Thailand is now the hottest destination for top international beauty pageants. After being the host country for Miss Universe 2018 at the end of last year, the country will soon welcome another set of international beauty queens that will be competing in the 69th Miss World 2019, which is set for this December.
At the press conference held at Phya Thai Palace in Bangkok earlier this week, Julia Morley, CEO and chairman of the Miss World Organisation, announced that the world-renowned beauty contest will be held for the first time in Thailand later this year. The country's rich culture and hospitality, she said, makes Thailand a perfect place to welcome 130 contestants from around the globe to partake in this event that is aimed as a month-long beauty festival.
Thai organiser Tanawat Wansom from TW Pageants said he was honoured to be the hosting partner of Miss World 2019. The project is a result of an ongoing effort for the past three years. The organiser plans to showcase Thai culture in every dimension of the contest's activities, which will take place in all four regions of Thailand. The exact final date and venue will be revealed later in the year.
Also in attendance at the press conference were the reigning Miss World Vanessa Ponce de Leon from Mexico and her runner-up, Thailand's own Nicolene Pichapa Limsnukan, plus other continental queens. The following day, the beauty queens also participated in Makha Bucha Day's religious activity at Wat Benchamabophit, all dressed in Thai traditional costumes. Miss World is the oldest running international beauty pageant and was created in the United Kingdom in 1951. It aspires to empower young women to use their talents to support the underprivileged through its "Beauty With A Purpose" charitable programme, which is also the pageant's motto. Today, it serves as a platform for women globally to raise awareness and funds for philanthropic, humanitarian causes. Millions of dollars are raised every year through the programme.
