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Thailand - Beauty Boot Camp

In some countries they've been consigned to a less enlightened, less politically correct past – beauty pageants. But in Thailand not a day goes by without a vying for a cash prise and an official citation in recognition of their dazzling features.

Good looks go a long way in Bangkok, but the competition is fierce, so smart beauty queen wannabes look for an edge. Ginny Stein has our postcard.

Bangkok house

Stein: Inside this nondescript house in suburban Bangkok, a group of young women are working towards their future.

17:05

Inside house

Music

Stein: This is a beauty boot camp. It’s not for the faint hearted.

17:15

There is a strict physical routine, set by the camp's instructor Srivieng Tanchai that has to be followed.

Srivieng

Srivieng: Beauty contests are a stepping stone for their future, because these girls are more beautiful than a million others. These girls are too young to find permanent and high paid jobs. That’s why they have come to join the contests, to win and earn money.

17:40

Some people say to be in a pageant, these girls must be determined and patient. It is tougher than many other jobs. They have to spend hours getting ready and be prepared to walk for ten hours.

Chomkwan applying make-up

Stein: Chomkwan and Jane have come to this beauty school in the city of Angels, as Bangkok is known, to work for their future.

18:20

Chomkwan: I took this job to earn money for my education. If I can’t be a teacher, I can save money to set up my own business, maybe as a trader.

Stein: But a life on the beauty circuit can be an expensive business to get started in.

Chomkwan, believe it or not, thinks she’s ugly.

Chomkwan

Chomkwan: Before I wasn’t beautiful. I had small eyes and had them double-lidded. My lower facial structure was too big. I could see my nose when I smiled, so I had to fix it. I had to improve my weak points to look better.

18:55

Stein: Even with the help of plastic surgery, you have to have more than a pretty face to succeed in this business. You have to be trained in the science of pageants. Most gruelling of all, is learning how to keep that certain smile.

Girls line up

Srivieng: Smiles are weapons to win people’s hearts. It’s the first window for people to see and know you.

19:28

Stein: But the young women from this boot camp must also maintain a strict diet.

And don’t forget the chilli -- the more the better.