Thai beauty queen crowned Miss World 2025

BANGKOK – Thai beauty queen Suchata “Opal” Chuangsri, 21, was crowned Miss World 2025 on May 31, marking a historic moment in Thai pageantry.

The event took place at the Hitex Exhibition Centre in Hyderabad, India, and was celebrated with great splendour.

She was officially crowned by the 2024 winner, Ms Krystyna Pyszkova of the Czech Republic.

The competition’s final rankings saw Ms Hasset Dereje Admassu of Ethiopia as the first runner-up, Ms Maja Klajda of Poland as the second runner-up, and Ms Aurelie Joachim of Martinique as the third runner-up.

Miss World 2025 commenced with a dazzling parade featuring contestants in their national costumes, followed by an elegant showcase where each participant took the stage individually in breathtaking evening gowns, organised by continent.

The competition, in its 72nd edition, then moved on to the announcement of the top 40 contestants, selected from 108 countries.

These finalists were divided into four continental groups, with 10 representatives from each: the Americas and the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, as well as Asia and Oceania.

Some of the contestants advanced automatically to the top 40 through fast-track events.

Among them was Ms Suchata, who secured first place in the Asia and Oceania Multimedia Challenge.

The anticipation continued as the competition narrowed down to the top 20 finalists, featuring some of the strongest contenders of the year. The countries that made it through were:

The announcement of the final eight contestants followed, featuring representatives from Brazil, Martinique, Ethiopia, Namibia, Poland, Ukraine, the Philippines and Thailand.

The competition then entered its most challenging phase, where the final eight contestants had to respond to the question: “Do you believe you deserve to be Miss World and the representative of Asia and Oceania?”

Ms Suchata delivered a heartfelt answer.

“For this question,I see it as tending to a flower garden. Anyone can water the plants, but to create a truly beautiful and sustainable garden, there must be someone who nurtures it consistently,” she said.

She added: “This mirrors the role of Miss Asia and Oceania. It’s not just about presenting oneself with a title, but about making people truly feel that I am here for them, standing by their side.

“Through the Beauty with a Purpose programme, I have learnt that living a meaningful life means giving back dreams and hope to those who have lost them. That is why I stand here today – to be a beacon of hope, a source of strength, and to leave behind a legacy of purpose until my very last breath.”

The four continental winners were then announced: Martinique, the winner from the Americas and the Caribbean; Ethiopia, the champion from Africa; Poland, who triumphed in Europe; and Ms Suchata from Thailand, who secured victory for Asia and Oceania.

The final four contestants faced one last decisive question, with Ms Suchata being asked: “How has this journey taught you about truth and personal responsibility in shaping the stories that are told?”

Ms Suchata’s response was both eloquent and inspiring.

“Standing here today is the greatest honour of my life.One of the most profound lessons I have learnt from my time on the Miss World stage is the responsibility we hold in shaping how the truth is conveyed.

“The most significant action that I, along with all the contestants and everyone in this room, can take is to be role models – individuals whom others can look up to. I have always believed that no matter who we are, how old we are or what roles we take on in life,there is always someone who looks up to us.It could be a child, a friend or even our parents.

“The best way to guide them is through leadership rooted in kindness and action, because our actions always speak louder than words. This is the greatest gift we can offer to those around us and to the world. Thank you and I wish everyone the best – remember to stay strong and let your actions speak louder than words.”

With this answer, she won over the judges and was crowned Miss World 2025, making history as Thailand’s first winner of the prestigious pageant.

Ms Suchata comes from a family with deep roots in the hotel industry in Phuket province.

Despite not being of mixed heritage like many previous Thai beauty queens, she is fluent in English, having attended international schools from an early age.

In addition, she is proficient in Mandarin, having graduated from Triam Udom Suksa School in Bangkok with a specialisation in the Chinese language.

Ms Suchata is pursuing a degree in international relations at Thammasat University’s Faculty of Political Science.

She harbours aspirations of becoming a diplomat in the future, a career goal that perfectly complements her new role as a global ambassador for Thailand. THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK