Reigning Miss Universe 2024, Victoria Kjær made a grand entrance in Theilvig, Thailand, marking her first trip to Asia since winning the crown on November 16, 2024, and following her recent trips to Miami and New York, where she gave an exclusive interview. Hello! United States and AmericaAnd setting the Empire State Building alight, the Danish beauty queen continues her whirlwind journey as a global ambassador for the Miss Universe Organization.
© Roy RochlinA warm Thai welcome at Mandarin Oriental
Victoria was given a lavish reception at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Bangkok. Taking to her social media, the new Miss Universe shared glimpses of her luxurious suite, which was decorated with thoughtful welcome gifts.
© Victoria Kjær Thielvig / Miss UniverseHighlights included a stunning collection of Pandora necklaces, bracelets and charms, showcasing the Danish brand’s signature style.
© Victoria Kjær Thielvig / Miss UniverseThailand: A competition-obsessed nation
The visit to Thailand carries special significance as the country is deeply passionate about beauty pageants. However, the results of this year’s Miss Universe caused controversy among Thai fans, who took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their displeasure in believing their representative, Suchata Chuangshree, The crown was unjustly denied.
© Hector VivasSuchta, a 21-year-old Phuket native studying international relations at Thammasat University, drew attention with her eloquence during the question-and-answer round and eventually finished as third runner-up. Thailand, which previously won the Miss Universe crown in 1965 and 1988, eagerly anticipates a third victory – a hope revived every year by her devoted fans.
Annie Jakapong Jakrajutatip defends the trial process
Ann Jakapong Jakrajutatip, CEO of JKN Global Group and co-owner of Miss Universe, responded with a strong response. He called fans’ outrage “ridiculous” and urged critics to get over their frustration. He emphasized that this year’s modified points system evaluates candidates’ performance throughout the competition, not just on the final night.
“A Miss Universe should be a brand ambassador – someone personable, likable and hardworking,” Anne explained. He reiterated that fluency in English is not mandatory, as candidates can answer in their native language as long as their answers are clear and direct.
© Rodrigo VarelaControversial comments beget controversy
During Victoria’s post-crowning press conference, Anne sparked further discussion with her comments about the pageant’s evolution. He commented on Victoria’s Nordic beauty, “We have blonde hair and blue eyes, so we are already coming to the final evolution.” While some fans saw the comment as a humorous observation, others criticized it for undermining the competition’s commitment to diversity.
© Roy RochlinDespite the grumbling, Victoria previously told our publication that as the Miss Universe Global Ambassador, what excites her most about the tour is “everything.” He added, “I can’t wait to travel the world, experience different cultures and connect with local communities. I want to help wherever I can. Although I know I can’t change the entire world, I can make a difference in small ways. If I can If I can help, it will give me a lot of hope.”
