 48-year-old president of PC Air who prefers to be called Peter Chan, said management prides itself on its equal-opportunity policy for transsexuals, repeatedly denying the transgender recruitment was done for the sake of publicity.

Among its first batch of 30 cabin attendants are four transsexuals, 19 females and seven males, all of whom were officially certified.

One of the four transgenders is Thanyarat Chirapatpakorn, who was crowned Miss Tiffany Universe 2007 and is best known as a model and soap opera actress who uses the name "Nong Film".

Nong Film, who was featured prominently in PC Air's advertisements, said getting a cabin attendant job fulfilled a childhood dream.

"It's a dream come true and I will work hard to prove my professionalism," said the 23-year-old.

PC Air has one jet, an Airbus 310-222, and plans to acquire two more wide-body planes, likely A300-600s, in the second quarter of next year as it aims to become a scheduled flight operator.

Hopefully PC Air will be very successful and prove that the big airlines' attitude towards transgender flight attendants is wrong.

Here's a promotion photo of PC Air's special cabin crew.

You can always try escorts - a bit pricey though. Vice Sisters, Also TS-Dating Escorts.

There isn't any place like NEP, so you may have to cruise the gay bars looking for the scene. Here's a blog from a Danish TS/TV that has some information. Tranny Life in Copenhagen

Good luck, I don't think it will be as good as a visit to LOS.

A big thanks to PD and BB for covering the contest. It's interesting to see how things are in Cambodia. Probably like LOS was like around 30 years ago or so with the lbs.

Looking forward to a few more photos - seems like the internet in Cambodia can be a bit frustrating, so thanks for making the effort and time to get these posted!

The long delayed Sukhumvit Sofitel is scheduled to open in February 2012. It is located near soi 13, and will cater to 5 star clientel. It is one of the tallest hotels on Sukhumvit. We will have to wait and see what the management policy is towards "guests".

Ex left Guess Bar a few months ago. Ronny's information is correct.

Hey, great find BB! Hopefully someone can attend and take some photos! Probably what is going to happen is that the contestants will choose (or get assigned) countries to represent. The Filipino lb contests have that format.

The aftermath. It was quite amazing how much media was there!

BB, you're welcome! While a bit more exciting than watching paint dry, I've always had an interest in these contests. Not for everyone, but certainly get the chance to see beautiful ts from around the world.

More photos.

The winner announced

The crowning moment

The winning walk.

I use this site when I fly to check which seats are the best: Seat Guru.

A touch too much vodka perhaps?

Here's the story:

Two Russian men were assaulted after they realized they had taken two men back to their rooms for some late night fun, 
instead of two women. 

Mr. Nikita Varenenkov aged 22 and Mr. Mickail Samokni aged 23 reported the incident at Pattaya Police Station and was 
accompanied by two transsexuals who are alleged to have attacked the two Russian Tourists who demanded they repay 1,000 
Baht each which had been paid to them for sexual services, with the assumption they were female in gender. 

As soon as they realized this was not the case, a verbal altercation soon turned physical as the two transsexuals,
Mr. Apichart aged 22 a Laos national and Khun Wittaya aged 23, refused to refund the men. 

At the Police Station evidence of injuries sustained by both parties were examined by Police who ordered everyone to the 
Hospital to deal with the injuries sustained. 

Investigations into the case are ongoing at this time with no charges brought against either party for now. 

And the photos - perhaps you may recognize the lbs if you're a Pattaya regular.

The final 3, waiting after the speeches finished.

Announcement of no. 16, Margaret as 2nd runner up

Waiting for the winner!

PDogg, I think Filipinas have won the Miss Ripley Popular vote every year since they started!

Now MIQ 2010, Mini from Korea makes her final walk and says goodbye.

The last few special awards.

No. 6, Lucky from China receiving the Glitzy Talent Award

No. 5, Nong Sammy from Thailand receiving the Miss Perfect Skin award

No. 3, Mariane from Philippines receiving Ripley's Miss Popular (internet vote) award.

A number from 3 previous MIQs

Nong Poy, MIQ 2004 (Thailand)

Ai Haruna MIQ 2009 (Japan)

Mimi Marks MIQ 2005 (USA)

That's it for the individual swimsuits, now it's time for the final 3 annoucement.

I didn't have the opportunity to do a dressing room check - however, I'm pretty sure she is preop - there were other preop contesants as well - but I'm not sure who all were.

Here's an interesting article from The Nation about the contest and give some background to Margaret and a few other contestants.

Miss International Queen 2011

Our Venus of the waves

Simran Panaech

Asia News Network

Pattaya November 8, 2011 11:02 am

A Venus rising from the floodwaters, Thailand's Sirapassorn Atthayakorn was crowned Miss International Queen 2011 on Friday night, beating 22 other contestants from 18 countries.

Now in its seventh year, the pageant at Pattaya's Tiffany Show Theatre promotes tolerance and understanding for the transgender community, and this year the participants in turn volunteered to help with the flood disaster and cheer up those who are suffering.

The pageant itself - with the theme "Beauty and Generosity" - raised Bt270,000 for the Chai Pattana Foundation.

It was a theme close to the heart of Miss Thailand, Sirapassorn - the always cheerful and smiling new Miss International Queen, who won US$10,000 and other prizes.

Surrounded by her supportive family and adoring fans, Sirapassorn shared an uplifting story.

She knew at age six or seven that she wanted to be a girl. Her parents soon abandoned any effort to raise her otherwise. Instead, they focused on raising a good person, and that authentic, built-in goodness radiated from her.

Sirapassorn said she was proud to win the competition because it represented full acceptance for the person she is. No longer does she have to "prove" herself.

Observers were struck by the same genuineness shared by all of the transgender contestants. Even in the midst of a media frenzy, Miss Sri Lanka Chamila advised the other girls, "Just make sure you're always doing the right thing." She too enjoys the full support of her family and brought along her best friend from Colombo.

Margaret was representing Lebanon despite being raised in the Philippines after her parents gave her up for adoption when they separated. That was the sort of disappointment in life that she's had to get past to become a model and make it to the international pageant.

Her adoptive father - conflicted over her sexual preference - shunned her too, but after high school she went ahead and became a transgender. "Everything seemed to blow up in front of me," Margaret said.

She saw the pageant both as a chance to show who she really is and possibly even find her real parents, who, maybe, might be ready to accept her.

"Am I pretty?" she asked. "My parents promised they'd come back and get me. I'm waiting for them. I hope nobody forgets me."

Margaret did once briefly reunite with her real father, but he was disappointed upon seeing her. He asked her what had happened to his son.

Despite her heartbreaking tale, Margaret exuded confidence. "Just be you," she tells others. "Be kind. If you can be yourself, you can be whatever you want."

The contestants gave the refreshingly voluptuous Miss USA Mokha Montrese the vote as Miss Congeniality, and the audience was also wild about the representatives of Venezuela and the Philippines, as well as Margaret and Sirapassorn.

Miss Nigeria, Sahhara, was a standout during the Q&A segment. "Other than your parents," she was asked, "who is your idol and what have you learned from that person?"

Sahhara picked the Welsh singer Dame Shirley Bassey, calling her an amazing inspiration because she suffered a great deal to get to the top of her profession. Sahhara faced her own adversities, but can now offer guidance to others. "Girls at home," she said, "dream your dream - it will come true."

Named first runner-up, Sahhara said she wouldn't tell her mother, because "she doesn't really want to be involved with anything I do in my life as a transwoman".

Miss Nigeria emphasized that she "didn't join this competition to get confirmation that I'm accepted in society. I joined because I want to have fun ... and also to make a statement to Nigeria that, as a transwoman, you can do this, you can be here.

"I already have the confidence," Sahhara said. "All of the contestants already have the confidence. If you don't, you couldn't become the person you are."

Now living in Britain, Sahhara is determined to go back to Nigeria to persuade more people to accept the third gender. "I come from a place that is very difficult and not very understanding of what I am. I'm going back to challenge those views - with cameras, of course!"

Sahhara left the audience with another inspiring moment. She was deeply moved visiting Thailand's flood victims and seeing how they're coping. "That will be with me forever."

Sirapassorn, the new transgender queen of the world, has a happy story. It's not always like that

For Margaret, it's probably a matter of not having the finances for the enhancements, reading her story of being adopted, and her adoptive father not accepting her.

Next up, 2 of no. 20, Yuni from Cuba,

then 2 of no. 21, Vanessa from Chile.

Next up is no. 16, Margaret from Lebanon, currently living in Manila. She was one of my panel favorites, despite not being silicone enhanced as many of the other contestants. She was 2nd runner up.

Hefe, you're welcome! Yes Nong Sammy is quite lovely.

PD thanks for sharing about your teerak's love of the contest. Very good of you to take her to see it live a couple of years ago. The tickets are pricey!

My special panel liked no. 16, Margaret from Lebanon quite a lot and yes, you're right Thailand can't win every year - I found it quite revealing when I was chatting with the contest organizer and I said I was happy Thailand won, and she didn't seem too happy about that - however, I would say this year Nong Sammy did much better than Nong Mick last year. More poise and presence I would say.

PD, I reviewed that photo - it is just shadows, the swimsuits are definitely opaque no transparency at all.

Next 3 photos of no. 15 Karin from Japan.

Next up, no. 12, Hazel from Philppines

BB, this sounds like it will be a riveting story! Looking forward to it and glad you all came through ok! :thumbsu:

Thanks BB! I know these sort of contests are not everyones cup of tea, but it is quite interesting to see the range of ts coming together in this contest.

More photos

Three of no. 5, Nong Sammy from Thailand, the eventual winner

Then 2 of no. 9, Chanel from Venezuela

More final 10 swimsuits.

Three of no. 2, Sahara from Nigeria

Recent reports that Koyo 7 has increased their beer prices to 115 Baht. Also duke007 you may not be using the Baht bus, but you're renting a motorcycle which still needs to be factored into your holiday costs.

I don't think the Pattaya prices as reported by Streetwalker will be accurate for long.

Each place has its attractions, and I think for a longer vacation 10-14 days, Pattaya would have the advantage.

Now on to the more exciting stuff, the swimsuit segment for the final 10.

First up 1 photos of no. 1, Yasmin from Brazil.

Then 3 of no. 3, Mariane from Philippines