BANGKOK: The Miss Universe Organisation has restricted Miss Universe Thailand director Nawat Itsaragrisil’s participation in events related to this year’s Miss Universe competition after his public confrontation with Miss Universe Mexico, Fatima Bosch,
CNA reported.
Organisation president Raul Rocha announced the move on Wednesday following a livestream in which Itsaragrisil was seen reprimanding contestants over promotional duties.
During the livestream, Itsaragrisil accused Bosch of refusing to post promotional materials about Thailand, citing reports from his staff.
Bosch denied the claim, explaining it was a misunderstanding, but was repeatedly interrupted by Itsaragrisil, who demanded a “yes or no” answer on whether she would promote Thailand.
After Bosch replied in agreement, Itsaragrisil told her to sit down before alleging that Thai authorities had expelled the director of Miss Universe Mexico.
He then insulted Bosch and continued scolding contestants, prompting Bosch and several others, including Miss Universe Canada and Miss Universe Palestine, to walk out.
Bosch later said on social media that Itsaragrisil’s comments were “disrespectful” and that she chose to leave “because dignity matters more than compliance.”
Rocha condemned the behaviour and said Itsaragrisil’s involvement would now be “limited as much as possible or eliminated completely.”
He added that Miss Universe executives and diplomatic experts had been dispatched to Thailand to take control of the event, citing a failure of trust in the local organising team ahead of the Nov 21 pageant.
