rooster59 Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 Miss Universe breaks new ground in Bangkok By Phatarawadee Phataranawik The Nation Weekend Former Miss Universes, from left, DemiLeigh NelPeters (2017), Apasra Hongsakula (1965) and Natalie Glebova (2005) attended Tuesday’s announcement that the pageant will return to Thailand this year. Spain’s Angela Ponce will be first transgender contestant at December pageant Thailand is getting used to being in the world spotlight. After last month’s dramatic cave rescue in Chiang Rai, it’s preparing to host the 2018 Miss Universe pageant. And the competition to be held in Bangkok in December will feature the first transgender contestant in the pageant’s nearly seven-decade history – Angela Ponce of Spain. The Miss Universe Organisation amended its rules in 2012 to allow transgender people to compete. It’s left to each nation to adopt the progressive rule or not, but Spain this year became the first country to crown a transgender contestant as Miss Universe Spain. Miss Universe’s first transgender contestant, Angela Ponce from Spain, will vie in Bangkok with 90 other women for the grand title. Photo/AFP Despite Thailand’s reputation as an LGBT-friendly country, the Miss Thailand Universe Organisation has not adopted the new rule. The reasons aren’t clear, but it’s possible that the organisers didn’t wish to detract from the popular Miss Tiffany’s Universe and Miss International Queen contests in which Thai transgender women have participated for years. Thailand was chosen as host for the 67th edition of the Miss Universe pageant over the Philippines, Japan and China. We’re good at it – this will be the third time the pageant has been held here. In return, tourism in Thailand and its capital are expected to get a multimillion-baht boost, and segments of the television industry will benefit too. Paula Mary Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organisation, held a press conference at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre on Tuesday, thanking the government for agreeing to host. She announced the venue as Impact Arena and set the date for December 17. “The Miss Universe contest has come here every 13 years,” she pointed out. “Thailand hosted the contest in 1992 and 2005, so 13 is a lucky number!” The United States, where the organisation is based, has hosted the pageant more than any other country, including last year in Las Vegas. The Philippines had the honour the year before. Sharing the news, from left, were Miss Universe Organisation president Paula Mary Shugart, Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat and Tanawat Wansom of TW Investment Group. Tourism and Sport Minister Weerasak Kowsurat assured the press that everyone involved in its return to Thailand would be safe and able to fully enjoy its hospitality and rich culture. “We chose Thailand because we have a lot of fans here,” Shugart added. “The contestants from 2005 are still talking about it.” The woman who won that edition, [Canadian] Natalie Glebova, ended up moving here,” she laughed. “That tells you a lot about Thailand and its people.” Shugart introduced Tanawat Wansom of TW Investment Group, which has sole proprietorship over the 67th competition. “We’ve spent more than Bt1 billion to bring about this spectacular contest,” he told The Nation Weekend, adding that the final round will be starting very early at Impact on December 17 – at 7am – so it can be broadcast live to the US on the Fox Channel for primetime there. The feed will also be going out to 170 other countries, he said. Steve Harvey, an American comedian, will reprise his perennial role as emcee. Tanawat has commissioned Somchai “Tee Matching” Suthanont of Tee Entertainment Co, who was also responsible for the dramatic 2005 pageant held at the Sofitel Centara Grand. The contestants will be arriving in early November to be steeped in Thai culture while touring the country. They’ll learn to weave silk, carve baskets, string floral garlands and cook local dishes. “We hope to make this a really memorable show, featuring charming elements of Thai culture along with a high-tech presentation,” Tanawat said. And Miss Universe’s first opportunity to address the gender issue is sure to give the event a fresh dimension. “This year, we will meet Miss Universe’s first transgender contestant, Angela Ponce from Spain,” Tanawat noted. “I think this will open a new chapter for the pageant in Thailand.” Weerasak pointed out that during the month leading up to the pageant, more than 6,000 people involved with it – including a media army – would be roaming around Thailand. “It’s a great opportunity to promote Thai culture and boost the economy of our secondary cities,” he said. “We’ll be supporting cultural and tourism facilities for this special event.” Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha remarked that the pageant would send out a “positive image” of the Kingdom. Shugart said the contestants would all become “ambassadors for Thailand”. Former Miss Universes, from left, DemiLeigh NelPeters (2017), Apasra Hongsakula (1965) and Natalie Glebova (2005) attended Tuesday’s announcement that the pageant will return to Thailand this year. Thailand has two Miss Universes of its own – Apasra Hongsakula, who won in 1965, and Porntip Nakhirunkanok (Bui Simon), crowned in 1988. This year Sophida Kanchanarin will vie for the country’s third title. Shugart said the event was about women “coming together and doing their best to support each other”, but while in Thailand the contestants would also be visiting the disabled, the elderly and underprivileged children. “It’s not about the television show – it’s about the experiences,” she said. “All of the young women that come here, whether they win or not, their lives afterward will not be the same. They will remember this for the rest of their lives and so will their families, friends and the thousands of other people that come.” Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters of South Africa confirmed that. She said at the press conference that she’d learned a great deal about the world in her travels. “Miss Universe has completely changed my life,” Nel-Peters told The Nation Weekend. “I’m more dedicated to my country. I’ve grown so much personally and emotionally. I have so much more confidence in the future as a woman. And Miss Universe gave me a global platform to speak about the things I’m passionate about, things I care about, a chance to make a meaningful difference in changing the world.” Nel-Peters is another big fan of Thailand, having celebrated her 21st birthday on Krabi two years ago, downing as much green curry and sticky rice with mango as she could. “Thailand has so much beautiful nature and culture and the women are so beautiful too,” she said. “I’ve never seen so many people so happy and calm as Thai women. No matter how busy or stressed they are, they remain very patient.” Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30351407 -- © Copyright The Nation 2018-08-04 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cadbury Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 37 minutes ago, rooster59 said: ".....Thailand is getting used to being in the world spotlight". On this occasion it certainly is and and the positive publicity is a good thing and may repair some of the recent damage to the tourism industry. Let's hope the show is not stolen by one particular self-centred individual who loves to be the centre of attention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post flyingtlger Posted August 4, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted August 4, 2018 This trans-gender, LGBT movement is getting out of hand! I prefer REAL women....... 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaff Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 6 hours ago, flyingtlger said: This trans-gender, LGBT movement is getting out of hand! I prefer REAL women....... yes, these ladyboys are the sickest brain sick people ever met... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirineou Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 6 hours ago, flyingtlger said: This trans-gender, LGBT movement is getting out of hand! I prefer REAL women....... And we all know, everyone was put on this earth for your own preference. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
from the home of CC Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 wife loves this crap but with the elimination of the swimsuit competition part of the program I won't be joining her watching it for the 5 minutes this year. ? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post sirineou Posted August 4, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted August 4, 2018 1 minute ago, from the home of CC said: wife loves this crap but with the elimination of the swimsuit competition part of the program I won't be joining her watching it for the 5 minutes this year. ? Which is just as good because it would be the battle of the bulge. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Dude Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 We'll have weight lifting Tomboys in Mr Universe soon...give me a break. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brigante7 Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 So a biological male (a man) is now allowed to enter MISS universe? And if he doesn’t win then there will be an international outcry from the far left rabid feminists, the pc brigade and every other kook on the left. Beigante7. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nemises Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 The wife loves this cr@p. She wants to go to BKK in December to watch it. Are commoners allowed to attend, or just the “beautiful people”? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post tryasimight Posted August 4, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted August 4, 2018 Miss Ponce...... How fitting. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 (edited) I don't think anyone is really going to protest if she doesn't win. The whole idea of beauty pageants is so RETRO anyway that I personally don't really care who they let compete or not, but some of the transphobic reactions are just stupid and mean. Edited August 4, 2018 by Jingthing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stanleycoin Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 58 minutes ago, from the home of CC said: wife loves this crap but with the elimination of the swimsuit competition part of the program I won't be joining her watching it for the 5 minutes this year. ? Yes should be real ladies with full on Camel toes !!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puccini Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 1 hour ago, gaff said: yes, these ladyboys are the sickest brain sick people ever met... Your comment about "ladyboys" makes me wonder what picture of the Spanish contestant in the 2018 Miss Wold pageant you have in your mind. On the web, I find "transgender woman" used to mean a variety of things and I wonder how this term is defined in the Miss Universe bylaws and regulations. Does anybod have a link to it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
from the home of CC Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 32 minutes ago, Nemises said: The wife loves this cr@p. She wants to go to BKK in December to watch it. Are commoners allowed to attend, or just the “beautiful people”? My deepest sympathy. Say hi to Mr. Harvey for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puccini Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 Check here to see who is competing against Spain's Angela Ponce in the 2018 Miss Universe pageant: https://thegreatpageantcommunity.com/2018/01/13/meet-miss-universe-2018-contestants/ 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nemises Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 Thanks for sharing. I hope they find some food for Miss Angola before the big day. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Dude Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 (edited) Miss Angola is hot...but bet the transgender gets on the podium so "the break new ground again" thing happens as that is the fashion now. Looking at the list of hotties in the competition then the dude shouldn't even qualify...however, maybe me being a white straight guy disqualifies me from comment and should be arrested. Edited August 4, 2018 by Sir Dude Typos 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ks45672 Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 2 hours ago, gaff said: yes, these ladyboys are the sickest brain sick people ever met... That Spanish one looks more than a bit scary....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 (edited) 18 minutes ago, Nemises said: Thanks for sharing. I hope they find some food for Miss Angola before the big day. Notice how "she" covers up "her" Adam's Apple area in the photo?!? Edited August 4, 2018 by Jingthing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickBradford Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 2 hours ago, Sir Dude said: We'll have weight lifting Tomboys in Mr Universe soon...give me a break. Transgender weightlifters are already winning titles. A man-turned-woman named Laurel Hubbard recently won the Australian International women's weightlifting.tournament. Hubbard was noted for her clean snatch and jerk, which was a huge 19 kilograms better than the second-placed competitor, leading some women who took part to wonder why the <deleted> they bothered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratcatcher Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 50 minutes ago, RickBradford said: Hubbard was noted for her clean snatch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickBradford Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 Just now, ratcatcher said: ... and jerk ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nemises Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myran Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 Ridiculous. He looks like the Joker from Batman. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Media1 Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 11 hours ago, flyingtlger said: This trans-gender, LGBT movement is getting out of hand! I prefer REAL women....... Yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrTuner Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 Seems that conpetition has gone the PC-gay-leftist-kumbayyah way. So for proper totty what is it these days? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enoon Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 (edited) 3 hours ago, DrTuner said: Seems that conpetition has gone the PC-gay-leftist-kumbayyah way. So for proper totty what is it these days? "Totty"? "what is it these days?"? What are you talking about? Do you mean "Potty"? Do you need one? I don't know what "it" is. What do you want to do? Can anybody else help? I'm not really qualified for this sort of thing. Edited August 4, 2018 by Enoon 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyberfarang Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 11 hours ago, Brigante7 said: So a biological male (a man) is now allowed to enter MISS universe? And if he doesn’t win then there will be an international outcry from the far left rabid feminists, the pc brigade and every other kook on the left. Beigante7. Right, including no bikini displays allowed. This is absolutely ridiculous. I won`t be watching this load of crap that`s for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stanleycoin Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 8 hours ago, Myran said: Ridiculous. He looks like the Joker from Batman. Wot !!!! The joker in Batman was not Black. last time i see the movie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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