beauty queen representatives from six countries, including Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Laos, to compete in the 75th Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico to protect dignity, with the following content: Kanom Tarina Botes Miss Universe Thailand 2026, along with contestants from five other countries—Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Laos—to participate in the 75th Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico, in order to protect dignity, with the following content:
"Our stance regarding the representatives of all six countries
After discussions with relevant parties, national organizations, and the six representatives, it has been concluded that representatives from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Laos will not participate in the 75th Miss Universe pageant under the current circumstances.
This non-participation should not be interpreted as a voluntary withdrawal from contractual relationships, relinquishment of MGI's franchise rights, or acceptance of the positions stated in the public statement regarding these six countries.
MGI continues to affirm its contractual rights and explicitly reserves the right to renew, extend, and exercise those rights as per the related contractual agreements.
The six women will maintain their national titles and continue fulfilling their responsibilities within their respective countries, in accordance with relevant agreements.
They will continue to use their platforms and roles to create positive social impact, represent their communities, inspire others, and uphold the values that earned them their national titles.
Their achievements, dignity, and worth cannot be judged based on circumstances beyond their control that prevent them from appearing on an international stage.
MGI stands firmly alongside these six women.
We believe promoting women's potential and rights means more than just including “women's empowerment” in a slogan; it means standing by women when their dignity is challenged.
It means protecting them when their safety or equal treatment cannot be adequately guaranteed.
It means refusing to let women become victims of conflicts between business organizations.
It means ensuring no woman is threatened, denied, discriminated against, or treated differently simply because of disputes she did not create.
The situation surrounding the 75th Miss Universe pageant should not diminish the value of what these six women have accomplished or their ongoing responsibilities to their countries.
They have not relinquished their dignity.
They have not given up their national titles.
Nor has MGI relinquished its contractual rights.
MGI sincerely thanks the public, supporters, national pageant directors, partners, and the beauty pageant communities in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Laos for their understanding and continued support.
The six representatives will continue to serve their countries with pride, create positive community impact, and uphold the values that earned their national titles.
MGI will continue to protect their dignity, rights, and interests.
MGI will also continue to enforce and exercise its contractual rights under the related agreements and laws.
Miss Grand International Public Company Limited
21 October 2026 GMT+7"
Meanwhile, Kanom Tarina Botes posted a photo of herself along with a message to beauty pageant fans after MGI announced its stance not to send her to the 2026 Miss Universe competition, saying:
“To everyone who loves, believes in me, and has stood by me throughout this journey, thank you from the bottom of my heart 懶
Sometimes life doesn't go as we dreamed, but I've learned that not every pause means a step backward, and not every detour takes us away from our dreams. Sometimes the right thing happens at the right time; we may just need time to understand why.
Dreams are not defined by any particular time, title, or stage but by the courage to keep believing, the strength to continue growing, and the grace to move forward even when life takes unexpected turns.
I will never stop dreaming, growing, or believing in the woman I am becoming. For everyone who still believes in me, I hope my path reminds you not to give up on your own dreams.
My story is far from over; this is just another chapter. There are many dreams to chase, beautiful moments to embrace, and many stories yet to unfold.
The sky is not the limit, and the best is yet to come 懶
With all my love, always and forever.
#missuniversethailand”
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