Miss Universe Thailand Contestants Sue Over Prize Fraud

Picture courtesy of Naewna.

Contestants from three provincial Miss Universe Thailand pageants have lodged a formal complaint with The Central Investigation Bureau, accusing local organisers of fraud involving more than 10 million baht in unpaid prizes and promised benefits.

On 1 September, Mr Tankhun Jitt-issara, president of the Santiprachatham Association, together with his assistant Mr Keng Suchart, accompanied five winners and finalists from the Miss Universe Thailand contests in Phrae, Uthai Thani and Buriram to file the case with police investigators.

The claimants allege they were denied cash prizes and contractual benefits guaranteed by the provincial organisers, while also being subjected to intimidation and exploitation.

Ms Plaifa Khaithumma, winner of Miss Universe Thailand Uthai Thani, said she never received the prize money stated in her contract, nor was she ever given an official copy of the agreement. She added that organisers demanded money from contestants for sponsorships and crowns, while also inserting unqualified individuals into the competition with false promises of careers in the entertainment industry.

Another former contestant alleged she was misled over promised beauty surgery in South Korea and was later subjected to a gross invasion of privacy. She claimed she was forced into a so-called “black room” where organisers recorded inappropriate videos, using them to pressure contestants into signing away contractual rights.

Mr Tankhun told reporters that the conduct appeared to violate several laws, including fraud under Section 341 of the Penal Code (carrying up to three years in prison and/or a fine of 60,000 baht), consumer protection laws concerning false advertising, extortion under Section 337 and offences relating to the failure to deliver contractual documents.

He stressed that the case concerned only the provincial pageants and had nothing to do with the central Miss Universe Thailand organisation.

Police have now taken statements from all five complainants and will collect further evidence before pressing charges.

Meanwhile, the national Miss Universe Thailand committee confirmed it has already terminated its agreements with Asia Medias Co. Ltd., the company responsible for managing the contests in Phrae, Uthai Thani and Buriram, citing the organisers’ failure to meet required standards.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Naewna 2025-09-02