A 21-year-old Thai was named the most beautiful transsexual in the world in an extravagant pageant held at the famed tourist destination southeast of Bangkok.

Tanyarat Jirapatpakon went home with the Miss International Queen 2007 crown, beating 23 other stunning hopefuls.

Aleika Barros of Brazil and Chanel Madrigal of the Philippines were deserving runners-up.

"I feel excited and so happy. Everybody enjoyed the contest and I didn't expect anything like this," said the winner, who bagged not only the prestigious title and the diamond crown that went with it but also a cool $10,000.

The Thai business student was spectacular in a flowing yellow gown and wept after she was announced the big winner.

Tiffany's Show Pattaya, arguably the world's largest transsexual cabaret, organized the event.

Transsexuals, known as "kathoey" in Thai, are accepted in the largely Buddhist country.

The country is believed to have the largest number of male-to-female transsexuals per capita in the world.

Many travel to Thailand for sexual reassignment surgery it is not necessary to comply with certain set international standards before the operation is done.

The colorful contest also drew participants from Germany, Puerto Rico and Colombia.