Weight competition at Thailand's incredible Jumbo Queen contest

If the size of a beauty contest can be measured by the accumulated weight of all contestants, Thailand’s Jumbo Queen Contest is undoubtedly the world’s largest.  Occurring each year on Thailand’s May 1 labor Day holiday, the contest matches the talent, beauty, and charm of some of the largest women in Thailand.  To be eligible to enter, each contestant must weigh at least 80 kilos (177lbs). It is held in the city of  Nakhon Pathom, just outside of Bangkok. 

From a list of 120 candidates, the contest comes down to twenty finalists, and the winner gets a cash prize, plus the opportunity of helping to raise funds to care for elephants.  You heard that correctly.  The Jumbo Queen pageant is a program that raises funds to protect Thai elephants and preserve their habitat.  If you attend the pageant, you can stay afterward and see demonstrations of elephants at work, because the event is held at the Samphran Elephant Ground and Zoo, near Nakhon Pathom, one hour southwest of Bangkok. 

The event is decidedly Thai, and westerners are cautioned  to check political correctness at the front door.  The contestants revel in their girth, and the co-host for the ceremony itself was a well-respected ladyboy actress and makeup expert.  Elephant calls are broadcast through the PA system as each girl approaches the stage, and everyone enjoys the sanuk.  

On May 1, 2004, Khun Arpapat Boonnarong, a university student weighing in at 95 kilos (210 lbs.) was crowned Thailand’s 8^th Jumbo Queen.  Her prize was 50,000 baht ( USD $1,250), and her duties entailed making public appearances as the Thai Elephant Conservation Ambassador for the Elephant Alliance of Thailand. During the ensuing year, 100% of her fees were donated to elephant-related organizations, and preservation and education programs. The title of Miss Jumbo Supermodel, honoring the heaviest contestant, was won that year by Khun Bangor Waiyawong, at 170 kilos (376 lbs.) 

How to get there: Take the bus to Nakhon Pathom, or taxi (taxis at hotels will charge approximately 1500 baht for the round trip, and will wait for you.)  Telephone for Samphran Park, where the contest is held, is: (02) 284-1873.  Although the contest itself is held from 9 am – 12 pm, allow a whole day for the ceremonial events which follow, including the new Queen’s presentation of 6,000 kilos of food to 25 elephants, in which the audience is encourage to participate by feeding the animals.