Miss Universe Thailand

Miss Universe Thailand
	Official logo of Miss Universe Thailand pageant
Formation	2000
Type	Beauty pageant
Headquarters	Bangkok
Location	Thailand;
Membership	Miss Universe
Official language	Thai
National Director	Somchai Cheewasutthanon
Website	Official Website

The Miss Universe Thailand (Thai: มิสยูนิเวิร์สไทยแลนด์) is a beauty pageant that has been held every year since 2000 to select representative to Miss Universe, one of the Big Four international beauty pageants. The pageant was originally called Miss Thailand Universe. In 2012 name of the pageant was changed to Miss Universe Thailand,[1] with winners competing in the Miss Universe pageant. Accordingly, Miss Universe Thailand is not related to the previous franchises of Miss Thailand or Miss Thailand World.

The reigning Miss Universe Thailand 2019 is Jennifer Paweensuda Saetan-Drouin from Bangkok and she represented Thailand at the Miss Universe 2019 pageant on 9 December 2019 and finished in the Top 5.

Since 2019, the national director of Thailand is Somchai Cheewasutthanon.

History

In 2000, Surang Prampree was the only person who awarded the rights to host the Miss Thailand Universe pageant and to send a Thai representative to compete at Miss Universe. This came after the Miss Thailand Organization lost its license from the Miss Universe Organization. Kulthida Yenprasert was crowned the first Miss Thailand Universe in March 2000.

In 2012, The name of the pageant was changed to Miss Universe Thailand and was broadcast on Royal Thai Army Radio and Television Channel 5 instead of Bangkok Broadcasting & T.V. Co., Ltd. (Channel 7) until 2013.

In 2014, Miss Universe Thailand pageant moved to broadcast on Channel 3.

In 2019, Surang Prampree was replaced by TPN 2018 Co., Ltd. by Somchai Cheewasutthanon as the new national director of Miss Universe Thailand. Officially for a period of 5 consecutive years (from 2019–2023)

Performance at Miss Universe

Since the formation of the Miss Universe Thailand franchise in 2000, Thailand has placed seven times. In recent years, Thailand has had success at Miss Universe. Since 2015, Thailand has placed consecutively in the semifinals at Miss Universe, with two top 10 finishes in 2015 and 2018, and three top 5/6 finishes in 2016, 2017, and 2019.

In 2005, Thailand hosted the Miss Universe pageant, making it the second time the country had hosted the contest; the first time being in 1992. Chananporn Rosjan, Miss Thailand Universe 2005, won the Best National Costume award in her country. She is the first Miss Thailand Universe that received the special award at the Miss Universe pageant.

The following year, Charm Osathanond advanced to the top 20 at Miss Universe 2006 in Los Angeles. Osathanond was the first Thai representative to advance to the semifinals in 18 years, since Porntip Nakhirunkanok won in 1988.

At the Miss Universe 2007 contest held in Mexico City, Farung Yuthithum advanced to the top 15, marking the second year in a row that Thailand made the semifinals.

At Miss Universe 2015 held in Las Vegas, Aniporn Chalermburanawong placed in the top 15, finishing in the top 10. This was Thailand’s first placement since 2007 and first top 10 finish since 1988.

The following year, Chalita Suansane advanced to the top 13 after winning the online vote at Miss Universe 2016 held in Manila. Suansane finished in the top 6.

At Miss Universe 2017 in Las Vegas, Maria Ehren, a heavy favorite to win, advanced to the top 16 and finished in the top 5. Ehren’s top 5 finish was Thailand’s highest placement in 29 years, since Porntip Nakhirankanok won at Miss Universe 1988.

Thailand hosted Miss Universe 2018 in Bangkok, marking the third time the country hosted the pageant. Sophida Kanchanarin advanced to the top 20, finishing in the top 10. Kanchanarin is the first Thai representative to advance to the top 10 as host country at Miss Universe.

At Miss Universe 2019 held in Atlanta, Paweensuda Drouin, a heavy favorite for the crown, advanced to the top 20 and finished in the top 5. This is the fifth consecutive year Thailand has placed at Miss Universe, with Drouin continuing a fifth year with top ten and higher placements.

Editions

Below is the complete list of Miss Universe Thailand editions.

Final competition

Year	Finals Date	Presenters	Broadcasters	Entrants	Finals Venue
2006	March 25	Sanya Kunakorn (main) Araya A. Hargate, Sasina Wimuttanon (support)	Channel 7	44	Sofitel Centara Grand Bangkok
2007	March 24	Sanya Kunakorn, Nattawut Sakidjai (main) Warattaya Nilkuha, Ampika Chuanpreecha (support)	Channel 7	44	Sofitel Centara Grand Bangkok
2008	March 24	Sanya Kunakorn (main) Usanee Wattana, Saruta Sutthicharoen (support)	Channel 7	44	Aksra Theatre, King Power Complex
2009	March 28	Sanya Kunakorn, Nattawut Sakidjai, Amy Klinpratum	Channel 7	44	Sofitel Centara Grand Bangkok
2010	March 20	Sanya Kunakorn, Usanee Wattana, Kannaporn Puangthong	Channel 7	44	Sofitel Centara Grand Bangkok
2011	March 26	Sanya Kunakorn	Channel 7	44	Royal Paragon Hall, Siam Paragon
2012	June 2	Kanit Sarasin, Elizabeth Sadler Leenanuchai	Channel 5	44	Siam Pavalai Royal Grand Theatre, Siam Paragon
2013	May 11	Kanit Sarasin, Elizabeth Sadler Leenanuchai	Channel 5	44	Royal Paragon Hall, Siam Paragon
2014	May 17	Willy McIntosh, Elizabeth Sadler Leenanuchai	Channel 3	40	Royal Paragon Hall, Siam Paragon
2015	June 18	Hemmawat Nittayaros, Elizabeth Sadler Leenanuchai	Channel 3	40	Royal Paragon Hall, Siam Paragon
2016	June 23	Hemmawat Nittayaros, Elizabeth Sadler Leenanuchai	Channel 3	40	Royal Paragon Hall, Siam Paragon
2017	June 29	Hemmawat Nittayaros, Elizabeth Sadler Leenanuchai	Channel 3	40	Royal Paragon Hall, Siam Paragon
2018	June 30	Sanya Kunakorn, Elizabeth Sadler Leenanuchai	Channel 3	40	Royal Paragon Hall, Siam Paragon
2019	June 29	Piyawat Kempetch, Charm Osathanond (main) Bon Jakobsen, Taneth Laksanavilas (support)	PPTV	58	Thunder Dome, Muang Thong Thani