A 16-year-old transvestite has caused a sensation in the Thai capital, Bangkok, by winning a kickboxing contest in the city's Lumpini stadium.

Despite taunts from his opponent that he was not a real man, the boxer, Parinya Kiatbusaba, won convincingly in front of thousands of screaming fans.

Wearing red lipstick and pink nail varnish, Mr Parinya planted a delicate kiss on the cheek of his bloodied and demoralised opponent, and said he would use the $900 prize for plastic surgery to help him towards a full sex change.

The shy man burst into tears

Before the match he caused a stir when he refused to strip naked to be weighed, as required by regulations. The judges relented when he burst into tears. As a concession, they allowed him to retain his underwear.

The shy youngster recently moved to Bangkok after a successful career in the Thai provinces, where for the past two years he has knocked out 18 boxers in 22 fights.

Boxing experts say that despite his slight frame and feminine looks, he can be a terror in the ring.

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