6 Reasons Why Thailand is a Miss Universe Country!
Beauty pageants have been rapidly increasing especially at the start of the 21st century. There are hundreds or even thousands of pageants from the local barangay(community) pageants up to the national pageants leading to the international arena.
But with these thousands of pageants, there are four exceptional, unparalleled, most coveted, and considered by pageant experts as the crème de la crème in the realm of beauty pageants.
Most pageant experts call it "the big 4". And one of the Big 4 pageants, aside from Miss World, Miss Earth, and Miss International is Miss Universe which is arguably considered by many as "the most prestigious among them".
Started in 1952, Miss Universe is considered one of the oldest and most popular pageants of all. Basically, the Miss Universe winner travels around the globe to raise funds and awareness to help prevent the HIV/AIDS, a global pandemic disease, which is the main cause of the pageant.
Thailand, popularly known as "Siam" until 1939, is one of the countries that send a delegate for the USA-based pageant.
The following are the six reasons why Thailand is a Miss Universe country:
The oneness of Thailand in fan vote
In recent history, the Miss Universe Organization introduced a fan vote/online voting. The beauty queen with the highest number of votes will receive a guaranteed semifinal spot.
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| Screengrabbed grab from nationmultimedia.com; http://news.abs-cbn.com; and http://lifestyle.inquirer.net |
Thailand is a strong force to be reckoned when it comes to online voting especially in Miss Universe. In school, on the streets and even in television, you can see some artists encouraging the Thais to vote their candidate for Miss Universe.
In 2016, Thailand's bet tops the Miss Universe online voting eclipsing the Philippines and Indonesia known for being very supportive in their respective delegates.
Even during the finals, the Miss Universe 2016 draws record high of 34 million tweets where Thailand is one of the most mentioned.
The two queens in one kingdom
"The land of the free" has started joining the Miss Universe pageant in 1954, two years after the pageant was founded. The Thais only sent four delegates in Miss Universe from 1954 to 1966. But this did not become a hindrance for the country to win the title. One of these four ladies manage to snatch the crown. She is Apasra Hongsakula who won the pageant in 1965 on the following year, Cheranand Savetanand managed to win second runner-up.
After an almost back-to-back feat, the country did not send delegate in the 1967 Miss Universe edition. In 1971 to 1987, they rarely placed in the semis until Porntip Nakhirunkanok gives her country their second Miss Universe crown in 1988.
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| The two Miss Universe from Thailand: Apasra Hongsakula, Miss Universe 1965 and Porntip Nakhirunkanok, Miss Universe 1988 |
Aside from the two gems of Thailand, Apasra Hongsakula and Porntip Nakhirunkanok, did you know that they almost won Miss Universe four times?
In 1966, after Apasra Hongsakula won the Miss Universe 1965, Cheranand Savetanand won second runner-up in Miss Universe. It would have been magnificent to witness an Asian country winning a back-to-back in Miss Universe 42 years earlier than Venezuela's back-to-back win in 2008-2009.
The triad of beauties
In recent years, Thailand enjoys its winning semifinal streak in Miss Universe. From 2015 to 2017, they continuously impressed the world of pageantry by sending crown contenders like Aniporn Chalermburanawong, Chalita Suansane, and Maria Poonlertlarp.
The brains behind Thailands' success in Miss Universe are no other than the 34th richest Thai, Surang Prampree (former national director) and Chichaya Karnasuta (the new national director).
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| From L-R: Chalita Suansane (MUT 2016), Aniporn Chalermburanawong (MUT 2015) & Maria Poonlertlarp (MUT 2017) |
① Aniporn Chalermburanawong - Miss Universe Thailand 2015
"the last contestant in the final 15 is... Thailand!"
After seven long years of hiatus in Miss Universe, Aniporn made her country proud by putting her country in Miss Universe map again. She is like the '"Venus Raj" of the Philippines who ended the Miss Universe drought of her country. Aniporn ended as one of the top 10 finalists!
② Chalita Suansane - Miss Universe Thailand 2016
"and the final spot chosen from over 100 million votes from the fans at home, Thailand!"
Chalita came prepared during the Miss Universe 2016 finals in the Philippines. She is on the radar of almost every pageant enthusiasts. She is considered a crown contender and one of the threats for the Philippines back-to-back target. She did not disappoint her countrymen. Her va-va-voom body and oriental beauty deserve all the attention she has been receiving during the finals. Chalita ended as one of the top six finalists.
③ Maria Poonlertlarp - Miss Universe Thailand 2017
All eyes were on Maria during her national pageant. She was considered the one to beat during her national stint and with her spectacular performance, she easily gets the Miss Universe Thailand crown. She is the favorite of almost all pageant specialists around the world putting her as their winner in their predictions. With her knock-out beauty, ideal height, superb pasarela walk, and add her fluency in English, she can get the Miss Universe crown with no sweat.
I remember when the Philippines' bet was asked who she thinks is her greatest competition, she answered "South Africa and Thailand".
Unlike her two predecessors where they were called last semifinalists, Maria was called the first semifinalists during her stint. When she was called as the first top 4 finalists in Africa and Asia Pacific, she just confirmed and proved that she is the one to beat.
The fantastic four
Four Thai delegates in Miss Universe got a special award, either congeniality or photogenic.
In 1959, Sodsai Vanijvadhana bags the congeniality award. Sodsai was hand-picked to represent her country in Miss Universe 1959 pageant. On the other hand, Passaporn Chaimongkol (990), and a back-to-back from Chutima Durongdej (2009) & Fonthip Watcharatrakul (2010) won the photogenic award. Fonthip also won the national costume award while Chutima was awarded second runner-up in the national costume competition.
Thailand in 5
Most of you might be wondering what is the significance of 555 in Thailand. The number 5 in Thailand is pronounced as "HA" so when you see a Thai commenting with 555, that only means they are laughing out loud, HA HA HA.
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| Screengrabbed from YouTube uploaded by Official Nepali Beauty, Maria Ehren Miss Universe Thailand leaves for Miss Universe 2017 |
The 6-Peat National Costume Awards
One of the highlights of Miss Universe is the parade of national costumes where the delegates showed off their respective costumes. Some of the delegates even bring gigantic costumes that represent their rich culture and tradition. You will be amazed and impressed with the creativity and story behind every costume.
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| Screengrabbed from YouTube uploaded by Believe, Miss Universe Thailand National Costume |
From the popular tuk-tuk to the queen's costume and even the history of lighting, Thailand is reign supreme in this field.
Thailand has won the best in national costumes in 1969, 1988, 2005, 2008, 2010 and 2015 making it one of the two countries (Thailand and Colombia) with the most wins in national costume followed by Brazil, Korea, and Panama with four wins.
Final thoughts
The Miss Universe Thailand Org. has already mastered the secret formula in Miss Universe pageant. Thailand is becoming one of the rising pageant powerhouses in the world. With the recent success of Miss Universe Thailand (MUT) delegates and the huge support of the Thais, it is not surprising if they will triumphantly get the Mikimoto crown in few years' time.
And as they say in Thailand, kapunka!
Very informative article, I really didn't know any of this :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful country and beautiful people. My son visited a few months ago and I cant wait for my turn. Thanks so much
ReplyDeleteThis was so interesting! I didn't know that much about the Miss Universe pageants, and seeing '555' on some comments on the internet makes so much sense now!
ReplyDeleteI'm really not a supporter of beauty contests, but you obviously put a lot of time into researching this, so kudos. Nicely written!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice blog. Congratulations to you and also Miss Universe Thailand organization. Kapunka :)
ReplyDeleteSo much beautiful ladies in Thailand
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that
ReplyDeleteIm not really following showbiz, especially this beauty pageant thing. But you obviously put things together and seems to be knowledgeable in this subject. Congratulations Jay, job well done ❤️
ReplyDeleteI learned quite a bit reading your post. I don't follow beauty pageants at all and had no idea!
ReplyDeleteThe best place to visit Thailand and it’s one of my dreams to give it a trip and travel around the country and look at the beauty of it in real life.
ReplyDeleteI love the rich expression of culture in the Miss Universe pageant. I’ll keep my eye on Thailand. Hopefully they win the mikimoto crown soon.
ReplyDeleteTha people are naturally beautiful. Chalita is my recent favorite.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful,young womens, I agree. I'm not doing too much for beauty contests, but this article is very interesting.
ReplyDeleteIts good to know that our SOUTHEAST ASIAN neighbors are doing well in Big four.. Not just the Philippines..
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