In a historic and emotional moment, Suchata “Opal” Chuangsri of Thailand was crowned Miss World 2025 at the 72nd edition of the prestigious international beauty pageant held in Hyderabad, India. She becomes the first Thai woman to win the coveted Miss World title, making it a proud and groundbreaking achievement for the nation.
Opal, a 21-year-old political science student from Thammasat University, outshone over 100 contestants from across the globe. Fluent in Thai, English, and Chinese, the Phuket-born beauty queen previously held the title of Miss Universe Thailand 2024 and placed as the third runner-up at Miss Universe 2024. Her strong background, eloquence, and humanitarian work positioned her as a standout throughout the competition.
During the final Q&A, Opal delivered a heartfelt message emphasizing compassion and purpose:
“Through the Beauty with a Purpose programme, I have learned that living a meaningful life means giving back dreams and hope to those who have lost them.”
Her initiative, “Opal for Her,” which supports women battling breast cancer, was recognized as one of the top social projects of the year, further strengthening her candidacy.
Opal was joined on the winner’s podium by Ethiopia’s Hasset Dereje Admassu (1st runner-up), Poland’s Maja Klajda (2nd runner-up), and Martinique’s Aurelie Joachim (3rd runner-up).
While the event was a celebration of global beauty and purpose, it was not without controversy. British contestant Milla Magee withdrew from the competition mid-way, alleging exploitative practices. The Miss World Organization swiftly denied the claims, presenting video evidence of Magee enjoying her time at the pageant and affirming their commitment to contestant welfare.
Thailand has long been a strong contender in international pageantry, and Opal’s win marks a turning point in the country’s history on the global stage. Netizens flooded social media with messages of pride and joy, hailing her as “the sky crown legend” and “Thailand’s pride in blue.”
As the new Miss World, Opal will spend the next year traveling the globe, championing causes tied to the “Beauty with a Purpose” initiative, and continuing her advocacy for women’s health.
