Miss Thailand Universe
Really not much to say here as a picture speaks a thousand words. Although I never need an excuse to post a picture of a beautiful Thai woman there really is a story of sorts here. 20 year old Fonthip Watcharatrakul, who won the title Miss Thailand Universe earlier this year, is heading to America to compete in the The 59th Miss Universe pageant on August 23rd in Las Vegas.
She’ll be competing against contestants from 83 countries and I do believe she has a good chance of winning as she is truly is stunning.
While I’m not one for beauty contests, especially one as schlocky as this, I would be remiss if I didn’t cheer on team Thailand in this regard. Good luck to Miss Fonthip Watcharatrakul bring home that crown to Thailand.
Not Only Men Love Black Stockings
Many women in South East Asia love to wear leggings and stockings and dark colors are very popular, unfortunately they aren’t just attracting the attention of yours truly and every other warm blooded male. It’s been scientifically proven that mosquitoes are drawn to dark colors and in Thailand there is always the chance that the mosquito is carrying dengue fever.
In just the first 7 months of this year Thailand has reported over 45,000 confirmed cases of dengue fever which is a 40% increase over the same time period last year. Fatalities have also increased with 46 deaths related to the disease this year compared to 30 last year. 26 of those deaths were women between the ages of 10 and 24 making the link to fashion not so silly.
Being at the height of the rainy season which runs from June until September doesn’t help matters much as mosquitoes are abundant and can be found throughout the country whereas the risk is greater in the more rural areas during other times of the year.
Endemic to the region, dengue is a chronic problem during rainy spells, particularly during the monsoons, when standing water and poor sanitary conditions provide welcome breeding grounds for the disease-bearing Aedes mosquito. No vaccine exists for the disease, which disproportionately affects children and the elderly.
Resulting in high fevers, rashes, headaches, joint pain, and sometimes internal bleeding, dengue is a pernicious threat because mosquitoes can lay up to 400 larvae at a time in vases, flower pots, and poorly drained streets.
Dark colors are a bad idea and not just for the ladies. It’s best to wear lighter colors and use some sort of bug protection especially during the rainy season.
In Transition
News and posts have been considerably light over the past month or so; as you all know I have been wrapping up all the details of my life in the states in anticipation of my big move to Thailand. Well, with everything just about done, I will be boarding a plane later this week for Thailand. Emotions are running just a little bit high right now but I know in my heart I have made the right choice and I believe that will be reflected not only on Thailand, Land of Smiles but in my personal life as well.
I want to thank all of you for your support and for taking the journey with me this far. As my journey continues I hope you continue to follow as well because it’s only going to get better from here!
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I wish you well with your move.
All the best, Boonsong
Thank you Boonsong…
I do hope that your move goes well. These things can be a bit stressful, but hopefully you will feel a lot of excitment when exploring your new home. Coming to live somewhere and just arriving on holiday are a quite different. Enjoy.
Thanks Paul, it has definitely been stressful so far but I think the worst is behind me…
Talen, Thai women wearing dark stockings is totally news to me. I’m not saying that it’s not true, I’m only admitting to not looking at women’s legs while I’m walking around Thailand. And no, I will not change my ways
I too am excited for your imminent move to Thailand. It’s almost unreal as you’ve been planning this ever since I’ve known you. But here we are. One week away. Whoooh.
Catherine recently posted..How to Learn Thai via Skype- The Series
Cat, and that week is going ever so damn slowly…but by this time next week I will have beer in hand and be blogging under the influence of Thai women and mangosteens
What? No durian?
Catherine recently posted..How to Learn Thai via Skype- The Series
No durian dear…I’m saving that and the ladyboys for our breakout Bangkok shoot in the very near future
Ladyboys, Durian, and Bangkok… it promises to be an interesting mix.
Catherine recently posted..How to Learn Thai via Skype- The Series
…and you will be the star
Nope. Not me. Nadda.
Some with cameras prefer to stay behind, not in front = moi.
Catherine recently posted..How to Learn Thai via Skype- The Series
Apparently my taste does not coincide with the traditional standard of beauty in Thailand.
In the past I have looked at the women chosen to be Miss Thailand and felt that I often see much more attractive women walking the streets of Pattaya. (Real women – not the kind with a penis!)
This time, however, I think they have made an excellent choice.
I wish her luck.
P.S. Hmmmm… Mangosteens !!
Chuck, I have to agree, previous choices were outmatched by many Thai women on the streets. Apparently quite a few women in Thailand are upset with her now as well for raising her leg in pictures this week. But the girl has balls she went onto facebook and gave them all hell.
Mangosteens indeed …
I was on a flight from Singapore to Bangkok with the lovely Fonthip, I believe her father is an executive in the law firm that represents Singha and the Central Group, quite the Hi So.
Good luck with your move, it looks like I will be on my way back to Asia for a more permanent stay within a few weeks, hopefully it will be a lucky year!
Thanks Lloyd and good luck on your more permanent stay as well.
Fonthip is one beautiful looking lady and I hope she wins the Miss Universe title. Nose job or not? I nose which box I would tick.
I can’t say as I’ve noticed the stockings fad although I’m more of a sucker for a ladies face, I think you can read so much into one it’s almost untrue. Unfortunately some people don’t want to believe what they read.
Dengue fever….I always preferred Robin to Batman so maybe my brighter colours might save my skin.
It seems to me no matter when you travel abroad nowadays something might get you, in Thailand’s case its been bird and swine flu, rioting and now dengue fever. The choice is simple, lock yourself in your own bedroom or enjoy the delights of a fantastic country. Only one answer there.
Good luck and best wishes for your travel next week and I bet you’re looking forward to blogging live from the Land of Smiles.
Martyn recently posted..A Thailand Culture and Reality Check – A Tourist’s View
Martyn, I have to agree she definitely ticks all the right boxes.
Seems the WHO have finally come out and said that the H1N1 was a non event…go figure. But dengue has been a problem for a while and will continue to be one.
Definitely looking forward to the first post live from the land of smiles…
Talen,
She did well;
The night belonged to Mexico, but Thailand’s Fonthip “Pookluk” Watcharatrakul was the one who walked away from Monday’s Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas with a brace of titles.
The 20 year old law student was declared Miss Photogenic Universe and picked up the award for Best National Costume, while Mexican Jimena Navarrete, 22, was crowned Miss Universe.
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Never, ever in over 35 years of coming to Thailand and now living here, have I seen a Thai woman with black 9or any other color) stockings like you have depicted.
I can surely show you pictures I have taken in Bangkok and even here in Pattaya within the past 2 years…as a matter of fact the past week I have seen an extraordinary amount in Pattaya as it has been a little on the chilly side…