ANN/THE NATION – Suchata ‘Opal’ Chuangsri was crowned Miss Universe Thailand during a spectacular finale on Sunday night at The Mall Lifestore Bangkapi in Thailand.

The event began with a grand opening show featuring all 40 contestants. She will represent Thailand at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico later this year.

Representing Bangkok, Opal received the Starlight Crown from MOUAWAD, along with a sash, a bouquet from FLOEDESIGN, and various other prizes.

The first runner-up was Surisa ‘Suri’ Susanna Renaud, representing Phuket, with Kanruthai ‘Muk’ Thasabut, representing Ubon Ratchathani coming in third place and Boonyisa Chantrarachai, representing Maha Sarakham, in fourth.

Opal first competed in Miss Universe Thailand 2022 and finished as the third runner-up. She was later promoted to second runner-up after the first runner-up relinquished the title.

Born on March 20, 2003, in Phuket, where her parents run the Homeplace Hotel in the old town, Opal is trilingual, speaking Thai, English, and Chinese.

She graduated with a focus on Chinese language from Triam Udom Suksa School and is currently studying Political Science, majoring in International Relations at Thammasat University.

At 16, Opal faced a health scare when she was diagnosed with a 10 centimetres lump in her breast. She underwent surgery to remove the non-cancerous lump.

This health challenge was a turning point for Opal, inspiring her to participate in beauty pageants to raise awareness about breast cancer, the leading threat to women’s health worldwide.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin