Pictures courtesy of The Thaiger 

 

The 74th Miss Universe pageant, hosted in Thailand, has descended into chaos after a public feud erupted between local organiser Nawat Itsaragrisil and the global Miss Universe Organisation (MUO). The dispute has led to police involvement, accusations of misconduct and a contestant walkout, overshadowing one of the world’s most prominent beauty pageants just three days after delegates arrived.

 

The conflict began on 2 November 2025, when Nawat launched a “Special Dinner” campaign inviting fans to vote via “Likes” for contestants to dine with him and reigning Miss Universe 2024, Victoria Kjær Theilvig. MUO, co-owned by Raul Rocha Cantu, quickly denounced the event as unauthorised and accused Nawat of infringing on intellectual property rights. Nawat rejected the claims, insisting the activity had been pre-approved under his hosting contract and accusing MUO of misrepresentation.

 

The dispute intensified after Raul Rocha posted a screenshot of Miss Grand International’s (MGI) falling stock price, prompting Nawat to respond publicly with a sarcastic “thank you” after the price rebounded. The following day, Nawat called Thai police to the official pageant hotel, alleging MUO staff had organised a promotional photoshoot involving an online casino platform, “PlayTime”, in breach of Thai gambling laws.

 

Tensions escalated further on 3 November when Nawat livestreamed an emotional statement accusing MUO of “betrayal”. He revealed he had paid USD 2 million to host the pageant and claimed MUO executives were undermining his efforts and blocking sponsorships. He also alleged that MUO CEO Ronald Day faced a sexual harassment case, saying such a person “should not be involved in a women’s pageant”.

 

In response, Raul Rocha issued an open letter to contestants, affirming that only four official judging rounds, interview, national costume, evening gown and swimsuit, would determine results. The letter was widely interpreted as a rejection of Nawat’s “Special Dinner” voting initiative.

 

The situation culminated on 4 November when Nawat confronted Miss Universe Mexico, Fatima Bosch, during the official sash ceremony, allegedly shouting at her over links to the casino sponsor. Witnesses said Bosch broke down in tears before being removed from the room. Several contestants, joined by reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig, walked out in protest, declaring solidarity and denouncing disrespectful treatment.

 

Miss Universe Mexico’s national organisation called the incident “unacceptable”, while Theilvig posted on Instagram, “This is women empowerment. This is sisterhood.” The conflict has now drawn global attention, raising doubts over the pageant’s organisation and the future of its Thai hosting partnership.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand has been disrupted by a feud between local host Nawat Itsaragrisil and MUO.

• The dispute escalated from an unauthorised event claim to police involvement and public accusations.

• A contestant walkout, led by Miss Mexico and the reigning Miss Universe, has drawn worldwide attention.

 

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  Adapted  by  Asean  Now from TheThaiger 2025-11-05

 

 

 

 

 

Having a misogynist as a Miss Universe host does complicate things, especially one who embodies all the least desirable traits of male Thais, he just got caught showing his true colors.

There is more on this amazing story:

 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15258065/Astonishing-moment-Miss-Universe-winner-storms-years-event-pageant-president-reprimands-Miss-Mexico-tells-security-remove-not-showing-respect.html

 

And a video of the girls walking out:

https://videos.dailymail.co.uk/video/mol/2025/11/04/6487404695255102328/960x540_MP4_6487404695255102328.mp4

More You tube video here:

 

 

What's amazing is that in 2025 Miss Universe is still happening!  Is it a Donald Trump production?

Oh dear . Trouble at t mill.

 

Nawat will be taking up a new trade for the rest of the week. Trying to mend fences.

 

A Thai ' misunderstanding ' also on the cards

He was lucky it was women only. If it was a ladyboy pageant he would have been punched out, stomped on and lucky to make it out alive.

I thought Anne the Trans at JKN here in Bangkok still owned Miss Universe.

 

5 hours ago, John Drake said:

I thought Anne the Trans at JKN here in Bangkok still owned Miss Universe.

 

Anne the Trans resigned recently following fraud charges being filed against her organizarion.

Looks like she jumped before she was pushed.

Too bad about the 20 mil.

The TV series will commence filming shortly. 

A cynic will  say that this summarizes Thai business  practice in a nutshell.

Why international organizations like this keep dealing with Thai's is wild.  They could have made more money and have a beter time in any western country.  

 

The probelm is that these organizations llook at the money not the people behind the money or their businesses.

 

THE DONALD got out when he could make a profit and it has been downhill ever since.

 

THEN AGAIN THEY say that any press is good press so you have to woner how much is realand how much show.

 

google Nqawat and you will see his has a history of publicly humiating contestants

Bye bye Thailand. You just lost this event with a big loss of face. 

I would like to hear his comments after the cameras were turned off.

 

Would speculate it included the phrase....

 

'Don't they know who I am'  

 

 

And it shows how Thailand is treating foreigners for the eyes of the whole world.. It shows what they think and how they think they can handle only to promote the country.. I believe many potential visitors will rethink before coming.. Thailand wants to control everybody and everything, and they are desperate by the declining tourists, but this is the wrong way

29 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

And it shows how Thailand is treating foreigners for the eyes of the whole world.. It shows what they think and how they think they can handle only to promote the country.. I believe many potential visitors will rethink before coming.. Thailand wants to control everybody and everything, and they are desperate by the declining tourists, but this is the wrong way

Actually it shows the truth about one particular self important Thai male and not every Thai male as you are insinuating.

2 minutes ago, billd766 said:

Actually it shows the truth about one particular self important Thai male and not every Thai male as you are insinuating.

It the culture... Never been to the immigration for another example?

20 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

It the culture... Never been to the immigration for another example?

Oddly enough I go to the Thai Immigration office at Kamphaeng Phet 5 times a year and I have always been treated politely and correctly. Before they opened I used Nakhon Sawan and before that I used Mae Sot.

 

I have always be treated politely and correctly. Nobody has ever asked me for a bribe or any consideration at all, since I first came to Thailand to work in 1993,

 

Suan Phlu in Bangkok was a terrible immigration office because of its size. It was probably OK when it first opened, but it simply outgrew its capacity.

 

Now if you have had a problem, perhaps it is you that has caused it.

 

I try never to condemn an entire nation on the acts of a few people.

After leaving the event on Tuesday, Ms Bosch told the press the 60-year-old executive was "not respectful" and said he had called her "dumb".

Mr Nawat has disputed this, claiming his words had been misunderstood.

The above from the BBC website Ms Bosch being the Mexican contestant at the center of the dispute.

I would suspect our Thai friend's mind was in Thai mode, he probably thought Kwie ,in Thai meaning buffalo or someone who is thick, not a lot between the ears, then then did a translation which came out as dumb.

Being misunderstood is just a very bad excuse, whatever he needs removing, preferably for good. 

 

2 hours ago, billd766 said:

Oddly enough I go to the Thai Immigration office at Kamphaeng Phet 5 times a year and I have always been treated politely and correctly. Before they opened I used Nakhon Sawan and before that I used Mae Sot.

 

I have always be treated politely and correctly. Nobody has ever asked me for a bribe or any consideration at all, since I first came to Thailand to work in 1993,

 

Suan Phlu in Bangkok was a terrible immigration office because of its size. It was probably OK when it first opened, but it simply outgrew its capacity.

 

Now if you have had a problem, perhaps it is you that has caused it.

 

I try never to condemn an entire nation on the acts of a few people.

I never had a problem, but when arrived a few months back from my holiday there were 2 immigration officers who were not being polite to tourists because they did not had their TDAC card... I don't know what happened or what was said but 1 was yelling at a tourist and the woman who was after me was really treated unrespectful although she was polite and correct.... Anyway there other examples enough of other people in restaurants, shops or where ever who think because they are head of the police or have an famous father or mother who think they are better than the rest.. How many times don't read here on the forum that people say.. Don't you know who I am, or who my father/mother is???  People with high positions act like this. Just immigration was an example

10 hours ago, jcmj said:

Bye bye Thailand. You just lost this event with a big loss of face. 

 

 

I remember when this guy was all over the Thai TV shows, what rich family does she come from ?

 

 

6 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

I never had a problem, but when arrived a few months back from my holiday there were 2 immigration officers who were not being polite to tourists because they did not had their TDAC card... I don't know what happened or what was said but 1 was yelling at a tourist and the woman who was after me was really treated unrespectful although she was polite and correct.... Anyway there other examples enough of other people in restaurants, shops or where ever who think because they are head of the police or have an famous father or mother who think they are better than the rest.. How many times don't read here on the forum that people say.. Don't you know who I am, or who my father/mother is???  People with high positions act like this. Just immigration was an example

If you chose Thai Immigration as an example, it was a poor choice.

 

Just because you read it on the forum does not mean that is true.

 

Out of curiosity WHY were you, in your own words "1 was yelling at a tourist"?

 

I don't think that in my 32 years of working and living in Thailand that ANY Thai in any position has ever said to me,

 

"Don't you know who I am, or who my father/mother is"???  People with high positions act like this.

 

Nor do I know any friends, Thai or farang, who have had anything like that said to them either.

Mr. Nawat was on that cooking show with three others and did well.  Then he has Wuhan virus (COVID 19) and went to hospital.  He wanted to have a longer stay in the hospital.  The doctor asked him to leave.  Maybe he has long COVID.

7 hours ago, billd766 said:

If you chose Thai Immigration as an example, it was a poor choice.

 

Just because you read it on the forum does not mean that is true.

 

Out of curiosity WHY were you, in your own words "1 was yelling at a tourist"?

 

I don't think that in my 32 years of working and living in Thailand that ANY Thai in any position has ever said to me,

 

"Don't you know who I am, or who my father/mother is"???  People with high positions act like this.

 

Nor do I know any friends, Thai or farang, who have had anything like that said to them either.

I'm happy that you have an extensive history in Thailand without experiencing any bullying. That is not the case for me and specifically at immigration. In the example previously posted he did NOT write that I was yelling at a tourist. He wrote that 1 (one) was yelling at a tourist. I'll give you 2 examples from my life in Thailand. The person who manned the counter at immigration refused to speak English with me and was openly unfriendly. And with my friends as they reported. When I told them my story the laughed a bit and said "OH! You mean the ***t?!" So, that is just the way she was. One day when I arrived it was apparent that high ranking officers were on the scene. That day she was in uniform, usually she was not. And she said to me very clearly "Can I help you sir?" Ultimately I left Thailand and walked away from renewing my retirement visa because of this woman. It turns out I could be in country as much as I wanted to be on a METV.
In my 2nd example I was in country on a multiple entry tourist visa. I have never overstayed or made a problem. I wanted to do a border run in Ranong to stay legal and catch my flight home in 9 days. The man thumbed through my nearly full passport and yelled at me that I was living in Thailand. He never stopped at any specific page. Nothing I could say made a difference and I always stayed polite. So, I'm happy for you but your life does not reflect everyone's. I have also been treated exceptionally well. If awards were handed out I believe that the office in Hua Hin would be a strong contender.  

What was he thinking at the time?  

 

3 hours ago, captnhoy said:

I'm happy that you have an extensive history in Thailand without experiencing any bullying. That is not the case for me and specifically at immigration. In the example previously posted he did NOT write that I was yelling at a tourist. He wrote that 1 (one) was yelling at a tourist. I'll give you 2 examples from my life in Thailand. The person who manned the counter at immigration refused to speak English with me and was openly unfriendly. And with my friends as they reported. When I told them my story the laughed a bit and said "OH! You mean the ***t?!" So, that is just the way she was. One day when I arrived it was apparent that high ranking officers were on the scene. That day she was in uniform, usually she was not. And she said to me very clearly "Can I help you sir?" Ultimately I left Thailand and walked away from renewing my retirement visa because of this woman. It turns out I could be in country as much as I wanted to be on a METV.
In my 2nd example I was in country on a multiple entry tourist visa. I have never overstayed or made a problem. I wanted to do a border run in Ranong to stay legal and catch my flight home in 9 days. The man thumbed through my nearly full passport and yelled at me that I was living in Thailand. He never stopped at any specific page. Nothing I could say made a difference and I always stayed polite. So, I'm happy for you but your life does not reflect everyone's. I have also been treated exceptionally well. If awards were handed out I believe that the office in Hua Hin would be a strong contender.  

I agree that my life is not the same as yours or anyone else's, nor is it the same as the poster that I replied to. However there seems to be only a limited number pf posters who are unhappy with some immigration offices, min;y in tourist areas,

 

I gave examples of 3 different offices in rural and semi rural areas. Apart from 4 years living in Bangkok where the Immigration office I visited was on past Sukhumvit 97 I have been living in rural Thailand where there are not so many visitors and the pace of life is much slower and the people seem to be much nicer and friendlier.

3 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

What was he thinking at the time?  

 

 

He's just acting like the typical Thai male, he just met his match with women who don't bow before his grandiose feeling of importance. He's a God in his own mind, I'm half surprised he didn't tell them "Don't you know who I am?" 

8 hours ago, captnhoy said:

I'm happy that you have an extensive history in Thailand without experiencing any bullying. That is not the case for me and specifically at immigration. In the example previously posted he did NOT write that I was yelling at a tourist. He wrote that 1 (one) was yelling at a tourist. I'll give you 2 examples from my life in Thailand. The person who manned the counter at immigration refused to speak English with me and was openly unfriendly. And with my friends as they reported. When I told them my story the laughed a bit and said "OH! You mean the ***t?!" So, that is just the way she was. One day when I arrived it was apparent that high ranking officers were on the scene. That day she was in uniform, usually she was not. And she said to me very clearly "Can I help you sir?" Ultimately I left Thailand and walked away from renewing my retirement visa because of this woman. It turns out I could be in country as much as I wanted to be on a METV.
In my 2nd example I was in country on a multiple entry tourist visa. I have never overstayed or made a problem. I wanted to do a border run in Ranong to stay legal and catch my flight home in 9 days. The man thumbed through my nearly full passport and yelled at me that I was living in Thailand. He never stopped at any specific page. Nothing I could say made a difference and I always stayed polite. So, I'm happy for you but your life does not reflect everyone's. I have also been treated exceptionally well. If awards were handed out I believe that the office in Hua Hin would be a strong contender.  

I've used HHIO, Hua Hin Immigration Office, since 2008.  There is only minor corruption such as a fee for Proof of Residence (driver's license renewal) and for transferring first and last visa stamps when getting a new passport.  It has changed locations several times, about six or seven in all those years.

 

Terry

( a few miles south of Hua Hin )...

6 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

 

He's just acting like the typical Thai male, he just met his match with women who don't bow before his grandiose feeling of importance. He's a God in his own mind, I'm half surprised he didn't tell them "Don't you know who I am?" 

Totally agree,  typical Thai male and thats the problem,this is an example of the vertical, authoritarian use of raw and crude power that many Thais have been made so familiar with since childhood, unfortunately,Because as long as people habitually exercise this kind of raw, vertical power and see it as normal, instead of reporting to reasoning, respect and empathy, it will be difficult to expect Thai society to achieve equality and become truly democratic

This is a great insight into gender roles in Thailand. No matter how much people think the country is paradise, it is still run by middle-aged men with dyed black hair who think they have some inassailable right to run every aspect of the country. IT doesn't do much for Thailand's international image but those in power won't recognise that; they just think it was a man doing his job