Miss Thailand runner-up in Miss World contest
Thailand was pipped at the post for this year’s Miss World crown, with Miss Thailand Nicolene Pichapa Limsnukan settling for runner-up to 26-year-old Vanessa Ponce de Leon of Mexico.
Miss Mexico Vanessa Ponce de Leon (C) reacts after winning the 68th Miss World contest final, with runner-up Miss Thailand Nicolene Pichapa Limsnukan (L), Miss Belarus Maria Vasilevich (2L), Miss Jamaica Kadijah Robinson (3R), Miss Panama Solaris Barba (2R) and Miss Uganda Quiin Abenakyo (R) in Sanya on the tropical Chinese island of Hainan on December 8, 2018. // AFP PHOTO
De Leon was crowned the 68th Miss World at the culmination of the pageant held in the Chinese coastal resort of Sanya.
For added entertainment, American disco queens Sister Sledge, performing their 1979 anthem “We Are Family”.
Miss Thailand Nicolene Pichapa Limsnukan (C) reacts as she is announced the runner up in the 68th Miss World final, as Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhillar (L) looks on in Sanya, on the tropical Chinese island of Hainan on December 8, 2018. // AFP PHOTO
Nicolene, crowed Miss Thailand World in Bangkok on September 15, was born in California and raised by a single mum.
The 20-year-old, who studies business at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, also finished in the Top 10 at the Miss Thailand Universe pageant in June.
She has been a regular at beauty competitions since she was six. In 2014, at age 15, she won the Miss Teen Asia USA title.
Thailand never has won a Miss World title.
Miss Mexico Vanessa Ponce de Leon (L) reacts after being announced the winner of the 68th Miss World final, with runner-up Miss Thailand Nicolene Pichapa Limsnukan (R) in Sanya, on the tropical Chinese island of Hainan on December 8, 2018. // AFP PHOTO
It is the eighth time the Miss World final has been held in Sanya, capital of the island province of Hainan, which first hosted the pageant in 2003.
At the finals three years ago, controversy erupted as officials in Hong Kong stopped Miss Canada, Anastasia Lin, from boarding a plane bound for Sanya, telling her she would not receive a visa.
The 25-year old actress claimed the decision was due to her stance on China’s rights record, including its persecution of Falun Gong, a spiritual group of which she is a member.
Miss World 2018 finalists, from left, Miss Belarus Maria Vasilevich, Miss Jamaica Kadijah Robinson, Miss Mexico Vanessa Ponce de Leon, Miss Uganda Quiin Abenakyo and Miss Thailand Nicolene Pichapa Limsnukan stand on stage during the 68th Miss World contest final, in Sanya on the tropical Chinese island of Hainan on December 8, 2018. - Miss Mexico Vanessa Ponce de Leon went on to be crowned Miss World 2018. // AFP PHOTO