6-2-2024 (BANGKOK) Saruda “Pimai” Panyakham’s journey to victory culminated in tears of joy as she collapsed to the floor upon being declared the winner of the 25th Miss Tiffany pageant, held at the Tiffany Show Theatre in Pattaya on Sunday night.
Having previously competed four times in the Miss Tiffany contest without success, Saruda’s triumph marked a poignant moment in her pageant journey.
The theme of this year’s Tiffany pageant, “The Future is Yours,” echoed the event’s founding mission of advocating for human rights and equality for transgender individuals in Thailand and globally. Established in 1998, the pageant aims to celebrate the beauty, talent, and diversity of transgender women while also promoting tourism in Thailand.
At 29 years old, Saruda is a graduate of the Faculty of Education at Rajaphat Chiang Mai University and currently serves as an airline flight attendant. Her eloquent response to the judges’ final question during the pageant resonated with the audience, earning her resounding applause.
When asked why she chose to enter the competition, Saruda expressed her aspiration to serve as a role model and contribute to the advancement of equal rights in Thai society, regardless of gender or background. She pledged to advocate for a society that evaluates individuals based on their abilities and merits, rather than superficial factors.
In addition to Saruda’s victory, Kachisara “Bruce” Sridakote secured second place, while Jessilin “Jessy” Nakprasit claimed the third spot in the fiercely contested pageant.
