Thailand: We have no problems with beauty pageants, in all genders

[webfact]

MISS WORLD CONTROVERSY
Thailand: We have no problems with beauty pageants, in all genders
BY NELSON ALCANTARA, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

THAILAND: -- The controversy over Indonesia hosting the Miss World beauty pageant is something Thailand can’t relate to. At least this is what Thanitta Savetsila Maneechote, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand, had to say when she took the time to speak to eTN in Seoul, South Korea, during the recently concluded Asia Summit by the World Travel & Tourism Council.

“Miss World in Bali is good,” the Thai government official said. “But, if it’s something that is against the Muslim belief, maybe you can adjust the way of the contest.”

She added: “For us, being Buddhists, we have no such problems for such international contests, in all genders, because we are an open society.”

True enough, Thailand’s tolerance on this matter is in the history books. An annual beauty pageants of transgendered women is considered a major event. So much so that the contest itself is nationally televised and it attracts participants from various parts of the world. Philippines’ bet, Kevin Balot, was crowned Miss International Queen 2012 in Thailand's seaside resort Pattaya on November 2, besting 21 other candidates from 15 countries. Balot received a grand prize of $10,000 and a crown from a well-known gem store in Thailand. [read more...]

Full story: http://www.eturbonews.com/38280/thailand-we-have-no-problems-beauty-pageants-all-genders

-- eTN 2013-09-26

[clockman]

That said it all! T.I.T.

[soi41]

So we are all looking forward to the next pageant in Yala!

[uty6543]

I have no problems with beauty pageants, in all genders the wife can go and watch a ladyboy show and I go to a beauty pageant more commonly know as a Go Go bar.

[jaltsc]

Perhaps many Muslim countries do have transgenders in their beauty pageants. After all, who the he-l knows what is under those burkas?

[bigbamboo]

All countries are different.... it's not about open societies just national mores.

Thailand love their 'Miss' contests but there are some countries who don't approve. That's fine, just as most countries are happy to show classic movies with characters smoking or women revealing a bit of cleavage but Thailand prefers to show large blobs all over the screen instead.

[Tatsujin]

So, Thailand is tolerant of ONE thing ... great.

[Neilly]

“Miss World in Bali is good,” the Thai government official said. “But, if it’s something that is against the Muslim belief, maybe you can adjust the way of the contest.”

"Adjust the way of the contest"...???

I think I prefer this...

Over this

[DocN]

She added: “For us, being Buddhists, we have no such problems for such international contests, in all genders, because we are an open society.”

I don't know, if laughing or crying is the right reaction to this!

[borisloosebrain]

Thailand is light years ahead of its neighbors when it comes to being sensilbe and tolerant about gender issues and bless them for it. An oasis of sanity amidst the neanderthal Muslim madness of some if its neighbors .

[JulesMad]

Indonesia is definitely a moslim country, however Bali is not moslim, but has a Hinduism religion (Balinese style)

[thomash]

No problem for gender in a Thai beauty pageants but big problem when it comes to skin color as unless it is white no way are you going to win and in most cases even being eligible to enter the contest. Ever notice you will hardly ever see a brown skin woman in a Thai beauty pageant as they totally discriminate based on skin color then try to justify it on top of it, amazing Thailand. At least I give credit to the USA in which a brown skinned woman of Indian descent just recently won Miss America. I am sure most Thais cannot understand how she could ever have won with that brown skin!

Edited September 26, 2013 by thomash

[tingtongteesood]

“But, if it’s something that is against the Muslim belief, maybe you can adjust the way of the contest.”

Screw 'em. If they don't like it then they can hold their own 'Miss Muslim International' contest. Why should everyone else keep changing everything because the Muslims don't like it !? They can avoid it and do their own version, then everyone is happy.

[belg]

open society

but not for farangs

and not for any competition

and not for education

and certainly not for wealth sharing

[moe666]

I would like to know who the genius was that decided having a beauty contest in a Islamic country figured that was a good idea

[tragickingdom]

Yes let us be politically correct towards Muslims (especially the male variety). Muslims are in general good people, they are peaceful and they are blessed with a self criticism. Infidels like most of us will be hunted from Pattani to Nairobi and from Damascus to Jakarta. Maybe the Muslims that are always defending the misdeeds of their friends should raise their voices instead of keeping silent when another idiot issues a fatwas or allows a 12 year old girl to marry a 80 year old guy. Muslims need less understanding not more.

[Bpuumike]

All countries are different.... it's not about open societies just national mores.

Thailand love their 'Miss' contests but there are some countries who don't approve. That's fine, just as most countries are happy to show classic movies with characters smoking or women revealing a bit of cleavage but Thailand prefers to show large blobs all over the screen instead.

It's OK to have gun fights and beat up women but no smoking allowed on Thai television (didn't want to confuse with TV!)

Beats my brain too.

Oops, off topic yet again.

[DeejayBabalou]

please note.. the majority of moslem people in Indonesia have no problem with the pageant as long as the pageant follow the code ethic of which relating to the philosophy of the nation. Only some stupid brainless uneducated pretentious hypocrite moslem fundaMENTAL activist who are against the pageant. They even declare a war against it. As they only have the balls to attack beautiful contestants of the pageant who are all have peace in their mind anyway. If the Indonesian government send these brainless people to the war zone like Afghanistan (since they are in the war mood anyway), guaranteed they will be soiling their own robe (since they dont wear pants).