They reported to the event wearing women’s clothing. Since they have not yet undergone a sex change operations, the military conscription chief of the Muang Nakhon Phanom district put them on a list of men yet to be cleared for military service.

After they were examined by doctors, they were sent home and told to come back with a medical certificate next year confirming they had undergone a sex-change operation.

Thitawan Puengton, who arrived at the ceremony wearing a short skirt and a T-shirt with a plunging neckline, said she had been working as a cabaret girl in South Pattaya.

She has had breast surgery. Panitnan Phubunya, 22, who came in a red dress, said she was working as a marketing official with a cosmetics company in Bangkok. Natchanon Saita, 21, wore jeans and a student shirt of Nakhon Phanom University, where she is in her second year. She has received breast surgery.

Ketmori Suradee, 22, who wore a red strapless dress, said she is working as a showgirl at the Coliseum Pattaya and had undergone a breast operation.