In a dazzling culmination of beauty, grace, and purpose, Opal Suchata Chuangsri has been crowned Miss World 2025, marking a historic moment for Thailand. The 72nd edition of the Miss World pageant, held at the HITEX Exhibition Centre in Hyderabad, Telangana, India, on May 31, 2025, witnessed Suchata become the first-ever winner from Thailand, etching her name in the annals of pageantry history.
The grand finale, hosted by former Miss World 2016 Stephanie Del Valle and Indian television personality Sachiin Kumbhar, brought together 108 contestants from across the globe. The month-long celebration in Telangana showcased historical tours, cultural events, and a global platform for advocacy and empowerment. The competition narrowed down to the top 40, divided into four continental groups, with Suchata securing her place by winning the Asia & Oceania Multimedia Challenge.
Suchata's journey to the crown was not without challenges. At the young age of 16, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent surgery. This experience led her to launch the "Opal For Her" campaign, dedicated to raising awareness about breast health and early detection, showcasing her commitment to women's health and empowerment.
Beyond her advocacy, Suchata is a trilingual (Thai, English, and Chinese) and is currently a political science student at Thammasat University, focusing on international relations. She also has interests in psychology and anthropology, and she aspires to be an ambassador for her country one day. She is also known to be a pet lover with sixteen cats and five dogs. Furthermore, she can play the ukulele backwards, showing her diverse talents.
During the competition, when asked about storytelling and personal responsibility, Suchata said, "I've learned we must become people our loved ones look up to. No matter how far we go, our actions should always speak louder.”
The final rankings saw Hasset Dereje Admassu of Ethiopia as the first runner-up, Maja Klajda of Poland as the second runner-up, and Aurelie Joachim of Martinique as the third runner-up. India's Nandini Gupta, despite a strong performance, did not make it to the Top 8. The Top 8 finalists represented the continents as follows: Brazil and Martinique (Americas and Caribbean), Ethiopia and Namibia (Africa), Poland and Ukraine (Europe), and the Philippines and Thailand (Asia and Oceania).
As the newly crowned Miss World 2025, Suchata expressed her gratitude and vision: "This moment is not just a personal victory, it is a shared dream of every young girl who wants to be seen, heard, and create change. I am honoured to represent this legacy and use my time as Miss World to make a real difference.” She received prize money of Rs 8.5 crore.
Suchata’s win not only marks a personal achievement but also signifies a monumental moment for Thailand, inspiring countless young women to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact on the world. Her reign as Miss World 2025 promises to be one of purpose, passion, and transformative change.
