Opal Chuangsri claims historic win as first Thai Miss World
KUALA LUMPUR: Suchata "Opal" Chuangsri of Thailand claimed the Miss World crown at the 72nd edition of the pageant held in Hyderabad, India, yesterday.
The 22-year-old political science student and founder of the "Opal for Her" initiative, which supports women with breast cancer, competed against 108 contestants to become the first Thai to win the international title, according to the Bangkok Post.
Her initiative has raised awareness and advocated support for breast cancer patients over the past three years, with plans to expand the project internationally through the Miss World platform.
Suchata hails from the southern island province of Phuket, where her family runs a business.
She studies international relations at Thammasat University and is fluent in Chinese, English, and Thai.
Ethiopia's Hasset Dereje was named first runner-up, followed by Poland's Maja Klajda and Martinique's Aurélie Joachim.
"Opal has shown us that she is more than a winner — she is a woman of purpose, with a voice the world is ready to hear," said Miss World Organisation chairman Julia Morley, who led the jury.
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