An unforgettable Sunday for Thailand as their top model wins Miss World title as their shuttlers scoop two titles at Singapore Open

The Star

02-06-2025

BANGKOK: The people of Thailand were rejoicing on Sunday and it was indeed many of them will not forget in a hurry as celebration was seen all over the country.
First, Thai beauty queen Suchata 'Opal' Chuangsri, 21, was crowned Miss World 2025 on May 31, marking a historic moment in Thai pageantry.
Then, their shuttlers won not one but two titles as the prestigious Singapore Open.
World No.1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn proved his worth as the top player in the world after winning the men's singles crown while the mixed doubles pair of Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran also won in style.
A True South-East Asian Beauty
At the Hitex Exhibition Centre in Hyderabad, India, and the Miss World show was celebrated with great splendour as Suchata was judged as the fairest of them all. She was officially crowned by the 2024 winner, Ms Krystyna Pyszkova of the Czech Republic.
The competition's final rankings saw Hasset Dereje Admassu of Ethiopia as the first runner-up, Maja Klajda of Poland as the second runner-up, and 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 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:
Americas: Argentina, Brazil, Puerto Rico, the United States and Martinique
Africa: Cameroon, Ethiopia, Namibia, Nigeria and Tunisia
Europe: Iceland, Italy, Poland, Ukraine and Wales
Asia and Oceania: Australia, India, Lebanon, the Philippines and Thailand
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?'
Suchata delivered a heartfelt answer, as reported by The Nation Thailand/Asia News Network.
'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?'
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.
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.
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.
Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Thailand star to be propelled as the World No.1. - Photo: The Nation Thailand/Asian News Network
Rising Stars of World Badminton
Meanwhile, in Singapore, Thailand secured two championships on Sunday at the Singapore Badminton Open, with Kunlavut Vitidsarn winning the men's singles crown and the mixed doubles pair of Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran also triumphing.
Second-seeded Kunlavut dominated the men's singles final, defeating China's Lu Guangzu 21-6, 21-10 in just 37 minutes.
The victory marked Kunlavut's fourth title of the season and is set to propel him to the world No. 1 ranking in the men's singles when the Badminton World Federation (BWF) releases its latest standings next week. He will also become the first men's singles player born after 2000 to achieve the top ranking.
Earlier, Thai mixed doubles stars Puavaranukroh and Paewsampran captured their title by defeating Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet of Hong Kong, China, 2-0 in the final.
China's Chen Yufei claimed the women's singles title, defeating compatriot Wang Zhiyi in straight sets for her fourth championship of the season.
Notably, Chen ended the 27-match winning streak of reigning Olympic gold medalist An Se-young of South Korea in the quarterfinals. Since returning to competition in February following a three-month study break in Australia, Chen has regained her form and extended her own winning streak to 22 matches.
In doubles action, South Korean pairs secured one gold and one silver medal. Kim Hye-jeong and Kong Hee-yong won the women's doubles title by defeating Japan's Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi 21-16, 21-14. However, Malaysia's Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik beat Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae 15-21, 21-18, 21-19.