<p>Trixie Maristela from the Philippines was crowned Miss International Queen 2015 at the world's largest transgender beauty pageant held in Thailand's resort city of Pattaya, the media reported on Saturday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The 29-year-old graduate from the University of Philippines on Friday received the crown and a prize money of 400,000 baht ($11,161) and the option of free cosmetic surgery in Bangkok, The Bangkok Post reported.<br /><br />The first runner-up was Valesca Dominik Ferraz from Brazil and the second runner-up was Sopida Siriwattananukoon from Thailand.<br /><br />Twenty-seven contestants from 17 countries participated in the event formatted like other beauty pageants with a talent and a swimsuit portion.<br /><br />Miss International Queen, organised by Thailand's transgender cabaret show Tiffany's, is held annually in Pattaya and aims to create transgender rights awareness among international communities.<br /><br />Since its start in 2014, past winners include contestants from Thailand, the US, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Venezuela and the Philippines.<br /><br />Thailand has no laws recognising same-sex unions. However, it has a very strong lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, with many being a part of the country's entertainment industry.<br /></p>
<p>Trixie Maristela from the Philippines was crowned Miss International Queen 2015 at the world's largest transgender beauty pageant held in Thailand's resort city of Pattaya, the media reported on Saturday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The 29-year-old graduate from the University of Philippines on Friday received the crown and a prize money of 400,000 baht ($11,161) and the option of free cosmetic surgery in Bangkok, The Bangkok Post reported.<br /><br />The first runner-up was Valesca Dominik Ferraz from Brazil and the second runner-up was Sopida Siriwattananukoon from Thailand.<br /><br />Twenty-seven contestants from 17 countries participated in the event formatted like other beauty pageants with a talent and a swimsuit portion.<br /><br />Miss International Queen, organised by Thailand's transgender cabaret show Tiffany's, is held annually in Pattaya and aims to create transgender rights awareness among international communities.<br /><br />Since its start in 2014, past winners include contestants from Thailand, the US, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Venezuela and the Philippines.<br /><br />Thailand has no laws recognising same-sex unions. However, it has a very strong lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, with many being a part of the country's entertainment industry.<br /></p>