These Beautiful Pageant Contestants Were All Once Men

Parading around in skimpy, sequinned bikinis with their hair perfectly coiffed and make-up carefully finished, these are this year's candidates of the world's most popular transgender beauty pageant.

With around 100 women applying from across Thailand, the Miss Tiffany's Universe event is more competitive than ever before and sees dozens of transgender women battle it out for the highly sought-after winner's crown.

The competition, which started in 1998 and has run annually since 2004, is broadcast live on Thai television, with the latest round seeing the contestants walk the catwalk in skimpy swimwear in Bangkok.