20-year-old Sorrawee Nattee Crowned Most Beautiful Transsexual

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Sorrawee took the top prize at Miss Tiffany's Universe 2009
in the beach resort of Pattaya, beating off 29 other transsexuals and
receiving a small Honda car, and 100,000 baht ($2,860) in cash on
Friday night.

"I'm very excited," the 20-year-old from
Thailand's southern Songkhla province said, touching the glimmering
winner's crown with disbelieving fingers.

She appeared
overwhelmed by hordes of photographers, camera crews and well-wishers,
the scene played out before a live television audience of 15 million
people.

In a nation obsessed with beauty pageants and famous for
its sexual tolerance, this elaborate contest is taken every bit as
seriously as the more traditional competitions.

The pageant had
categories for Best Costume, Miss Photogenic and even Miss Unlimited
Sexy Star. Dresses ranged from flowing white ensembles to shimmering
red numbers and pink miniskirts. High heels were a must.

All contestants were born men, and organizers said they hoped to raise public awareness of transgendered issues.

When asked to name her hero, winner Sorrawee earned loud applause by naming her mother and father.

"She
had smart answers and is very beautiful," Marut Sarowat, a television
and stage director who was one of the judges, said of Sorrawee.