Miss Thailand Opal Suchata Chuangsri Crowned Miss World 2025 at 72nd Edition in Hyderabad
Miss Thailand, Opal Suchata Chuangsri, was crowned Miss World 2025 at the 72nd edition of the Miss World pageant, held on Saturday at the HITEX Exhibition Centre in Hyderabad, Telangana. The crown was passed on by Miss World 2024, Krystyna Pyszková, marking the grand finale of weeks of cultural exchange, competition, and global celebration.
The event highlighted the rich cultural diversity of participating nations and showcased the talents, intelligence, and advocacy of women from around the world
Hosted by former Miss World 2016 Stephanie Del Valle and Indian television personality Sachiin Kumbhar, the grand finale of the 72nd Miss World pageant brought together 108 contestants from around the globe at the HITEX Exhibition Centre in Hyderabad, Telangana.
The journey to the crown saw contestants advancing through a series of fast-track events, including the Head-to-Head Challenge, Top Model, Beauty with a Purpose, Talent, Sports, and Multimedia. These events tested their intelligence, talent, social impact, and charisma.
From 108, the contestants were narrowed down to 40 quarterfinalists, then to the Top 10 from each continental group, followed by the Top 5, the Top 2, and finally, the crowning of Opal Suchata Chuangsri of Thailand as Miss World 2025.
The evening was as intellectually charged as it was glamorous. Finalists faced a round of thought-provoking questions posed by a distinguished panel of judges, testing their eloquence, critical thinking, and understanding of global issues.
One of the highlights came when Miss World 2017, Manushi Chhillar, asked Miss Martinique, Aurélie Joachim, a pressing question: “How can world leaders lead with truth in the age of misinformation?”
Miss Joachim’s response resonated with the audience: “We have to take our time to understand what kind of information we have, verify it, and then choose the right response.”
Actor Rana Daggubati posed a question to Miss Ethiopia Hasset Dereje Admassu on how to change the perception of beauty pageants. She replied, “Miss World is more than beauty. I’m the first-ever Ethiopian to reach this stage. It’s about purpose, and it matters to mothers and children across the world.”
The evening also highlighted the contestants’ reflections on personal growth and cultural experiences.
Miss Poland, Maja Klajda, was asked by actor Namrata Shirodkar about an aspect of her experience in Telangana that the headlines couldn’t capture. Ms. Klajda reflected thoughtfully:
“My biggest achievement was overcoming shyness. Telangana’s hospitality reminded me of home—it’s been like a second family. My most memorable moment was witnessing the compassion shown during our visit to a medical tourism facility.”
Actor Sonu Sood posed a profound question to Miss Thailand, Opal Suchata Chuangsri, asking what the journey taught her about storytelling and personal responsibility. Ms. Chuangsri responded with grace:
“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.”
Each continental group produced a winner after a rapid-fire 45-second round where they were asked why they deserved the crown. The continental queens were Miss Martinique (Americas and Caribbean), Miss Ethiopia (Africa), Miss Poland (Europe), and Miss Thailand (Asia and Oceania).
Earlier in the evening, the Top 10 contestants from each region were announced, representing the diverse talents and beauty from around the world. From Asia and Oceania, standout finalists included India, Indonesia, and Thailand. Africa saw strong representation from nations such as Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Namibia. Europe was well-represented by contestants from Ireland, Italy, and Poland, while the Americas and Caribbean featured vibrant contenders from Argentina, Martinique, and the United States, among others.
One of the most anticipated moments of the evening was the announcement of the “Beauty with a Purpose” award. This prestigious title was awarded to Miss Indonesia, Monica Kezia Sembiring, for her outstanding project “Pipeline for Lifeline,” which focuses on improving access to clean water and sanitation in underserved communities
The evening was punctuated by captivating performances, including a spirited Bollywood dance segment by Jacqueline Fernandez and actor Ishaan Khatter, adding a touch of glamour and energy to the celebration. In a moment of recognition for his humanitarian work, actor Sonu Sood was presented with the Miss World Humanitarian Award by Rana Daggubati.
The distinguished panel of judges brought together a diverse range of expertise and perspectives. It included Dr. Carina Tyrell, a public health expert and former Miss England 2014; philanthropist Sudha Reddy; actor and producer Rana Daggubati; Telangana Special Chief Secretary Jayesh Ranjan; Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhillar; actress and former Miss India Namrata Shirodkar; actor and humanitarian Sonu Sood; Donna Walsh, Stage Director for Miss World; and Julia Morley, Chairperson and CEO of Miss World, who announced the final result.
The month-long celebration in Telangana was a vibrant blend of historical tours, cultural showcases, and a global platform for advocacy and empowerment. As Manushi Chhillar beautifully summed up the spirit of the event:
“Isn’t it better to light one candle in the dark than not to see at all? These women are not here just to be admired; they are here to bring change.”
