Miss Universe Thailand top 10
Thailand’s Miss Universe contestants have been Top 10 finalists nine times and have won the entire pageant twice. Over the past six consecutive years, the Kingdom’s representatives consecutive years, all made it to the Top 10.
Here’s a list of Miss Universe Thailand reps that made it to the Top 10, their iconic moments and what they’re up to now.
More on Miss Universe:
1. Amanda Obdam – Miss Universe Thailand 2020
Amanda Obdam is Thailand’s most recent Miss Universe Thailand representative.
The Phuket native wow-ed audience members in a national costume that resembled Thailand’s fighting fish, and a memorable evening gown segment.
After the competition, she is now focusing on her sustainable clothing and bag brand, “Batika Studio”, and her modeling career.
Image credit: @haveyoulistened
As part of her efforts to advocate for mental health awareness, Amanda Obdam spearheaded a campaign called “Have You Listened” aimed at communicating the importance of listening to others with empathy.
2. Paweensuda “Fahsai” Drouin – Miss Universe Thailand 2019
Paweensuda “Fahsai” Drouin was a Top 5 finalist when she competed as Miss Universe Thailand in 2019.
She is most remembered for answering the question, “Government surveillance is used to keep many nations and their people safe, but some believe this invades our right to privacy. What is more important to you, privacy or security?” with an eloquent answer that resounded with many netizens.
Image credit: Vogue
Fahsai stated, “I believe that every country has their own government policy to keep us safe, and I believe that it shouldn’t cross the line of going into our privacy because we have a right to privacy.”
Fahsai as a host on CI Talks
Image credit: @citalksofficial
Now, she is a model, television host on CI Talks and a DJ for FM 99 MHz Active Radio.
3. Sophida “Ning” Jiratritarn – Miss Universe Thailand 2018
Representing Thailand in Miss Universe 2018, Sophida “Ning” Jiratritarn is best remembered for her inspirational story, transparency and iconic line, “Love yourself, guys.”
Her national costume, the “Chang (elephant) Icon of Siam” wow-ed audience members
Image credit: Khaosod
Ning openly discussed her struggles with academia, relating her experiences with “failing” courses. But through loving and empowering herself, the Miss Universe contestant ultimately graduated from university with a 3.9 GPA.
Ning mentioned that the most rewarding part of the journey was making her parents proud.
Miss Thailand 2018 with her family
Image credit: @ningsophidaa
Now, she is an investment banking manager focusing on creating financial plans for solar energy projects. Ning is also married and has a child.
4. Maria Lynn Ehren – Miss Universe Thailand 2017
Maria Lynn Ehren competed in the Miss Universe pageant back in 2017. She is best remembered for her iconic traditional national costume named “Chasing the Light” which featured motifs from traditional Thai puppetry.
Image credit: Nick Verreos
Maria is now a model, and is actively involved in fundraising for SOS Thailand, an environmental conservation organisation.
Image credit: @marialynnehren
5. Chalita “Namtan” Suansane – Miss Universe Thailand 2016
Chalita “Namtan” Suansane gracefully walked into the Top 6 at the Miss Universe competition in 2016.
She showcased one of Thailand’s best national costumes in a traditional Thai dress made of over 100,000 Swarovski crystals that was inspired by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit.
Her answer to a question at the pageant, created a memorable moment for her fan. It involved her sharing her goals of raising awareness and helping those who suffer from HIV and AIDS.
Image credit: Pinterest
Today, Namtan still appears on-screen as an actress in many Thai films and TV series such as Sarb Krasue and Club Friday The Series.
Image credit: UndubZapp
She also works as a model whilst creating videos for her YouTube channel.
Namtan answering her fans’ request of starting a YouTube channel
Image credit: Namtan lita
6. Aniporn “Nat” Chalermburanawong – Miss Universe Thailand 2015
Aniporn “Nat” Chalermburanwong might just be the most quirky representative who stepped onto the Miss Universe stage yet. The fun-loving candidate first stepped onto the world stage back in 2015.
Image credit: Minimore
She easily won the best national costume after walking out with Thailand’s famous “Tuk-Tuk” on her back. It was clearly her radiant expression and the creativity in promoting Thai tourism that brought her into the Top 10.
Image credit:@potter_natt
After Miss Universe, she continued her career as a model.
Nat is also an actress appearing on many Thai sitcoms, music videos, as well as television programmes entertaining audiences with her funny personality.
Image credit: @potter_natt
7. Porntip “Pui” Nakhirunkanok – Miss Universe Thailand 1988
Porntip “Pui” Nakhirunkanok was the second Thai contestant to win the “Miss Universe” title in the year 1988.
Her most memorable moment was definitely her answer during the Top 10 interview which checked the triple boxes of coming across as smart, funny and kind.
Image credit: Sanook
The host asked Pui, who was living in Los Angeles during the time of the competition, how she became a representative for Thailand. She answered in a witty reply that you can be a Thai anywhere in the world.
Pui also snagged the award for Best National Costume during the competition.
Image credit: Sanook
Part of the reason why she garnered fans quickly, was her openness regarding her dream of making a difference for children who suffer from malnutrition.
Today, Pui has devoted her life to running foundations that promote education for children, and being a frequent collaborator with Angels Wings Foundation International to build schools.
Pui, who is now in her fifties, is still a radiant beauty queen.
Image credit: Sanook
8. Savinee “Ae” Pakaranang – Miss Universe Thailand 1984
Savinee “Ae” Pakaranang was a Top 10 finalist at the Miss Universe competition in 1984.
Ae’s winning streak seemed to continue, as she won Mrs. World, a beauty pageant for married women, in 1989.
Image credit: Naewna
Recently, Ae was voted as Nang Ngarm Nai Duang Jai Talord Garn, which translates to “the favourite beauty queen of all time”, on a beauty awards show stage called “Beauty Legend 2021”.
Image credit: Thairath
Miss Universe Thailand 1984 has three children. Her daughter, Bambi also competed in The Star, a Thai reality singing competition and was a Top 8 finalist.
9. Apasra “Pook” Hongsakula – Miss Universe Thailand 1965
Pook is Thailand’s first Miss Universe rep that won the entire pageant – she also happened to be the first winner from Southeast Asia.
Image credit: History Daily via Pinterest
After the competition, Pook participated as a judge in the 1973 and 1979 Miss Universe pageant.
Image credit: Matichon
Glamourous as ever, Pook is now a renowned businesswoman and socialite, as well as the owner of Apasra Beauty Slimming Spa.
These Miss Universe Thailand reps are our queens forever
We imagine that these contestants must have faced a lot of pressure and scrutiny as representatives of a country on the world stage.
However, they never failed to carry themselves with utmost grace, which explains why these ladies ended up in the Top 10 rankings of each iteration of the Miss Universe pageant.
It seems like they have carried that poise over the years as well. These women are certainly ones to look up to, and we are excited to see just what other feats they will achieve in the future.
Cover images adapted from: Matichon (Left), @amanda.obdam (Centre), Sanook (Right)
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