Miss Universe Thailand cancels ‘special dinner & talk show’ amid sponsor concerns

Miss Grand International Public Company Limited (MGI PCL) — the license holder of the Miss Universe Thailand franchise and host of the 74th Miss Universe competition — has canceled the “Top 10 Special Dinner & Talk Show with Queen Victoria and Mr. Nawat” following concerns raised by sponsors and a statement from the Miss Universe Organization (MUO).

In an announcement on Thursday, Miss Universe Thailand confirmed that the event would no longer push through.

“[Our] sponsors have expressed concerns, discomfort, and pressure that have led them to suspend their support for this particular event. Consequently, we are unable to proceed with the activity as planned,” the organization said in an official statement.

The organization apologized to fans for the inconvenience and thanked them for their continued enthusiasm and support.

“[We] truly appreciate your continued commitment in voting for and supporting your representative,” it added. “We remain fully committed to providing the best care, management, and media updates for all delegates participating in the 74th Miss Universe.”

Miss Universe Thailand National Director Nawat Itsaragrisil also addressed the issue through his Instagram Stories, thanking sponsors for their understanding while acknowledging that some had to withdraw due to the controversy.

“Some brand sponsors have to cancel because of fear of the first universal announcement about legal action. Sorry again for not taking good care of sponsors,” he said in Thai, translated into English.

He also reposted the official statement announcing the cancellation of the “Special Dinner & Talk Show.”

Earlier, the Miss Universe Organization denounced promotional posts about the event, clarifying that it was “not authorized.”

“Such initiatives do not represent the values, operations, or official activities of the Miss Universe Organization,” MUO said.

The canceled campaign had encouraged netizens to vote for Miss Universe candidates by liking and sharing posts on Facebook and Instagram — a move Miss Universe Thailand defended, asserting that as the officially licensed host organization, it “holds the rights to manage and execute such promotional activities within its territory.”

The Miss Universe pageant has recently been mired in controversy. On Wednesday, MUO announced that Nawat would no longer be allowed to participate in this year’s pageant.

In a video statement, MUO President Raul Rocha expressed “great indignation toward Nawat for the public aggression he committed against Fatima Bosch,” the delegate from Mexico, whom he said Nawat “humiliated, insulted, and disrespected,” even calling security to intimidate her.

Nawat has since issued a public apology.

Meanwhile, the Philippines’ bet, Ahtisa Manalo, arrived in Thailand on Sunday to compete for the country’s fifth Miss Universe crown.

The 74th Miss Universe coronation night will be held on 21 November.