Several contestants have walked out of a Miss Universe event in Thailand following a public confrontation involving Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch. During a pre-pageant ceremony, Nawat Itsaragrisil, the director of Miss Universe Thailand, reprimanded Bosch for her failure to promote the event on social media. The situation escalated when Bosch objected, leading Mr. Nawat to call security and threaten disqualification for those showing support for her.
As tensions mounted, numerous contestants stood in solidarity with Bosch, leading to a walkout from the event. Video footage of the incident went viral online, prompting widespread condemnation. The Miss Universe Organisation (MUO) labeled Mr. Nawat’s actions as “malicious,” and he has since issued an apology.
In the video, Mr. Nawat can be heard raising his voice and instructing Bosch to cease speaking. He threatened that contestants wishing to continue the competition should sit down, yet many chose to leave with Bosch. Following the incident, Bosch described Nawat’s behavior as disrespectful, claiming he called her “dumb,” a statement he later contested by asserting that he meant she had “caused damage.”
The MUO has reacted strongly, sending a team of international executives to oversee the competition and stating that Nawat’s involvement would be minimized or eliminated. MUO President Raul Rocha condemned the treatment of Bosch, emphasizing that the organisation represents an empowerment platform for women, advocating for their voices to be heard.
This incident underscores important issues in the pageant industry, particularly regarding respect and support among contestants. The MUO’s swift response highlights a commitment to fostering a respectful and empowering environment for all participants.
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