Thailand’s Suchata “Opal” Chuangsri crowned Miss World 2025 in historic first win
Suchata “Opal” Chuangsri made history on Saturday evening after being crowned Miss World 2025 in Hyderabad, marking Thailand’s first-ever victory at the prestigious global pageant. The 22-year-old political science student and breast cancer advocate is set to begin a year-long reign focused on empowerment and global health awareness.
- Thailand’s Suchata “Opal” Chuangsri won Miss World 2025, the country’s first-ever victory in the pageant.
- The competition was held in Hyderabad, India, with 108 contestants participating.
- Opal, 22, is a Thammasat University political science student and breast cancer advocate.
- She founded “Opal for Her,” an initiative raising awareness about breast cancer.
- Ethiopia’s Hasset Dereje Admassu was first runner-up, followed by Poland’s Maja Klajda and Martinique’s Aurélie Joachim.
- Her win is expected to boost Thailand’s role in global pageantry and advocacy.
- As Miss World, Opal will undertake international charity and awareness campaigns over the next year.
Thailand is celebrating a landmark achievement after Suchata “Opal” Chuangsri was crowned Miss World 2025 on 27 September, becoming the country’s first-ever titleholder in the 72-year history of the competition.
The grand finale took place at the HITEX Convention Centre in Hyderabad, India, where 108 contestants from around the world competed for the crown. Outgoing Miss World 2024 Krystyna Pyszková of the Czech Republic passed on the title in a glittering ceremony that blended tradition with modern spectacle.
Opal, aged 22, is a political science student at Thammasat University, specialising in international relations. She is also the founder of “Opal for Her,” a campaign dedicated to breast cancer awareness and support. In her victory speech, she described the moment as “not just a personal victory but a shared dream of every young girl who wants to be seen, heard, and to create change.”
Miss World Organisation chairwoman Julia Morley praised the new queen’s commitment to advocacy, calling her “a woman of purpose, with a voice the world is ready to hear.”
Triumph on the Global Stage
This year’s competition opened with a showcase of national costumes, followed by the evening gown segment, before narrowing the field into a continental top 40. Opal secured her place by winning the Asia & Oceania Multimedia Challenge, which highlighted contestants’ digital campaigns and outreach efforts.
From there, she advanced to the top 20 alongside representatives from Brazil, Ethiopia, Poland, India, and the United States. The final four saw Opal crowned as Miss World, with Ethiopia’s Hasset Dereje Admassu named first runner-up, Poland’s Maja Klajda as second runner-up, and Martinique’s Aurélie Joachim as third runner-up.
Standing 180 centimetres tall, Opal hails from Phuket, where her family runs a small business in Old Town. Fluent in Thai, English, and Chinese, she has expressed ambitions to expand her advocacy internationally, particularly through the Miss World platform.
Advocacy and “Beauty with a Purpose”
The Miss World competition, founded in 1951, is the oldest of the international beauty pageants and places strong emphasis on social causes through its “Beauty with a Purpose” initiative. Contestants are judged not only on stage presence and presentation but also on their ability to lead meaningful projects in their communities.
Opal’s “Opal for Her” project focuses on raising breast cancer awareness among young women and improving support for patients. She has been leading the initiative for more than three years, combining education, outreach, and fundraising for care services.
Her win is expected to boost interest in pageantry and social advocacy in Thailand, encouraging more young women to pursue leadership roles in community projects.
A Historic Moment for Thailand
Thailand has seen strong performances at Miss World in past years, but this victory places the Southeast Asian nation in the global spotlight. The achievement is likely to energise Thailand’s pageant community, which has already made waves in Miss Universe and other international contests.
Opal’s alma mater, Thammasat University, also celebrated the news. Known for producing leaders in politics and public service, the institution expressed pride in her accomplishment, noting her combination of academic discipline, social advocacy, and international outlook.
Looking Ahead
As Miss World 2025, Opal will spend the next year travelling for charity events, international engagements, and awareness campaigns. Her focus on women’s health issues and access to care is expected to gain global visibility, further aligning with Miss World’s mission to inspire change.
For many Thais, Opal’s win is not just about beauty or pageantry, but about national pride, empowerment, and representation on the world stage.
